Highland Explorer arriving in Oban, July 2021

Highland Explorer at Oban, July 2021

Loch nan Uamh from water, 2017

Loch nan Uamh from water, 2017

Class 66 heads an alumina train to Fort William, crossing the Rannoch Viaduct on a June evening, 2015

Class 66 heads a Fort William alumina train across Rannoch viaduct on a June evening, 2015

Alumina Train heads south thro’ Glen Falloch

Class 66 heads empty alumina train south thro’ Glen Falloch in early winter, 2016

Glen Falloch, south of Crianlarich, 2020

Glen Falloch, south of Crianlarich, 2020

Black 5 44996 climbing towards Corrour Summit with special charter, October 2009.

‘Black 5’ climbing towards Corrour Summit with a special charter, 2009.

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Glenfinnan Station, 2015

43046+43055 09.12 Fort William – Reading at Pulpit Rock 25.10.21

43046+43055 09.12 Fort William – Reading at Pulpit Rock, October 2021

Two Class 73 locos head a southbound SRPS Charter north of Rannoch Station, 2018.

Two Class 73 locomotives head a southbound SRPS charter north of Rannoch Station, 2018.

Thompson B1, 61306, heads a charter train south near Whistlefield above Loch Long, 2019

Thompson B1, 61306, heads a charter south near Whistlefield above Loch Long, 2019  

Mallaig – Fort William summer service passes along south shore of Loch Eilt.

Mallaig – Fort William summer service passes along south shore of Loch Eilt.

Deltic Royal Scot, Fort William.

Deltic in charge of ‘Royal Scotsman’, Fort William, 2015

K4_LochEilt

K4, 61994, ‘The Great Marquis’, Loch Eilt, 2014

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Mixture of liveries, Locheil Outward Bound, 2017

Corrour Summit 2009

44871 leaving Mallaig with the Jacobite with Skye in the background, July 2021

Leaving Mallaig with the Isle of Skye in the background, July 2021

London – Fort William Caledonian Sleeper between Tyndrum & Bridge of Orchy

London – Fort William Caledonian Sleeper between Tyndrum & Bridge of Orchy, 2020

MonessieClass47

Class 47, 47826, heads a ‘Statesman Tour’ through the Monessie Gorge, 2012

156457 at Corrour summit 2020

156457 at Corrour summit, 2020

45407 at Kinloid 2021

45407 at Kinloid 2021

Slider 20

K4 passes Loch Eilt, west of Glenfinnan, in late October, 2014

9

Great Britain Charter at Glen Falloch, 2014

Royal Scotsman, Pulpit Rock, Loch Lomond

66746 heads south with ‘The Royal Scotsman’, near Pulpit Rock, south of Ardlui, 2017  

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Black 5, 45407, Auch Glen Viaduct, 2016

Friends of the West Highland Lines



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The West Highland Lines, the Top Rail Journey in the World. Britain’s railways of superlatives which take you to the:

  • Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain

    Highest mountain (Ben Nevis)

  • Loch Lomond, the largest loch in Britain

    Largest loch (Loch Lomond)

  • Loch Awe, the longest loch in Britain

    Longest loch (Loch Awe)

  • Loch Morar, the deepest loch in Britain

    Deepest loch (Loch Morar)

  • Corrour, the highest mainline station in Britain

    Highest mainline station (Corrour)

  • Arisiag, the most westerly station in Britain

    Most westerly station (Arisaig)

  • Oban, the gateway to the Hebrides

    Gateway to the Hebrides (Oban & Mallaig)

  • Fort William, Britain's outdoor capital

    Britain’s Outdoor Capital (Fort William)

 

The West Highland Lines are world-class railways making a major contribution to accessibility for residents, tourists and freight in this uniquely beautiful part of Scotland. ScotRail trains link the West Highlands with Glasgow and there is also an overnight Caledonian Sleeper linking Fort William and intermediate West Highland stations with London.

ScotRail TIMETABLE

This website gives an introduction to the line, with pictures of the spectacular scenery brought to you by Norman McNab and others as attributed.

To Join The ‘Friends of the West Highland Lines’ – CLICK HERE

Keep up to date with latest News  by visiting our Twitter Feed or Facebook page.

News Flash  – 11/01/2022  Seated accommodation is now available on the Caledonian Sleeper between Edinburgh and Fort William.  Seats must be reserved through Caledonian Sleeper but tickets bought from ScotRail or other ticket sellers.  According to Caledonian Sleeper website:- “These services are running on a reduced capacity to allow social distancing and to give you peace of mind when onboard. Day tickets are only available to buy a maximum of 7 days before travel and require a reservation – anyone who does not hold a reservation will not be able to travel. At this time, Caledonian Sleeper do not sell day tickets for these services, however, they are available to book directly via stations or other on-line retailers.”

 

Active Travel Coaches, designated the Highland Explorer, began in service 19 July on the Glasgow to Oban route.  Full details on the ScotRail website

Image courtesy of ScotRail

Good News  The Autumn/Winter 2021 edition of the Society’s magazine ‘West Highland News Plus’  has now been published.

Receipt of this magazine, posted to your address, is reason enough to become a member of the ‘Friends of the West Highland Lines’.  Otherwise copies can be obtained from the Editor, Doug Carmichael, for £4 plus £2 p&p – see CONTACT US page.

This edition includes coverage of the unveiling of the Red Wheel, sponsored by The Friends, at Falls of Cruachan,  Part 3 of the Callander and Oban Railway, “On The Waterfront” as well as a wealth of high quality photographs including some drone shots.

 

This is the 10:10 Mallaig to Fort William/Glasgow Queen Street service passing the head of Loch Eilt west of Glenfinnan.  Travelling on this ScotRail service may not have the romance of the Jacobite Steam Train and ‘Harry Potter’, but you travel the same route and have the additional bonus of viewing all the same wonderful scenery for a great price.

This Site includes Information on the History, Politics and Engineering features of the West Highland Lines, authored by railway historian, Dr John McGregor and railway author, Gordon Webster. Visitors should note that this is a developing feature of the site and information on these aspects is always being reviewed and added to.