West Highland Line chosen as most scenic rail journey

For years Scots have appreciated the West Highland Line as the country’s most scenic train journey, which serves up some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. Now, it seems that the rest of the world is aware of the beauty and romance of the rail line as well.

The line follows a route of 164 miles that links the west coast fishing port of Mallaig with Glasgow. It has been voted by readers of Wanderlust magazine as the top rail journey in the world, over 400 entrants that included the journey to Machu Picchu, in Peru and the Trans-Siberian Express, crossing Russia.

Wanderlust magazine featured rail journeys in its annual awards voting for the first time this year.

Taking second and third places were two rail journeys in Peru: the Cuzco-Puno line and the Cuzco-Machu Picchu line. Fourth place was award to the Trans-Siberian Express, and fifth to Eurostar.

First ScotRail operates passenger service on the West Highland Line, but during the peak summer period, a Jacobite steam train, transformed for the Harry Potter films into the “Hogwarts Express”, operates between Mallaig and Fort William.

According to Wanderlust, the rail journey was recognised for its breathtaking scenery and variety of visual delights offered to travellers, including the lochs, fields of cattle and the 21-arch Glenfinnan viaduct – a sight that will be familiar to Harry Potter fans from all corners of the world.

www.railbrit.co.uk