The west highland line runs from glasgow to fort william, the largest town in the west highlands of scotland, and onwards to mallaig, a tiny fishing port and terminal for the ferry to armadale on the isle of skye. In this book, dr john mcgregor uses a wonderful collection of photographs to bring. Rejoin the train in the early afternoon and travel west through falkirk. The west highland line, a scottish railway that appears in the harry potter films as the hogwarts express, could benefit from some tourism. Enjoy afternoon tea as you travel along the edge of gare loch. Combine a walk along the uks most famous national trail with rail travel on one of the worlds best train journeys. This and scotlands other amazing railways pass through some of britains most remote and stunning landscapes, and fascinating towns and villages. West highland line glasgow all you need to know before. The west highland line is without doubt one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world and was recently voted the worlds best rail journey by readers of the travel magazine wanderlust. Take on the challenge of scotlands most famous and one of the worlds greatest long distance trails the west highland way. Garelochhead station was opened in 1894 on the west highland line to oban, mallaig and fort william.
The west highland line features journeys from glasgow to fort william, known as the outdoor capital of the uk, and glasgow to mallaig where the train crosses the glenfinnan viaduct, famous for being featured in the harry potter movies. While the highland line broadly followed the geography of the grampians in the south, it continued in the north, cutting off the northeastern areas, that is eastern caithness, orkney and shetland, from the more gaelic highlands and hebrides. Find all the information you need to immerse yourself into the wild landscapes of scotland and the countrys best loved long distance walking route. Rathad iarainn nan eilean iron road to the isles, is a scenic railway in scotland running from glasgow to fort william and mallaig, with a branch leading to oban from crianlarich. Book your next vacation, or train tour to scotland with great rail journeys, and enjoy the stunning scenery of the west highland line.
Pdf west highland line great railway journeys through time. A guide to travel on the west highland line in scotland, from glasgow to fort. Travel on the greatest railway in the world and stay in an atmospheric lochside hotel on skye. The west highland line is one of its main rural lines, and is serviced by a regular schedule, taking both tourists and commuters along this line. West highland way walking tour wilderness scotland. Excellent book, recommended to rail fans, scots folk and anyone else who is. Opt for a personalized experience of the scottish highlands on a smallgroup day trip from edinburgh, limited to 16 people. Jacobite express steam train on the west highland line. It is that wild and wonderful mix of the likes of rannoch moor and glencoe, passing lochs and waterfalls, streams and striking uplands, all changing by the. Jul 31, 2019 the west highland line, a scottish railway that appears in the harry potter films as the hogwarts express, could benefit from some tourism.
The west highland railway, also known as the west highland line scottish gaelic. Top 10 books about the scottish highlands and islands. Alternatively, enjoy some free time to explore scotlands vibrant capital city. The largest city in scotland and the third most populous in britain was once a thriving centre for ship building and has many interesting attractions on offer. Train holidays in scotland west highland line to skye. The west highland way was scotland s first long distance route and remains by far the most popular. The west highland way stretches 96 miles 154 km from milngavie to fort william. Definitely take a window seat, there will be plenty of beautiful nature to be observed during this 4 hour train ride. Readers of wanderlust travel magazine regularly vote for the west highland line as the best railway journey in the world. The accommodation we use most often is listed below. This and scotland s other amazing railways pass through some of britains most remote and stunning landscapes, and fascinating towns and villages. The mallaig extension was approved in 1894 to provide a continuation of the west highland route for the benefit of the fishing industry on scotland s west coast.
In fact, the line has twice been voted the worlds best rail journey by readers of wanderlust magazine. The line from glasgow to oban, fort william and mallaig is called the west highland line, and is a quite different line. Luckily, weve planned it all out for you with this sevenday itinerary. Travelling between glasgow, oban, fort william, and mallaig, this line covers some of the most beautiful areas of scotland. This itinerary will give you the opportunity to go by train along its entire length and see some of scotland. Considered by many to be the most scenic rail journey in the world, the west highland line leaves glasgow behind and delves deep into the wild west coast.
The west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains by far the most popular. Relive the age of steam with a first class trip on the jacobite express. The line is the westernmost railway line in great britain. West highland line glasgow aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. The lines destinations in oban, fort william, and mallaig are among the most popular tourist locations in scotland, and. For moments in life when you are limited on time but just need to get away from it all, i strongly suggest that you book yourself a ticket on the west highland line. Jun 12, 2017 t he west highland way is the most popular longdistance trail in scotland not at last because it leads through and past some of the most iconic landscapes of the scottish highlands. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. With controversial state aid in place, construction began in 1897 and the extension was opened in 1901. The west highland map friends of the west highland line. You dont want to end up on the wrong one by mistake. The lakes of lochan na hachlaise on the vast peat bogs of rannoch moor in the remote. How far in advance do i need to book tickets on the west.
