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The Jacobite steam train crossing the railway bridge over the River Lochy near Fort William, steam drifting over the trees.
Fort William

Jacobite Steam Train

A steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and back, 84 miles over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, in summer.

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Welcome

The Jacobite is a steam train that runs from Fort William to Mallaig and back, 84 miles of loch, mountain and sea along the West Highland Line, which readers of Wanderlust Magazine voted the world's best train journey.

It leaves in the morning from Fort William, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, and West Coast Railways has run it since 1995. Its steam locomotive is a Black Five, a design first built in 1934.

A little out of Fort William it sweeps onto the Glenfinnan Viaduct, 21 arches curving above the River Finnan, with the Glenfinnan Monument on the shore of Loch Shiel below. If the timetable allows, it slows on the crossing and pauses at Glenfinnan station and its small railway museum. Beyond, the line passes Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, and Arisaig, the most westerly mainland station, before reaching Mallaig, where there is time to see the harbour before the return. The dates are set each year, and seats are best booked early.

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The Daily for 1 November, from Scotland with love. A misty lane runs past slate-roofed cottages toward a wooded hillside.
Round the cornerFort WilliamThe town under Ben Nevis at the head of Loch Linnhe, where the West Highland Way ends and the Jacobite leaves.1 min by roadSee itFort William
Before you go

Standard class and first class, a same-day return only.

Book ahead with West Coast Railways.

Where
Fort William station, Station Square, PH33 6EN. The train runs from there to Mallaig and back, 84 miles.
Open
In 2026 the morning train ran every day from Monday 1 June to Friday 23 October, and the afternoon train every day from Wednesday 10 June to Friday 25 September. The morning train leaves Fort William at 10:15, reaches Mallaig at 12:25, leaves Mallaig at 14:10 and is back at 16:03. The afternoon train leaves at 12:50, reaches Mallaig at 15:06, leaves at 17:00 and is back at 18:52. West Coast Railways expects to publish the 2027 schedule around the end of November.
Price
The 2026 fares, published in December 2025: standard class £76 for an adult and £43 for a child of 16 or under, first class £116 and £76, and a private table for two in first class £252. There is a booking fee of at least £3.75. It is a same-day return on the same train, with no one-way tickets.
Booking
Bookings open once West Coast Railways has published the season's schedule. Book online with them or by phone on 0333 996 6692, Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00; the tickets come by email. The guard may hold a few seats on the day at Fort William, cash only and not guaranteed, so arrive about an hour before departure.
Parking
Fort William has several signed short and long stay car parks near the station. Allow at least 20 minutes for parking and tickets before the train leaves.
Dogs
One medium-sized family dog per booking travels free in standard class, on a lead and not on the seats. Dogs cannot travel in first class or the compartment carriage. For an assistance dog, ring the booking office on 0333 996 6692.
Getting there
Fort William is reached by the A82 from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness. The Glasgow train reaches Fort William after the 10:15 departure, so West Coast Railways advises arriving the day before, and the Jacobite is back in time for a service train to Glasgow or Mallaig.
Access
The heritage carriages were built in the 1950s and 1960s and a wheelchair cannot be taken into the seating area. A folding wheelchair or pushchair can be stored, and every coach has a steward. For advance notice or help, ring 01524 732100 on weekdays from 09:00 to 16:30.
Toilets
Every coach has toilets at each end. They are locked while the train stands at a station.
Food
A buffet carriage sells hot and cold drinks and light snacks, cash only on the day, and you can bring your own refreshments. First class includes a tea or coffee on each part of the journey.

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Where it is

Leaves from Fort William station, at the foot of Ben Nevis, and runs 84 miles along the West Highland Line to Mallaig.

Close byFrom Fort William.
  1. Glenfinnan MonumentGlenfinnan MonumentA tower with a lone Highlander at the head of Loch Shiel, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745.13 miles as the crow flies
  2. Glenfinnan ViaductGlenfinnan ViaductA curve of 21 concrete arches, 380 metres long, carrying the West Highland Line over the River Finnan since 1901.17 miles 29 min by road
  3. Loch EiltLoch EiltA long loch beside the Road to the Isles and the West Highland line, whose little pine island played Dumbledore's grave in Harry Potter.19 miles as the crow flies
  4. Loch MorarLoch MorarThe deepest loch in Britain, eleven miles long, running east into the hills from Morar just south of Mallaig.25 miles as the crow flies
  5. MallaigMallaigThe fishing port at the end of the road to the isles, and of the railway, with ferries to Skye, the Small Isles and Knoydart.30 miles as the crow flies
Directions
Bare trees reflected in a still river beside a stone-lined bankWalksEast Highland Way with Thistle TrekkingA step away
Tall pines and mossy ground in a misty forest along the Great Glen.AttractionsThe Great Glen WayA step away
Walkers pause on a wooden bridge with twisted branch railings amid fernsWalksThe Great Glen Way by Thistle TrekkingA step away
Green tent pitched by the shore of a loch flanked by hillsAttractionsNorth West Wilderness Weekend with Thistle TrekkingA step away
Fort William High Street after rain, shops lining the pedestrian street.AttractionsFort WilliamA step away
The copper stills in the still house at Ben Nevis Distillery, a group of visitors among them.ToursBen Nevis DistilleryA step away
Stone perimeter wall with "Historic Area, No Camping, No Fires" sign beside a gravel pathAttractionsThe Old Fort0.2 miles
The front of the Wildcat on Fort William's High Street, its window full of the café.CafeThe Wildcat0.3 miles
Corner building on a cobbled street housing The Highland BookshopShoppingHighland Bookshop0.4 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the train, and when each is next free.

RiverBeds at Woodlands Glencoe
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Ballachulish
  • 10 miles from the Jacobite
Check datesGlenhurich Lodge, white-harled with dormer windows, at the end of its track behind a beech hedge, snow on the hills beyond.Glenhurich Lodge
  • Sleeps 11
  • In Glenhurich
  • 20 miles from the Jacobite
Check datesStormhouse South, Argyll and ButeStormhouse South
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Appin
  • 20 miles from the Jacobite
Free 31 Jan – 5 FebStormhouse North, Argyll and ButeStormhouse North
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Appin
  • 20 miles from the Jacobite
Free 1–6 FebPlaces to stayEvery stay in Fort WilliamAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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The collections it is in and more in Fort William.

CollectionHoliday Cottages in ScotlandCollectionHarry Potter Locations in ScotlandCollectionPlaces in Scotland You Have Seen on Screen
More in Fort William
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .