British Rail Tours Know which side to sit
The West Highland Pullman
Luxury trainScottish Highlands

The West Highland Pullman

Leicester and the East Midlands → Fort William and Mallaig
Sit on the left
Photo: Kabelleger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • SeasonAutumn
  • Runs9 to 11 October 2026
  • DurationThree days
  • TractionMidland Pullman HST (Class 43 power cars)
  • OperatorMidland Pullman

A three-day Midland Pullman break over the whole West Highland line, including a round trip from Fort William to Mallaig.

The West Highland Pullman is a three-day weekend on the Midland Pullman HST. On the first day the train runs north from Leicester, Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway and Ilkeston through the Lowlands and Glasgow to join the West Highland line, passing Loch Long and Loch Lomond and crossing Rannoch Moor to reach Fort William at about 20:30.

On day two the train leaves Fort William at 09:00 for Mallaig, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct with views down Loch Shiel, and returns past the white sands of Morar. The final day heads home up the Great Glen, past the Falls of Orchy, Monessie Gorge and Loch Treig. Hotels in Fort William are not included.

Which side to sit

Leicester and the East Midlands → Fort William and Mallaig

Loch Eil, the classic curve of the Glenfinnan Viaduct over Loch Shiel, the Small Isles and the Morar sands are all on the left heading to Mallaig.

Sit on the left4 sights on the left · 4 on the right
  1. 0mi
    StationFort William
  2. 1mi
    MountainBen NevisBritain's highest mountain behind the town as the train leaves
  3. 2mi
    LandmarkNeptune's StaircaseEight-lock staircase on the Caledonian Canal at Banavie
  4. 3mi
    StationCorpach
  5. 6mi
    LochLoch EilThe line follows the northern shore
  6. 15mi
    Viaduct · on the lineGlenfinnan Viaduct21 arches, 100 ft high; the train curves across it
  7. 15mi
    LochLoch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument1745 Jacobite monument at the head of the loch
  8. 16mi
    StationGlenfinnanStation on the line; the HST runs through
  9. 19mi
    LochLoch EiltIslands used in the Harry Potter films
  10. 24mi
    StationLochailort
  11. 26mi
    Viaduct · on the lineLoch nan Uamh ViaductSea loch views where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed and left
  12. 32mi
    StationArisaigMost westerly station in Britain
  13. 34mi
    CoastEigg and RumThe Small Isles out to sea
  14. 39mi
    BeachSilver Sands of MorarWhite sand beaches and the Morar estuary
  15. 39mi
    LochLoch MorarDeepest freshwater loch in Britain
  16. 42mi
    Harbour · on the lineMallaigShort break before the return to Fort William

Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.

On board

  • Dining
  • Premier dining
  • First Class
  • Bar
  • Afternoon tea
  • Multi-day

Highlights

  • Rannoch Moor
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct
  • Mallaig
  • Horseshoe Curve

Classes of travel

First Class (non-dining)Pullman Dining
Before you book: charter trains depend on locomotive availability and Network Rail engineering work. Steam can be swapped for diesel at short notice, so check the operator’s terms for what happens then. When you book, ask for a seat on the side we recommend: most operators allocate seats but will note a preference.

Frequently asked questions

Are hotels included?

No. Guests arrange their own accommodation in Fort William.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

The operator says it is not suitable for wheelchair users because of short or stepped platforms in the Highlands.

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