Highland Rover/western Highlands of Scotland by rail

[Domo89]

Hi all,

New to the forum - I'm just looking for a bit of train travel advice. Any help gratefully received.

We are looking to travel the western Highlands of Scotland (from either Manchester where we live, or from London if we decide to go on the Caledonian Sleeper).

Could I ask your advice on if this rough travel itinerary please, and any tips/thoughts from anyone who has used the Highland Rover ticket or travelled this part of Scotland via train and public transport alone?


We would like to travel the western Highlands for a week-10 days. We will largely be travelling by public transport, but will hire a car in different places if neccessary - just don't want to do any really long drives.

The rough plan is:

Either Train to Glasgow (1 night stay) OR Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William

Train to Oban (2-3 nights)

Travel from Oban up to Skye via Mallaig line. Stay on Skye (3 nights)

Stay somewhere on Kyle of Lochalsh-Inverness line (2 nights)

Train back from Inverness to Glasgow (1 night)

Train home


Is this feasible, and are we missing out anywhere on this rough route that is a must see? Are the journey times feasible? Is it possible to see some of the great places just by train?

Also, for anyone who has gone the Caledonian Sleeper, what do you think of getting off early in Crianlarich, to make the journey over to Oban shorter? Are we losing some of the novelty of the journey e.g the last couple of hours in the morning waking up and the views into Fort William?

Thanks so much.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

On the last point, if you alight off the Sleeper at Crianlarich just before 8.00 a.m., think you'd normally have a two and a quarter hour (or so) wait for the next Oban train. There's the tea room at Crianlarich station, of course, but don't think it opens until 9.30 a.m.

Presumably, you'd still get to experience the views across Rannoch Moor and Loch Trieg, etc., when you resume your journey up to Fort William using ScotRail.

And one other thing... Does the Caledonian Sleeper still allow late evening Northbound pick up from Crewe and/or Preston, which would save having to schlep down to London to catch it?

 

[30907]

Seems basically sensible, but not sure there is that much to visit off the Kyle line - Plockton and ?Duncraig, can you get to Inverewe by bus these days?
I would go through to Ft W on the sleeper.

 

[Iskra]

Your plan overall seems sound. I would go through to Crianlarich or Fort William by sleeper. I see no issue getting off at Crianlarich if you don't mind the wait, I've done a long wait there in winter and it was okay- there is a heated waiting room and there are some nearby amenities if you don't mind a short walk. The ordinary Scotrail train is not that comfortable for such a long journey, I did it once with Scotrail and will not do so again.

 

[D6130]

The ordinary Scotrail train is not that comfortable for such a long journey, I did it once with Scotrail and will not do so again.

Yes, the ScotRail 156s are back-breakingly uncomfortable for journeys of that length since being refurbished. Stay on the sleeper for as long as you can....and if you're unlucky enough to have a cabin with vinyls over the windows, move to the lounge car or day coach to view the scenery. If you do decide to do the Oban line, it's worth paying the Highland Explorer supplement - if seats are available - to ride in the class 153 (bicycle) unit, which has more comfortable seats.

 

[thejuggler]

Looks a good trip. If you do three nights in Oban you have time to fit in a day trip to Coll which, having done it last year, is a great day out for less than £20.

 

[SteveM70]

I’d be surprised if the hotel at Crianlarich didn’t allow you in for coffee/breakfast if you’re waiting a couple of hours.