Photo: Kabelleger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsOften voted the world's most scenic railway: Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Ben Nevis and Glenfinnan Viaduct on one ordinary ScotRail ticket.
The West Highland Line leaves Glasgow along the Clyde, then follows Gare Loch and Loch Long before running high above the west shore of Loch Lomond to Ardlui and Crianlarich, where the Oban portion divides. The Fort William line climbs through Tyndrum Upper and round the famous Horseshoe Curve beneath Beinn Dorain, then crosses the 20 miles of Rannoch Moor on a bed of brushwood and ash. Corrour, at 1,338 feet, is Britain's highest mainline station and has no public road. The line then drops past Loch Treig and through Monessie Gorge to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis.
Beyond Fort William the 1901 Mallaig Extension crosses the Caledonian Canal at Banavie, then reaches Glenfinnan Viaduct, the 21-arch concrete curve at the head of Loch Shiel familiar from the Harry Potter films. It continues past Loch Eilt, Lochailort and Arisaig, with views to Eigg, Rum and the Skye Cuillin, before ending at the fishing port of Mallaig, where ferries leave for Skye and the Small Isles.
ScotRail works the line with Class 156 diesel units. From Fort William to Mallaig the best views, including Glenfinnan, are on the left.
Gare Loch, Loch Long, Loch Treig, Ben Nevis and the Glenfinnan Monument are all on the left; Loch Lomond is the big exception, on the right.
Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.
The Jacobite is a steam charter between Fort William and Mallaig only. ScotRail runs the full route on ordinary tickets all year, using the same track.
About five and a quarter hours from Glasgow to Mallaig, or three and three-quarter hours to Fort William.
A day return from Glasgow to Fort William is feasible; to Mallaig and back is a very long day, so most people stay overnight in Fort William or Mallaig.
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.
Scenic lineThe 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.