A Scotrail 156 Sprinter crossing Loch Awe near Dalmally
© Scotrail / Tony Hardley
4-Day West Highland Railway Line itinerary
The West Highland Line is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world.
This train line runs from Glasgow north to Crianlarich. One route then goes west past Loch Awe to Oban, or north through Rannoch Moor to Fort William and Mallaig. Or you can do both!
This itinerary gives you ideas for things to do in the four main locations - Glasgow, Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.
Get the Spirit of Scotland Travelpass for your train travel, which gives you 4 days unlimited travel for £149 or 8 days unlimited travel (over 15 days) for £189.
From 10 July ScotRail is operating a temporary timetable to provide a more reliable service for passengers.
- Start / Finish
- Glasgow City Centre / Skye
- Days4
- Distance134Miles214km
- TransportTrain
- Main themeLandscapes
- Highlights
- Fascinating museums
- A ferry journey to an island
- A mountain gondola
- Beautiful Highland scenery
- Areas covered
- West
Day 1Glasgow
Glasgow makes a perfect starting point with its great travel links to the rest of Scotland, the United Kingdom and indeed the world. It's tempting to hop straight on the train and head to the West Highlands but then you'd miss all the wonders of Glasgow! Take a day to see some of the city's highlights before you start your rail adventure. Consider taking the City Sightseeing Bus, which links these great attractions.
The city also has a public cycle hire scheme provided by Nextbike. The scheme offers 500 bikes for public hireat 67 locations across the city.
Riverside Museum and Tall Ship Glasgow City Centre
Riverside Museum
The Riverside Museum is a visual feast - the building itself is one of the most striking modern buildings in Scotland. Inside, the museum houses all kinds of exhibits related to transport. Vehicles, bikes, and locomotives dating from different periods can be found. In addition, you can also explore the Clyde-built Tall Ship, which is berthed alongside the museum.
Find out more about Riverside Museum and Tall Ship100 Pointhouse Place,Glasgow City Centre,G3 8RSKelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum Glasgow West End
Exterior of the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Glasgow's trendy West End is home to Kelvingrove, a free museum packed with over 8,000 intriguing objects and artefacts. The museum houses an extraordinary collection of art, from the Dutch Old Masters and the French Impressionists, to perhaps its most famous piece, Christ of St John of the Cross by Salvador Dali.
Find out more about Kelvingrove Art Gallery & MuseumArgyle Street,Glasgow West End,G3 8AGUNESCO City of Music Glasgow
Glasgow Music City Tours showcase, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Glasgow's reputation for live music is legendary; so much so that the city has been given UNESCO City of Music status.
Why not catch a gig or a concert in one of its amazing venues? The OVO Hydro hosts all the big-name stars. You can experience roots, classical and world sounds at the Glasgow Royal ConcertHall, or see up-and-coming indie artists at the small but perfectly formed King Tut's Wah Wah Hut.
Find out more about UNESCO City of Music
Day 2Oban
Board an early train and take the West Highland Line to Oban, a journey which reveals Scotland's great geographic contrasts. Along the way you'll travel alongside the River Clyde, through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, passing the hills and glens of Argyll, before finally ending up at this cheery seaside town where the train terminates.
McCaig's Tower Oban
McCaig's Tower, Oban
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Stretch your legs by taking the short climb from Oban town centre up to McCaig's Tower to admire the views across the bay and towards the isles.
Find out more about McCaig's TowerDuncraggan Road,Oban,PA34 5DPOban Distillery Oban
Oban Distillery & Visitor Centre
Situated in the heart of Oban, take a tour and discover the history of entrepreneurial brothers Hugh and John Stevenson who founded the distillery. Choose from two tours, and let the knowledgeable tour guides tell you about the seven men who make the Oban Single Malt. 'Old Teddy' is exclusive to the distillery and was inspired by the unique and personal stories of the Maclean family, who have served the distillery on Scotland's west coast for three generations.
Find out more about Oban DistilleryStafford Street,Oban,PA34 5NHGateway to the isles Oban
Oban Harbour and Pulpit Hill seen from McCaigs Tower at dawn
From Oban you can visit Colonsay, Islay, Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree and Barra. Once you're on the islands, enjoy a variety of outdoor activities from cycling to hillwalking, or stay out on the water with boat tours or kayaking. There are ferries between the islands, and day trips and tours to choose from.
Find out more about the Gateway to the Isles
Day 3Fort William
Day 4Mallaig
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