My featured image is just one of the beautiful parts of Scotland I still have to explore and this summer I have a bit of a chance so I’m looking for your help!
I first moved to Scotland in 2009 to attend university in Dundee, I spent two years south of the border after graduating before moving back to Edinburgh but in all the time I’ve been here I’ve really not explored many places outside of the cities, so now I’ve got a bit of an opportunity I’m not really sure where to start!
As part of Scotrail’s apology to annual season ticket holders we’ve being given two off-peak returns to any location in Scotland but I’m not sure where to go! The Harry Potter fan in mean quite wants to go to Mallaig just so I can go over the viaduct they used in the film, but it’s a pretty long journey out of Glasgow so I’d need to stay over, but I’m not sure there’s enough to do there for it to be worth while…
So I’m throwing it out there to the blogsphere, where in Scotland do I need to visit? Don’t mind if it’s somewhere that could just be a day trip, or if it’s a bit further away and would require spending a night or two – only restriction is as I’m getting the train there anything you suggest I do at the other end would need to be accessible by public transport as I wouldn’t have a car…
Any suggestions let me know in the comments!
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alicerwb
My top suggestion would be the trip from Fort William to Mallaig. It really is worth it! Glenfinnan (where the viaduct in your picture is) is my favourite place in Scotland, possibly the whole world. It is worth getting off on the way to or from Mallaig to explore Glenfinnan. The Glenfinnan monument is a 10-15 walk from the station and there’s a viewpoint where you can get the best view of the Harry Potter viaduct. Also the journey up to Fort William is pretty amazing itself.
Some alternative options are: the journey from Glasgow to Oban that takes you through the Trossachs and then alongside Loch Awe; or the line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh. Hope that helps!
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Sarah
Thank you! I very tempted by the trip to Mallaig, and then coming back as far as Glenfinnan to stay the night. The Kyle of Lochalsh line is the other one that caught my eye on the Scotrail website so might have to make a weekend out of that one too!
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FictionFan
I too was going to suggest that Mallaig is a lovely journey, and near enough probably to stay in Oban overnight which is perhaps a bit livelier for restaurants and such like (I drive so I’m not sure about train availability though). From Oban, you can take a short ferry trip over to Iona which is well worth a visit. Alternatively if you go for a day or two the ferry from Mallaig to Skye is wonderful (much better than the road bridge) and Skye itself is beautiful – again, sorry, not sure about transport round the island though. Skye has one of my favourite castles – Dunvegan – complete with boat trips out to see the seal colonies…
Have fun whatever you decide to do! 😀
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Sarah
Thanks! Unfortunately Oban is about 90 miles away from Mallaig, so even driving it would take a couple hours. Coming back as far as Glenfinnan and staying looks doable though!
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