The Jacobite Train — The Jacobite Trail

The Jacobite Train Route

Many have described a trip aboard The Jacobite as the greatest railway journey in the world. The route runs for a stretch of 41 miles, starting at Fort William and ending at Mallaig, and passing such spots of scenic beauty as Loch Eil, the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Arisaig.

The regular daily service departs from Fort William at 10.15, and arrives in Mallaig at 12.25, with the return journey leaving at 14.10 to arrive back at Fort William by 16.00. The Jacobite Train travels at around 50mph.

Top Tip: For the best views, sit on the left hand side on the way to Mallaig and on the right hand side on the way back!

Whilst Mallaig may be the destination, a trip aboard The Jacobite is just as much about what you will see and experience on the journey, as it is about where you end up. 

During the 84 mile round trip, which starts near Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, you will visit Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig.

You will also pass by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar, as well as the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, and end up arriving next to Loch Nevis, the deepest seawater loch in the whole of Europe!

Villages visited along the route include Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig. You may alight at Arisaig by request to the guard.

For many people, the highlight of the journey is when the train crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct, where you will get a stunning view towards the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel.

Fort William (Start Point)

Situated at the southern end of the Great Glen, Fort William is known for being the largest town in the whole of the Scottish Highlands. It sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, and is easily accessible from all directions. Definitely worth an exploration of this area before or after your ride aboard The Jacobite Train.

The small town itself is named after William of Orange, and was famously besieged for two weeks by Jacobites, who had taken the other two forts nearby, but failed to conquer Fort William.

Mallaig (End Point)

If you are taking a round trip on The Jacobite Train, you will have around an hour and a half to spend in the end destination of Mallaig, before hopping back aboard for the return journey. 

Mallaig is a busy village, with its own port and ferry terminal which services Skye and the Small Isles.

The village was formed in the 1840s when Lord Lovat, the owner of the North Morar Estate, divided up the farmland on the coast and encouraged his tenants to resettle and establish a fishing village.

Whilst you are in Mallaig, there are a host of different shops, bars and restaurants waiting to serve you lunch and the pretty village is well worth a stroll around to soak up the beautiful atmosphere.

The Jacobite Train and the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Arguably the most famous location visited whilst aboard The Jacobite Train is the Glenfinnan Viaduct. 

The viaduct is built from mass concrete and is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland at 380m long, and it crosses the River Finnan at a whopping height of 30 m.

From aboard The Jacobite, one cannot help but admire the view towards the Glenfinnan monument.

The 18m high monument was built in 1815 as a poignant reminder of the clansmen who gave their lives to the Jacobite cause.

It was here in Glenfinnan that Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his Father’s standards, less than a year before the Battle of Culloden, marking the start of the 1745 Jacobite campaign.

When time allows, The Jacobite Train may pause on the Viaduct to allow you time to take in the truly magnificent views and take some photographs.

If you are not aboard the train, but would like to witness it crossing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, be at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre before 10.45 am or 3.00 pm daily.

This 21-arched bridge was made particularly well known after it featured in the Harry Potter film series. The company running the Jacobite service provided Warner Brothers with the train used as the Hogwarts Express in all of the movies and allowed them use of the Jacobite’s route for filming.