By Car
SAT NAV : PH41 4PL
Please note NO roads in! only vehicular route is by taking the A830 “Road to the Isles” from Fort William. Best to allow yourself 1-1 and ½ hours from Fort William to Mallaig. 3 ½ to 4 hours if traveling from Glasgow to Fort William. There are a few great coffee stops along the way, the converted railway carriages are on your right just before you get to the Prince’s House a small hotel at Glenfinnan, they are open in summer for hot drinks and snacks at the Glenfinnan railway station. There’s also the Glenfinnan monument visitor centre sort for coffee which also tells the story of Prince Charlie’s escape and a great little gift shop.
Wannabe Wizards pass through spectacular Harry Potter country, the viaduct bridge made famous on the Hogwarts Express/flying car chase is Just after the Glenfinnan monument. Another film location you will pass is a tiny old white church on the roadside if you look up to your right just after the sweeping hill up from the Glenuig turn off pull in on the right after the Lochailort road section starred in Breaking The Waves.
Take a detour through Arisiag (the old road) if time permits another two great coffee stops, and if you like your caffeine both do great espressos. There is Café Rhu in the village of Arisiag or just passed Arisaig there are signs on the left for Arisaig Maine where the boat leaves for Eigg. They have just opened a fantastic café and gift shop on the waterfront. The old Arisiag road will take you passed Camusdaroch beach made famous as the main beach location for scenes in Local Hero with Burt Lancaster. Allow time to take your snaps!
When you get to Mallaig there is a parking bay to your right before you reach the roundabout at the approach. Local cars live here while we live on Knoydart, cars are always left at owners risk wherever parked in Mallaig but this is probably your best option. Head first to the pier to drop your bags off, saves a walk with luggage. If you have some spare time in Mallaig there are many options, a great espresso (coffee again!!) at The Tea Garden which also doubles as a bunkhouse and is run by Norman and Sheena. They also do lovely food in an open garden or under cover, as does the Harbour Café above the Harbour newsagents on the corner. The Seamans Mission is a staple here for folks on Knoydart, the girls are great there and do a mean bacon roll or scone and cuppa if time is of the essence – a bit of a second office for folks waiting for boats to arrive or leave.
By Rail & Bus
All trains to Fort William and Mallaig go via Glasgow train station. Best bet to make your own arrangements http://www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/index.php or telephone 08457 48 49 50. The train journey is spectacular and Wanderlust Travel Magazine in 2010 recently voted the line from the Fort to Mallaig as the best in the country beating off stiff competition from the Orient Express, now that takes some beating!
Sleeper
Travelling from London is very comfortable on the overnight sleeper, visit the above link at Scotrail for time tables. Trains travelling from London stop in Fort William. Here you pick up a connection for Mallaig.
Steam Train “The Jacobite”?In the Summer months, travel back in time on the Steam Train Jacobite http://www.steamtrain.info/ Cross the famous viaduct just like that famous little wizard on his way to Hogwarts!
By Car - SAT NAV : PH41 4PL
Please note NO roads in! only vehicular route is by taking the A830 “Road to the Isles” from Fort William. Best to allow yourself 1-1 and ½ hours from Fort William to Mallaig. 3 ½ to 4 hours if traveling from Glasgow to Fort William. There are a few great coffee stops along the way, the converted railway carriages are on your right just before you get to the Prince’s House a small hotel at Glenfinnan, they are open in summer for hot drinks and snacks at the Glenfinnan railway station. There’s also the Glenfinnan monument visitor centre sort for coffee which also tells the story of Prince Charlie’s escape and a great little gift shop.
Wannabe Wizards pass through spectacular Harry Potter country, the viaduct bridge made famous on the Hogwarts Express/flying car chase is Just after the Glenfinnan monument. Another film location you will pass is a tiny old white church on the roadside if you look up to your right just after the sweeping hill up from the Glenuig turn off pull in on the right after the Lochailort road section, the church starred in Breaking The Waves.
Take a detour through Arisaig (the old road) if time permits another two great coffee stops, and if you like your caffeine both do great espressos. There is Café Rhu in the village of Arisiag or just passed Arisaig there are signs on the left for Arisaig Maine where the boat leaves for Eigg. They have just opened a fantastic café and gift shop on the waterfront. The old Arisaig road will take you past Camusdarach beach made famous as the main beach location for scenes in Local Hero with Burt Lancaster. Allow time to take your snaps!
When you get to Mallaig there is a parking bay to your left before you reach the roundabout at the approach. Local cars live here while we live on Knoydart, cars are always left at owners risk wherever parked in Mallaig but this is probably your best option. Head first to the pier to drop your bags off, saves a walk with luggage. If you have some spare time in Mallaig there are many options, a great espresso (coffee again!!) at The Tea Garden which also doubles as a bunkhouse and is run by Norman and Sheena. They also do lovely food in an open garden or under cover, as does the Harbour Café above the Harbour newsagents on the corner.
By Rail
All trains to Fort William and Mallaig go via Glasgow train station for more information visit the rail timetable . Best bet to make your own arrangements or telephone 08457 48 49 50. The train journey is spectacular and Wanderlust Travel Magazine voted the line from the Fort to Mallaig as the best in the country beating off stiff competition from the Orient Express, now that takes some beating!
Sleeper
Travelling from London is very comfortable on the overnight sleeper, visit the above link at Scotrail for rail timettables. Trains travelling from London stop in Fort William. Here you pick up a connection for Mallaig.
Steam Train “The Jacobite” In the Summer months, travel back in time on the Steam Train Jacobite cross the famous viaduct just like that famous little wizard on his way to Hogwarts!
