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The West Highland Line is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, and with good reason. This legendary railway takes you through sweeping Scottish fields, past shimmering lochs and across vast stretches of moorland that are otherwise hard to reach. It is one of the most impressive scenic trains you can take in Europe. The journey combines technical achievement with natural beauty. From your seat you look out over some of the most remote wilderness in Great Britain. Discover why this Scottish railway is so special and how to plan this trip yourself.
Why the West Highland Line is so special
The railway owes its reputation to the striking geographical contrasts you encounter along the way. The route passes through Scotlands first national park and showcases, in just a few hours, the very best of the Scottish Highlands. You travel from the urban surroundings of Glasgow to the rugged northern coastlines, passing empty hillsides, deep glens and clear lochs along the way.
The line is internationally recognised as one of the most beautiful in the world, thanks in part to the views of areas that are difficult to access by other means. For visitors who want to discover Scotland without strenuous effort, this train journey offers a unique way to reach the heart of the Highlands. The route gained extra fame through the Harry Potter films, in which certain sections were used for film scenes.
Fort William lies at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain range in the United Kingdom.
The route and main destinations
The West Highland Line has a total length of 180 miles and splits into two main lines. Both routes depart from Glasgow Queen Street, the starting point of your journey. The train leaves the city and initially follows the River Clyde before the landscape changes dramatically.
Glasgow to Oban
This western route branches off at Crianlarich and follows a 40-mile stretch along Loch Awe to Oban. The harbour town of Oban is a popular destination for travellers heading onwards to the islands of the Inner Hebrides.
Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig
This is the main line of the West Highland Line. From Crianlarich you travel north through the wild Rannoch Moor to Fort William. This is a distance of 100 miles from Craigendoran. Fort William lies at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain range in the United Kingdom. From Fort William the line continues for a further 40 miles to Mallaig, a small fishing village on the west coast.
Highlights along the line
The train journey offers a series of iconic landscapes that you can admire from your seat. Each section of the route has its own character and atmosphere.
- Loch Lomond and the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park offer lush green views and stretches of water
- The vast Rannoch Moor is one of the last great wilderness areas in Europe, a bare moorland spanning more than 50 square kilometres
- Glen Coe features dramatic mountain peaks and deep valleys familiar from countless films and stories
- The route to Mallaig runs along the Atlantic coast with views of islands and open sea
The railway cuts through terrain that was technically challenging. Opening up this area required complex infrastructure. Building the line through such remote country made certain parts of the Highlands accessible to visitors for the first time.
Practical travel information for your planning
The train stops at various stations where you can get on or off. This gives you flexibility if you want to combine the journey with walking or visiting sights.
Main stations
On the way you can make use of the following stations:
- Glasgow Queen Street (starting point)
- Tarbet
- Ardlui
- Crianlarich (junction for Oban)
- Tyndrum
- Bridge of Orchy
- Fort William
- Mallaig (end point)
Journey time
The full journey from Glasgow to Mallaig takes 5 hours and 20 minutes. If you opt for the route to Oban, you will be on the train for 3 hours from Glasgow. These times vary depending on the season and the timetable.
Always book this train in advance.
How to reach the West Highland Line
From Edinburgh you travel via Glasgow Queen Street station. This connection takes around 50 minutes and there are frequent trains between the two cities. From Glasgow Queen Street trains depart towards the Highlands.
You can book tickets in advance online or buy them at the station. Reserve seats during the high season, especially for the popular stretches. The Jacobite steam train is a tourist variant. It runs during the season. Always book this train in advance.
Combining with other transport
The West Highland Line connects with other public transport. From various stations you can, for example, take buses or water taxis. The A82 is an important bus route that stops at Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Glencoe and Fort William. On Loch Lomond there are waterbus taxi services. These operate from April to October.
Some attractions are not directly next to a station. For local transport to these places you can use taxi companies. Taxi firms generally charge per kilometre from their base. Check the costs in advance.
