West Highland Line Experience

West Highland Line Experience Overview

Our unique holiday combines a fabulous day trip in first class on the Jacobite Express steam train, that runs on the final section of the line, from Fort William to Mallaig, with two nights at a small, family-run hotel in the highland village of Spean Bridge. This holiday is a great way to celebrate special occasions, such as landmark birthdays.

With views toward Ben Nevis, your hotel has a popular restaurant serving organic, home-cooked food and has comfortable but informal accommodation. On arrival, you will be greeted with fresh tea and home-made scones. Settle into your room to unwind, or take a stroll down the quiet country lanes for amazing views of Ben Nevis, Loch Lochy and the Great Glen and work up an appetite for dinner. There are comfy sofas and cosy corners in the sitting rooms, with a library of books begging to be looked at and, when the need arises, real fires to warm your toes. This is a perfect haven for a relaxing break whatever time of year, where the pace of life slows the minute you arrive.

The hotel is around a mile from the rail station - and we will arrange both pick up and drop off for you as required. There are many walking trails close to the hotel, including the Great Glen Way, as well as the famous and impressive Commando memorial. Fort William is only 17 minutes away by train.

You will need to catch the morning train from the small local station to catch the special steam train departure, and can return to your hotel by train at the end of the day.

Regularly described as one of the great railway journeys of the world, this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive sites. It starts near the highest mountain in Britain (Ben Nevis), visits Britain's most westerly mainland railway station (Arisaig), then passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain (Loch Morar), and the shortest river in Britain (River Morar) and finally arrives next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe - Loch Nevis. The train leaves Fort William at 10:20 am and returns to Fort William at 4:00 pm with an hour and a half in Mallaig. It's a great way to spend the day!

The train stops en route to Mallaig at the village of Glenfinnan where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745. After crossing the world famous 21 arch Glenfinnan viaduct - used in the Harry Potter movies - there are wonderful views down Loch Shiel. The stop here is long enough for you to stretch your legs and visit the museum in the station buildings.

Beyond are the villages of Lochailort, Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig. On a clear summer's day from Arisaig you can see the "Small Isles" of Rum, Eigg, Muck, Canna and the southern tip of Skye. The train passes Morar and the silvery beaches used in the films "Highlander" and "Local Hero".

The final destination is, of course, Mallaig - not only an access point to the Isle of Skye by ferry but also a thriving fishing community. There is plenty to see and do while in the village and you have time to explore before the return journey to Fort William.