Railline › West Highland Line: Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig
West Highland Line: Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig
The West Highland Line runs from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban and Mallaig, over Rannoch Moor and past the Glenfinnan Viaduct. It is often named among the best railway journeys anywhere.
Route and length
From Glasgow Queen Street the line follows the Gare Loch and Loch Lomond to Crianlarich, where it splits. One branch goes to Oban (67.5 km), the other to Fort William (101.7 km from Craigendoran), and from there the Mallaig extension runs another 66.5 km. Wikipedia gives the total as 331.1 km with 33 stations. Wanderlust readers voted it the world's top rail journey in 2009.
Operator
Operator (checked November 2026): ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper run passenger services; both are publicly run in Scotland (the sleeper by Transport Scotland). West Coast Railways runs the steam-hauled Jacobite between Fort William and Mallaig from May to October, once a day in May, September and October and twice a day from June to August.
Opening
The section from Craigendoran to Fort William opened on 11 August 1894. The West Highland Railway approved the Mallaig extension in January 1895.
Rannoch Moor and Corrour
After Bridge of Orchy the line climbs onto Rannoch Moor, up to Rannoch station. Snow is common in winter and deer are often seen by the track. The summit of the line is at 1,347 feet (410 m) near Corrour, one of the most remote stations in Britain and not reachable by public road. It is a popular stop for walkers.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
The viaduct on the Fort William to Mallaig section is famous as a filming location for the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. Other highlights include views of the Small Isles from Arisaig and the white sands at Morar, both on the Mallaig branch.
Planning a trip
Seat reservations are worth checking, and in winter weather can disrupt services. Compare this with the other scenic railways on our scenic lines page, and for the far north of Scotland see the Far North Line.
Visiting tips
Many people take the Glasgow to Mallaig service as a day trip, but a night in Fort William or Mallaig makes it easier. Corrour station is a base for walkers who want to cross Rannoch Moor on foot. Book a seat on the Jacobite steam train well ahead if you want to take it. As on any rural line, trains are infrequent, so confirm the last train home before you set out.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fort William branch | 101.7 km |
| Oban branch | 67.5 km |
| Mallaig section | 66.5 km |
| Summit | 1,347 ft (410 m) near Corrour |
| Opened to Fort William | 11 August 1894 |
The track, stations and signalling are owned and managed by Network Rail. For live times, fares and engineering works, use National Rail Enquiries or the operator's website.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the West Highland Line?
About 331 km in total, including the Oban and Mallaig branches, with 33 stations.
Is the Glenfinnan Viaduct on this line?
Yes, on the Fort William to Mallaig section. It featured as the Hogwarts Express route in the Harry Potter films.
When does the Jacobite run?
From May to October, once daily in May, September and October and twice daily June to August, run by West Coast Railways.