Combining with walking
The railway line works very well in combination with walking in the Highlands. You can get off at several stations and start a walk straight away. The route intersects the famous West Highland Way. This is a long-distance walking trail of 154 kilometres from Milngavie to Fort William.
Many travellers combine train journeys with walking stages. These are sections of a footpath that you walk in a single day. You walk certain parts of the West Highland Way and then take the train to the next starting point. This offers flexibility and makes the route accessible for different fitness levels. You dont have to walk the entire trail to experience the beauty of the Highlands on foot.
Best time to travel
The West Highland Line is open to rail traffic all year round. Each season has its own charms and things to consider.
In spring and summer the landscape is in full bloom and the days are longer. The Jacobite steam train runs from April to October. Waterbus taxi services on Loch Lomond also operate in these months.
In autumn the Scottish landscape shows warm colours and the area is less busy. In winter the landscape has a bare, rugged character and you may be treated to snow-covered peaks. Do bear in mind the shorter days and reduced timetables.
The train became world-famous thanks to its role in the Harry Potter films.
The Jacobite steam train
The Jacobite is a popular tourist attraction. This train runs on the stretch from Fort William to Mallaig. The steam train uses historic rolling stock and offers a nostalgic experience. The train became world-famous thanks to its role in the Harry Potter films.
The Jacobite runs only during the tourist season and must be booked in advance. It is a different experience to the regular train service, but follows the same spectacular route along the west coast.
Discover more
On the Traveler Tips website you will find more information about train journeys across Europe. Discover, for example, the most beautiful routes through the Swiss Alps, or the train stations where you need to change for your Interrail route through Scandinavia.
Frequently asked questions
The West Highland Line runs from Glasgow Queen Street via Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy to Fort William, with branches towards Oban (westwards from Crianlarich along Loch Awe) and onwards from Fort William to Mallaig. Historically, the line begins at Craigendoran, where it splits from the GlasgowHelensburgh line. Along the way the route passes iconic landscapes such as Loch Lomond and the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, the vast Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe and the hills and glens of Argyll. Other key sights include Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis and the coastal towns of Oban and Mallaig, while parts of the line are world-famous thanks to the Jacobite steam train and their role in the Harry Potter films.
The best combination of views and comfort is usually from the end of April through to the beginning of October. In May and June the days are long, nature is a fresh green and it is often relatively quiet. July and August offer the greatest chance of buzz and tourist facilities, but also more crowds. In September the autumn colours are spectacular and the weather is often still mild with fewer visitors.
You can book tickets for the West Highland Line via the ScotRail website or app, through national platforms such as National Rail (UK), or in person at the ticket office at larger stations like Glasgow Queen Street. Ideally reserve a window seat; when travelling towards Fort William and Mallaig the right-hand side is often recommended for the best views of, among other things, Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor. If available, choose a quiet coach or a standard carriage without aisle tables if you want to enjoy the scenery without interruption. In busy seasons (springautumn), it is wise to book early to keep a good choice of seats.
You can easily integrate the West Highland Line into a round trip by travelling from Glasgow to Fort William or Mallaig and then returning by hire car or bus along the A82 via Glencoe and Loch Lomond. For example, combine the GlasgowFort William train with a continuation by train or car to Oban so you can experience both the coast and the Highlands. For an active trip you can walk sections of the West Highland Way and use the train to hop between different starting and finishing points. It is best to plan between April and October, when additional bus and boat services around Loch Lomond are also running.
Take light, easy-to-carry luggage and keep valuables (camera, documents, medication) in a small daypack that stays with you. For food and drink it is sensible to bring your own picnic and enough water, as facilities on board and along the way may be limited. For photography, a window seat on the right side of the train is important (towards Mallaig preferably on the left for the Glenfinnan Viaduct), and keep your camera or phone close to hand. Wear layers, as the temperature in the Highlands can change quickly and it may feel chilly on the train or at intermediate stations.
