The West Highland

Glasgow Queen Street to Fort William

A wonderful scenic rail journey taking us to the remotest and most unspoilt part of the West Highlands of Scotland. 

Climbing out of the 1 in 45 Queen Street tunnel, we proceed through the suburbs of Glasgow, mostly under the wires of the Strathclyde electrics.

At Craigendoran the West Highland line branches off towards Helensburgh Upper. At first, following the course of Gare Loch and Loch Long, the line eventually emerges high above the banks of Loch Lomond. By the time we reach Crianlarich (where the Oban line diverges) the dense forest has given way to more open aspects.

The famous Horseshoe Curve with it's curved viaducts, is the next major feature encountered. Beyond Bridge of Orchy, the main road turns west towards Glen Coe, whilst the railway turns north east and strikes out across one of the UK's last great wildernesses, Rannoch Moor! 95 miles from Glasgow we reach Britain's remotest station, Corrour. Here is the summit, the old signalman's house, but little else.

Totally alone, our train now descends alongside the majestic, unspoilt Loch Treig.  This and the rest of the route are also seen from the air as we're accompanied throughout by a helicopter flying alongside. Now we emerge into the Spean Valley and civilisation once more.  Spean Bridge is where the one time Fort Augustus branch diverged - the sorry history of the line being told in another Video125 DVD.

Running past the foothills of Ben Nevis (Britain's highest mountain) there's a great feeling of adventure as we arrive in the West Highland capital of Fort William. The fascinating history of the West Highland Railway and it's challenging construction, is told by Paul Coia