Mallaig

Getting there

By plane The nearest practical airports are Glasgow (GLA IATA) 140 miles away and Edinburgh (EDI IATA) 180 miles away. Inverness (INV IATA) is within 100 miles but has few flights.

By train Scotrail trains run from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, taking 5 hr 20 min, with four M-Sa and two on Sunday. They split at Crianlarich, with one portion heading to Oban, so you need to be in the correct section via Fort William, Glenfinnan and Arisaig. Another train starts from Fort William. Trains and ferries are sometimes held for connections... and then again, sometimes not. The Caledonian Highland Sleeper from London Euston (Su-F) reaches Fort William at 10AM (M-Sa), with the first onward train to Mallaig at midday. You can also take the Lowland Sleeper towards midnight, reaching Glasgow Central for 7:30AM, then continue on the daytime train. The West Highland Line crosses impressive highland scenery, dramatic even in bad weather as the clouds swirl over stern mountains. It passes Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, then across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a hundred-year-old stone arched rail bridge. From up there you don't see much of the viaduct, but there are views down Loch Shiel to the left. You can day-trip here from Fort William for under £20 return in 2023.

The Jacobite steam train (the "Harry Potter" train). This heritage train runs daily Apr-Oct from Fort William to Mallaig. It's a six-hour excursion (depart 10:15AM, return by 4PM) staying two hours in Mallaig, and in 2023 an adult trip was £57 standard, £89 first class; child £33 / £63. May-Sep there's also an afternoon train (12:50-6:50PM), so you could have 4½ hours in Mallaig, time for a boat trip. Trains also stop at Glenfinnan for the obligatory photo of the viaduct, and by request at Arisaig. The morning excursion connects with the Caledonian Sleeper from London. (updated Apr 2024) 1 Mallaig railway station is 100 yards from the ferry pier. It has a ticket office (M-Sa), waiting

Getting around

Mallaig is a small village, everything is within walking distance. Car hire is available from Morar Motors, ☏ +44 1687 462118. They also have a base in Kyle of Lochalsh.

See

1 Mallaig Heritage Centre, Station Rd PH41 4PY (by railway station), ☏ +44 1687 462085. Apr-Oct: daily 11AM-4PM. Tells the story of Mallaig and the surrounding area. Adult £3, conc £2.50, child free. (updated Oct 2025) 2 Morar is a little village 3 miles south of Mallaig: the trains and Shiel buses stop here. It has fine white beaches, and a short river rushes over waterfalls out of Loch Morar. It is almost 12 miles long and Britain's deepest freshwater lake at 1017 ft (310 m), a fjord scoured out by glaciation.

Do

Ferry trips for marine-life spotting and scenery, even if you've no intention to stay. The ferry trip to Armadale gives you time to see the castle gardens. Western Isles Cruises who operate the ferry to Knoydart also have sight-seeing cruises. Golf: see Arisaig#Do for Traigh GC. Mallaig & Morar Highland Games are held at Lovat Games Field in Morar on the first Sunday in August, with the next probably on 3 Aug 2025, tbc.

Buy

The Co-op opposite the station is open daily 7AM-10PM. Mallaig also has a few souvenir shops, a Spar, post office, chemist shop and ships chandlers.

Eat

1 Steam Inn, Davies Brae PH41 4PU, ☏ +44 1687 462002. Bar: daily 11AM-midnight. Bistro and bar, also has rooms. B&B double £130. (updated Jun 2022) 2 Fishmarket Restaurant, 2 Station Road PH41 4PY (within Coop), ☏ +44 1687 462299. Daily noon-3PM, 6-9PM. Serving fresh fish and some non-fish dishes. Very nice food. (updated Jun 2022) 3 Chlachain Inn, Davies Brae PH41 4QY, ☏ +44 1687 460289. Pub with grub, also has rooms. B&B double £90. (updated Jun 2022)

Drink & nightlife

Chlachain Inn (above) has an outstanding collection of single malt whiskys.

Sleep

Although some places close in winter, that's also when ferry connections are mostly likely to fail, so Mallaig landladies often rescue the stranded. 1 Backpackers Lodge, Station Road PH41 4PU, ☏ +44 1687 462764. Bunk beds in mixed dorms. Each room sleeps up to 4 people. £35 per person. (updated Oct 2025) 2 Marine Hotel, 2 Station Rd PH41 4PY, ☏ +44 1687 462217, [email protected]. Clean welcoming place at the ferry pier. B&B double £130. (updated Oct 2025) 3 West Highland Hotel, Davies Brae PH41 4QZ (east side of station), ☏ +44 1687 462210. A descendant of the original Victorian Station Hotel. Go for superior or classic rooms, the standard rooms are small. B&B double £120. (updated Jun 2022) 4 Moorings Guest House, East Bay PH41 4QF, ☏ +44 1687 462225. Pleasant B&B open year-round. (updated Jun 2022) 5 Springbank Guest House, East Bay PH41 4QF (400 yards from ferry), ☏ +44 1687 462459, [email protected]. Welcoming, comfy, family-run B&B with 2 doubles and 2 twins all en suite. B&B double £115. (updated Jun 2022)

Go next

See the pretty coastline between Arisaig and Morar, especially the "Back of Keppoch." Glenfinnan on the road east to Fort William has a much-photographed railway viaduct. Skye: the ferry lands you in Armadale, with roads onward to Broadford and Portree. Small Isles: a day-trip may suffice, since they're well-named.