Oban to Mallaig by train

Looks like a 9-11 hr round trip.

It can be done.
In both directions you have to change at Crianlarich-
Oban d 0857 Crianlarich 1008/1021 Mallaig 1338;
Mallaig 1605 Crianlarich 1922/2014 Oban 2126

The usual advice would be to go to Fort William by Citylink Coach then
FW d 1212 Mallaig 1338;
Mallaig 1605 Fort William 1728

The Coach is Oban d 0930 FW a 1105;
FW d 1750 Oban a 1923

Great...thank you both for the information!

Hi, billkinyon,

Looking at these schedules, it appears that you'd only have two hours and 27 minutes on the ground in Mallaig. That's a heck of a lot of travelling (albeit scenic) to spend just over two hours in Mallaig. Have you considered spending a night in Mallaig so that you have an opportunity to see more of the town? Most of the guidebooks denigrate Mallaig, but I find it charming. I could spend two hours in the Mission bookshop alone, or watching the ferries and fishing boats as they enter and leave the port.

If you stayed overnight, upon your afternoon arrival you could take the Western Isles Cruises ferry out to Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula. If you take the 2:15 p.m. sailing, the boat makes an extra stop at Tarbet. It's a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon. (Unless, like the last time we sailed, there was a gale blowing up, and the deck was awash!) There is a toilet on the boat, and they also provide a good selection of whisky.

Anyway, if you can spend more time in Mallaig, I'm sure that you will not regret it.

Don't forget to visit Kerrera while you're in Oban. Good half day hike, with a visit to Gylen Castle and the tearoom.

Very best wishes,

Mike (Auchterless)

Thank you, Mike! Those are some great ideas...I'll work on adjusting our schedule in light of what you've said.

The other great boat trip to do out of Mallaig is the Cal Mac ferry to the Small Isles- Muck, Eigg, Rhum and Canna. Some days you have time to get off at one of the islands for a few hours, but even the non landing round trip is totally worth it. Which island depends on the day of the week.
Some of the islands can also be visited on a private fast ferry from Arisaig.
Not all islands are visited every day, remote Canna especially.
In particular Rhum is worth the stop over, for the marvellous Kinloch Castle, and it's deer herds.
I once spent a whole week island hopping on that boat. A fantastic week.
Rhum is variously spelt as Rhum and Rum

Thank you, isn31c! I'll look into those as well. There is always such great information and advice on this forum.

Hi, once again, billkinyon,

In addition to the information already provided, there is a great hike out of Mallaig if you enjoy a good low level hike. This should only be undertaken if you are planning on staying overnight in Mallaig.

From Mallaig, take a taxi to Bracorina. From there, there is a five mile hike along the west shore of Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, and home to Nessie's cousin Morag. The path is signposted as seven miles, but it's actually five miles. About four miles in, you'll pass the remote cottage at Swordland. Just past there, you'll turn left on a wide path, which will take you down to the isolated hamlet of Tarbet on the shore of Loch Nevis.

If you're there at 3:30 on a weekday, you'll be picked up by the Western Isles Knoydart ferry/mailboat, and taken back to Mallaig. There is a bothy at Tarbet, and last time we were there, the toilet worked! The beach at Tarbet has a couple of picnic tables, and is a great place to sit and ruminate over what you've just accomplished.

The walk takes about three hours, or more if you take a lot of photos. There is one small section of rock scrambling near the shore of the loch, but almost the entire hike is low level.

The boat should be pre-booked. You'll pay once you're on board.

The ferry is scheduled to arrive back at Mallaig at 5:00, which would give you time for a fish supper at the railway station before catching the 6:15 train back to Fort William.

Have fun!

Mike (Auchterless)

Thank you, Mike. That hike sounds wonderful. I don't know if we will be able to work that in this time, but maybe if we can ever make another trip to Scotland.....