The jacobite steam train fort william to mallaig, steam train trips in scotland the jacobite steam train, awardwinning west highland line online. West highland line also known as the iron road to the isles, a journey on the west highland line is an epic rail adventure that takes passengers through some of the worlds most beautiful and dramatic landscapes. Places to explore along the west highland line include. This is a side of scotland you can only see from the train a great scenic rail journey that carries you north along the west coast, through the loch. Ideal for visitors with limited time, this guided tour transports you to loch ness and other highland highlights with ease and efficiency. The lakes of lochan na hachlaise on the vast peat bogs of rannoch moor in the remote west highlands of scotland. Each volume in the great railway journeys through time series takes as its starting point a particular railway line, and john mcgregors wonderfully evocative book sets out the story of the original west highland line, which ran from glasgow to fort william scotland is remarkably fortunate. West highland way scotlands best loved long distance. The west highland line is one of two railway lines which access the remote and. West highland line the worlds best rail experience updated in february 2018. Explore this great scenic route, the west highland line, with scotrail. Hop on a train to glasgow and change to the west highland line in the direction of mallaig 3 roundtrips per day. Take a scenic drive from glasgow, and see all the top sights for yourself, experiencing the irresistible charm of the locals at every stop. The west highland railway railways of the scottish highlands.
The west highland railway which was completed in 1894 terminated at fort william, but its promoters rapidly realised that although they had reached the west coast they were still far from the fishing grounds of the minch and the ability to get to market. Capture the spirit of the western highlands and explore scotlands most atmospheric lochs and castles on this small group tour from edinburgh. Includes an illustrated account of a journey on the west highland line, and information about the london to fort william deerstalker sleeper train. The west highland railway was a railway company that constructed a railway line from craigendoran on the river clyde west of glasgow, scotland to fort william and mallaig. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. The lines destinations in oban, fort william, and mallaig are among the most popular tourist locations in scotland, and are the principal economic centres for the region. Dec 19, 2019 hop on a train to glasgow and change to the west highland line in the direction of mallaig 3 roundtrips per day. West highland line glasgow 2020 all you need to know. Travelling by rail is a wonderful way to take in scotland s beauty, particularly if you plan to take the west highland line, hailed as being one of the greatest rail journeys in the world.
West highland way scottish highlands 2020 all you need to. In fact, the line has twice been voted the worlds best rail journey by. The west highland line and its worldfamous glenfinnan viaduct have been immortalised in the harry potter books. Take the line to mallaig to travel the glenfinnan viaduct used in the harry potter films for the hogwarts express. The jacobite may also stop at arisaig by request to the guard. Top 10 books about the scottish highlands and islands books. The west highland line features journeys from glasgow to fort william, known as the outdoor capital of the uk, and glasgow to mallaig where the train crosses. Using the spirit of scotland travelpass, you can start in glasgow and experience. One of a series of books telling the story of the railways of the scottish highlands, this book deals specifically with the west highland railway. It revived, more ambitiously, the fort william to roshven line lost in 1889. Once stopped in glenfinnan station there will be time to stretch your legs and, if you wish, visit the west highland railway museum located in the restored station building. May, 2017 garelochhead station was opened in 1894 on the west highland line to oban, mallaig and fort william. West highland railway line oban fort william mallaig.
The train may pause on the viaduct, time permitting, to allow you to take in the magnificent view. Description of west highland line railway holiday in scotland the west highland line is considered by many train aficionados to be one of the finest rail journeys anywhere in the world. The west highland line guide to britains most scenic train journey. Stretching for 151km from milngavie on the edge of glasgow to fort william at the foot of ben nevis, the route offers a fabulous introduction to the scottish highlands. Alternatively, enjoy some free time to explore scotland s vibrant capital city. Most of the line is a twisting single track railway through fabulous highland scenery. Historically, the highland line distinguished the two scottish cultures. The duration of the journey is that of a flight from scotland to north africa, but. The west highland line is one of two railway lines which access the remote and mountainous west coast of scotland, the other being the kyle of lochalsh line which connects inverness with kyle of lochalsh. The west highland line is renowned world over for its engineering and glorious scenery, with a route that brings new and stunning views at every turn. You may be retracing the same scottish rail line, but the direction of travel, weather and light are all. Garelochhead railway station, west highland line, scotland. To avoid any potential confusion, let me point out that this is not the highland line, which is the railway from perth to inverness. Enjoy the finest of scotlands regal castles and lochs on this west highlands tour from edinburgh.
The mallaig extension was approved in 1894 to provide a continuation of the west highland route for the benefit of the fishing industry on scotlands west coast. It still serves as a base for engineering work on the line. The line was built through remote and difficult terrain in two stages. West highland railway line oban fort william mallaig scotrail.
The west highland line guide to britains most scenic train. The west highland lines pass through scotlands first national park and a vast area of the west highlands with world renowned beauty. Travelling by rail is a wonderful way to take in scotlands beauty. Trains are frequent look up times and take approximately 1 hr 5 minutes. Explore scotland to its fullest, from its mustsee destinations such as edinburgh, glasgow, inverness, aberdeen, stirling and more to the breathtaking landscapes of its northern region. Feb 07, 2018 top 10 books about the scottish highlands and islands.
Near the mouth of the clyde estuary lies craigendoran, the starting point for the majestic west highland line. Considered by many to be the most scenic rail journey in the world, the west highland line leaves glasgow behind and. And rightly so, as it is not only the most scenic train route in britain, but one of my personal favourites as well as you can do this trip all year round. This guide to walking the west highland way contains all the information you could need along the route, a detailed faq with trail information and some tips. Immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery as you walk through the beautiful landscapes of loch lomond, rannoch moor and glencoe. Each volume in the great railway journeys through time series takes as its starting point a particular railway line, and john mcgregors wonderfully evocative book sets out the story of the original west highland line, which ran from glasgow to fort william.
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