Destination West Highland Railway

Hi Idowdit, You know that you posted this in the England forum, right? :) It might have been better posted in the Scotland Forum. There is a difference and just to catch you up on the current events, there will be a referendum in September on Scottish independence from Great Britain.

That said, you can take the train from Glasgow north to Mallaig. This train goes up the west side of Scotland and to Fort William. It then takes the famous route to Mallaig. You can take a steam train. But there is no train connecting Fort William to Inverness. You need to make a bus connection. So, you have lots of options. You can take the train to Mailaig, come back to Fort William and take the bus from there to Inverness. Or, you could take the ferry from Mallaig to Skye, spend the night there, and catch the bus the next day to Kyle of Lochalsh and take the train to Inverness. With the latter plan you will travel on the two most beautiful train rides.

I've not plotted out the connections. Calmac can tell you about ferry schedules. Check with Stagecoach for the bus schedules from Armadale to Kyle of Lochalsh. [Scotrail][3] has all the train schedules.

Pam

Thanks, Pam. Here's the ScotRail link again: http://www.scotrail.co.uk/.

Thanks Laura. Don't know what happened to my link! :(

Pam

Pamela - and Laura - thank you! I realize my mistake - this whole journey is one continuous adventure in my mind and I hadn't remembered to stop and change country names in the travel forum:) Apologies.
But, I like your suggestion and I will investigate a night on the Isle of Skye and then onto Inverness. I had given up seeing Skye because I thought there wouldn't be time, but I guess it is one night wherever we stay and as long as we can make it to Inverness the next day we will still be hitting the other sights we would like to see. Plus, it gives us two legs of extra beautiful train travel - which we will love!!!
So, I will begin to explore the details. I do appreciate your input. Thank you for your time - and patience!
Ann

If you are planning to stay the night in Inverness, I would highly recommend St Ann's Guest House(www.stannshouse.com).

Thanks Joel! We would need the family room - but I sent in an inquiry:) Looks fantastic - appreciate your help:)
Ann

Allow me to add something that will make this come alive and will make you drool in anticipation : Go to Youtube and find " Great British Railway Journeys " S (eries ) 2 . EP ( isode ) 21 . This 2 1/2 hour travelogue is presented by former MP Michael Portillo and is part of a popular ( across the pond ) series , now in its fifth incarnation . Shown on youtube in thirty minute segments ( at the end of each part , click in the upper left corner to continue on . This particular trip takes you from Alloway , just south of Ayr , to the Isle of Skye via Oban and Fort William to Mallaig . You will see the Glenfinnan Viaduct and monument and the Jacobite Steam Train as you approach Mallaig . You will also polish your knowledge of Scottish history , and as a result , appreciate your trip all the more .I also agree with Pam that taking the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale and picking up the train in the Kyle of Localsh is a splendid idea . I will be there myself this fall and will have a car , so I may ferry to Skye at that point . Hopefully you will have some time in Glasgow before you board the train , it's a great place with lots of history and much to see , if you know where to look !