The Jacobite is a steam-hauled tourist train running from Fort William to Mallaig over the western section of the West Highland Line. It has operated each summer under various names since 1984, and it is the most-photographed train in Britain.
The journey is 67 kilometres each way, takes about two hours in each direction, and crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct — which most of the world now knows from the Harry Potter films.
Out of Fort William along Loch Eil, then west into the hills to Glenfinnan, crossing the 21-arch viaduct above the monument at the head of Loch Shiel. On through Lochailort and Arisaig — the most westerly station in Britain — past the white sand beaches at Morar with the Small Isles and Skye offshore, along Loch nan Ceall, and down to the fishing port of Mallaig.
It is, by a wide margin, one of the great railway journeys in the world, and the West Highland Line is regularly named as such.
Sit on the left leaving Fort William for the sea and the viaduct views.
Trains normally allow around ninety minutes to two hours in Mallaig before the return.
Book well in advance. Summer dates sell out early — often months ahead — and this is the single most common piece of advice from people who have travelled.
There are usually two services a day in high season, and a reduced pattern in spring and autumn. First class and standard are both offered; first class gives a table, a served refreshment and more space.
The Jacobite is expensive, and there is a real division of opinion about whether it is worth the fare.
The case against, made by a good number of travellers: ScotRail runs ordinary service trains on exactly the same line, several times a day, all year, for a small fraction of the price. The scenery is identical — it is the same track over the same viaduct — and you get a window that opens, the freedom to stop at Glenfinnan or Arisaig, and no timetable pressure. On that view, the sensible move is to take the ScotRail train and watch the steam train from the lineside, which is the better view of it anyway.
The case for: it is a steam locomotive hauling heritage carriages, and if that is the thing you want, no service train provides it. The experience is the point, not the transport.
Both positions are reasonable. If you are travelling with children who want the Hogwarts Express, or if steam traction is the attraction, book it. If you want the West Highland Line and its scenery, ScotRail does the same job for a great deal less, and you can do it in winter too.
Departs from Fort William station, in the centre of town by the bus station and supermarket. Parking nearby.
Time: most of a day for the round trip.
Season: roughly April to October, with limited dates outside high summer.
Photographing it: the Glenfinnan viaduct viewpoint is a twenty-minute uphill walk from the NTS visitor centre, and crossing times are posted in the car park there. Arrive early — it is very busy.
It runs over the Glenfinnan Viaduct used in the Harry Potter films, and the locomotive and stock have appeared in them. It is a scheduled tourist service, not a film set.
About two hours each way, with an hour and a half or so in Mallaig — most of a day.
Yes. Summer services sell out well in advance.
Yes — ScotRail service trains run the same line several times a day all year for a fraction of the fare.
The left leaving Fort William, for the viaduct and the sea.