About
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. Take the Line to Mallaig to travel the Glenfinnan Viaduct – used in the Harry Potter films for the Hogwarts Express. There’s a lot more to it than that, though. 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 Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The line splits at Crianlarich, carrying you either past Loch Awe to Oban, or high up to Rannoch Moor, through remote wilderness and on to Fort William and Mallaig. You’ll travel through a daunting landscape of mountains, steep-sided lochs, and heather moors. Keep an eye out for red deer, silhouetted on a skyline or half-hidden in the heather. You’ll pass some of the smallest, remotest stations on the network – a few buildings, and nothing more for miles around.
At a glance
- Typical visit: about 3 hours