Jacobite Steam Railway

Advantages: a nice day out, nostalgia,
Disadvantages: too expensive, stops too long in Mallaig

...were turning people away. JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN ++++++++++++++++++++ The track runs from Fort William to Mallaig and is an 82 mile round trip. The journey passes through some fantastic countryside and old stations, coming to stop at Mallaig for around 1.5 hours. This is long enough to have lunch, which is about all you can do in Mallaig anyway! COST +++++++ Adult Day Return £27 (First Class £40) Child Day Return £15.50 (First Class £20) The ...
...at 12.25pm. It then leaves Mallaig at 14.10pm and arrives at Fort William at 16.00pm. The train runs from 29 May to October 13th - Monday to Friday and Sundays 28th May and July 23 to 27 August. The only difference with First Class appeared to be that they give you free tea and coffee and the carriage is smaller with no table. I would not recommend paying the extra to sit in First Class. ROUTE +++++++ The route is described as one of the great ... Read review

Advantages: scenery, steam train experience, harry potter (?)
Disadvantages: price, only phone-booking, poor information

The Jacobite steam train is indeed one of the great railway journeys of the world like the company website says. Although the information about it are really scarce and hard to find. People don't exactly know what kind of carriage they get, and in general their website is very very poorly done. So I'll try to describe my experience and leave useful information and tips for who has never been on the train but plans to. [also check out the pictures ...
...you need to book? Definitely! The company keeps about 24 second class tickets that you can purchase at Fort William (not sure if at the station or on the train) but you never know how many people will be there. It's more than likely that these 24 tickets will go very fast and you risk to travel to Fort William for nothing. Do not risk and book in advance. Practically the only other option is to book through the phone paying with your credit card ... Read review

Advantages: Scenery, experiencing travel on an old steam train
Disadvantages: not much to see in mallaig, staff trying to sell extras ie dvds, books

We had a lovely day out on this excersion. Train ride takes about two hours, stops half way at glenfinnan station for half an hour where you can go around the very small railway museum for 50p each. Then continuing to Mallaig where you stop for 2 hours then straight back to Fort William by 4.30pm. Highlight is seeing viaduct used in harry potter films. Booking is essential as its surprising how popular this is. We went in june 2008 and tickets were ... Read review