Considering most train prices this is an absolute bargain! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/rail-journeys/the-25-greatest-train-journeys-in-the-world/
Scotland’s wild and wonderful west coast is yours to experience and savour when you take a trip on the West Highland Line. The line splits some 40 miles north of its starting point in Glasgow and offers two wonderful trips, carrying travellers either across to the west coast and Oban, or northward to Fort William.
Journey time
Glasgow to Oban - approx 3 hours 20 minutes
Glasgow to Fort William - approx 3 hours 50 minutes
The route
Leaving Glasgow, you’ll be amazed by how quickly the urban landscape is replaced by lush glens, soaring hills and tranquil, contemplative lochs.
You’ll skirt along the banks of the River Clyde, passing Dumbarton and Helensburgh before following the Gare Loch to the town which bears its name. The route then turns inland again, travelling by Loch Long towards a rendezvous with the northern edges of Loch Lomond.
You’ll be able to take in wonderful south-facing views across the water as you make the short hop to the north east and Crianlarich where the line divides.
Westward to Oban...
Through the stunning Glen Lochy, you’ll pass Kilchurn Castle as you begin a scenic sweep along the north edge of Loch Awe, an edge defined by Ben Cruachan’s imposing majesty. As you leave the loch behind, the track will take you along the banks of the River Awe, and towards Loch Etive, along whose southern shore you’ll complete your journey. Passing the town of Connel you’ll see the Falls of Lora as Etive narrows and the sea tides are compressed into frothing rapids. And then beyond the Connel Bridge and to Oban itself, where ferries await to transport you across the sea to the islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
...or North to Mallaig
Striking upwards from Crianlarich you’ll find no shortage of spectacle, with the remarkable Horseshoe Curve bending dramatically to the east and west before resuming the northward journey.
Bridge of Orchy offers sightseers a gateway to Loch Tulla to the north, which your train will pass before traversing the incredible emptiness of Rannoch Moor, a wild open space with great hills and mountains on all sides. You’ll pass the UK’s highest altitude train station in Corrour (scene of one of the most famous scenes featuring Ewan McGregor and friends in Trainspotting), savour the views along the length of Loch Treig and then turn sharply west towards Fort William, which you’ll reach after passing to the north of the towering Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak.
Top comments
lazyfatboy
18 Jan 177#7
If you're of the type that likes a trip through a beautiful part of the world with lovely scenery, yes it is. If you're the impatient halfwit sort, then maybe not...
yorxman
18 Jan 176#12
The deal is about the journey & NOT the destination ffs & has nowt to do with trainspotting apart from the fact that one of the stations on route was in the original film!
pscotty
18 Jan 176#3
This is a brilliant trip, which I do every couple of years. £5 each way tickets are limited availability – when they’re gone, I believe the next tier is £7.50. Railcard discounts apply, so us oldies can do Glasgow to Mallaig for £6.60 return. It’s a great day out – dep Glasgow 0806 arr Mallaig 1334; dep Mallaig d 1605 arr Glasgow 2137.
It’s not a Trainline promotion – the tickets are available from all ticket retailers. Why not buy direct from Scotrail and avoid The Trainline’s charges?
pscotty
18 Jan 175#6
It may not be your idea of a grand day out, but it is mine!
All comments (37)
joemugg
18 Jan 17#1
link doesn't work
yorxman to joemugg
18 Jan 17#2
can't get it to work for some reason
pscotty
18 Jan 176#3
This is a brilliant trip, which I do every couple of years. £5 each way tickets are limited availability – when they’re gone, I believe the next tier is £7.50. Railcard discounts apply, so us oldies can do Glasgow to Mallaig for £6.60 return. It’s a great day out – dep Glasgow 0806 arr Mallaig 1334; dep Mallaig d 1605 arr Glasgow 2137.
It’s not a Trainline promotion – the tickets are available from all ticket retailers. Why not buy direct from Scotrail and avoid The Trainline’s charges?
yorxman to pscotty
18 Jan 17#4
There are no charges if you collect tickets from local station before travelling
muffboy to pscotty
18 Jan 17#5
So you get a couple of hours and then have to head home, hardly a day out is it?
SLIM_JIM to pscotty
18 Jan 172#18
Cheers for the tip , can get two singles each way for only £3.30 each way with a two together card - unbelievable price for the length of journey.
pscotty
18 Jan 175#6
It may not be your idea of a grand day out, but it is mine!
lazyfatboy
18 Jan 177#7
If you're of the type that likes a trip through a beautiful part of the world with lovely scenery, yes it is. If you're the impatient halfwit sort, then maybe not...
custommade07
18 Jan 17#8
Cracking price, all the way to Mallaig for a fiver. Amazing!
geeadamg
18 Jan 172#9
I booked this other week at this price via ScotRail website for a trip in February. Bargain price. Also added two bike reservations at no extra cost.
Heat added
yorxman
18 Jan 173#10
5hrs 30mins x 2 does not equal a couple of hours! Muffboy...I can think of a name more relevant :innocent:
muffboy
18 Jan 17#11
arr Mallaig 1334; dep Mallaig d 1605 equates to 2 hours and 31 minutes unless I am mistaken?
I would not class 5.5 hours each way stuck on a train as any part of a day out, the rest of you are obviously dreaded trainspotters or something even more sinister.
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
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Opening post
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/rail-journeys/the-25-greatest-train-journeys-in-the-world/
Scotland’s wild and wonderful west coast is yours to experience and savour when you take a trip on the West Highland Line. The line splits some 40 miles north of its starting point in Glasgow and offers two wonderful trips, carrying travellers either across to the west coast and Oban, or northward to Fort William.
Journey time
Glasgow to Oban - approx 3 hours 20 minutes
Glasgow to Fort William - approx 3 hours 50 minutes
The route
Leaving Glasgow, you’ll be amazed by how quickly the urban landscape is replaced by lush glens, soaring hills and tranquil, contemplative lochs.
You’ll skirt along the banks of the River Clyde, passing Dumbarton and Helensburgh before following the Gare Loch to the town which bears its name. The route then turns inland again, travelling by Loch Long towards a rendezvous with the northern edges of Loch Lomond.
You’ll be able to take in wonderful south-facing views across the water as you make the short hop to the north east and Crianlarich where the line divides.
Westward to Oban...
Through the stunning Glen Lochy, you’ll pass Kilchurn Castle as you begin a scenic sweep along the north edge of Loch Awe, an edge defined by Ben Cruachan’s imposing majesty. As you leave the loch behind, the track will take you along the banks of the River Awe, and towards Loch Etive, along whose southern shore you’ll complete your journey. Passing the town of Connel you’ll see the Falls of Lora as Etive narrows and the sea tides are compressed into frothing rapids. And then beyond the Connel Bridge and to Oban itself, where ferries await to transport you across the sea to the islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
...or North to Mallaig
Striking upwards from Crianlarich you’ll find no shortage of spectacle, with the remarkable Horseshoe Curve bending dramatically to the east and west before resuming the northward journey.
Bridge of Orchy offers sightseers a gateway to Loch Tulla to the north, which your train will pass before traversing the incredible emptiness of Rannoch Moor, a wild open space with great hills and mountains on all sides. You’ll pass the UK’s highest altitude train station in Corrour (scene of one of the most famous scenes featuring Ewan McGregor and friends in Trainspotting), savour the views along the length of Loch Treig and then turn sharply west towards Fort William, which you’ll reach after passing to the north of the towering Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak.
Top comments
It’s not a Trainline promotion – the tickets are available from all ticket retailers. Why not buy direct from Scotrail and avoid The Trainline’s charges?
All comments (37)
It’s not a Trainline promotion – the tickets are available from all ticket retailers. Why not buy direct from Scotrail and avoid The Trainline’s charges?
Heat added
I would not class 5.5 hours each way stuck on a train as any part of a day out, the rest of you are obviously dreaded trainspotters or something even more sinister.