Photo: Eightalbumdeal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe other arm of the West Highland Line, dividing at Crianlarich and running past Loch Awe and the Pass of Brander to the ferry port of Oban.
Oban trains share the West Highland Line from Glasgow along the Clyde, Gare Loch and Loch Lomond as far as Crianlarich, where the train divides or where connections are made. From there the Oban portion drops down Glen Lochy to Dalmally and along the north shore of Loch Awe, passing the ruin of Kilchurn Castle at the loch head.
The line then squeezes through the Pass of Brander beneath Ben Cruachan, guarded since 1882 by Anderson's Piano, a wire fence that trips signals if a boulder falls on the line. It runs alongside Loch Etive to Connel Ferry, where the cantilever Connel Bridge is visible, and descends into Oban with views of Kerrera and Mull.
Oban itself is the ferry hub for Mull, Iona, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and the Outer Hebrides, and a day return from Glasgow is comfortable.
Ben Lui, Kilchurn Castle and Loch Awe through the Pass of Brander are on the left after Crianlarich; Loch Lomond, earlier, is on the right.
Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.
Most Glasgow departures run as one train to Crianlarich then divide into Oban and Fort William portions; check the coach labels before boarding.
Oban station is beside the CalMac terminal; the Mull ferry runs several times a day and is usually timed to trains.
Very. Two-car units can be full on summer Saturdays, so board early at Glasgow.
Scenic lineOften voted the world's most scenic railway: Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Ben Nevis and Glenfinnan Viaduct on one ordinary ScotRail ticket.
Scenic lineCoast-to-coast across the Highlands from Inverness to the Skye ferry port, ending on a shelf blasted along the shore of Loch Carron.
Scenic lineBritain's most northerly railway, wandering 168 miles from Inverness along firths and through the Flow Country to Thurso and Wick.