I am planning a trip to Scotland in August. I am interested in taking the scenic train trip from Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig. Can anyone advise me regarding the best way to travel between Fort William and Mallaig (and return)? Take the same train all the way to Mallaig from Glasgow? Take the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig? If so, take it roundtrip, or only one way?

can't answer unless you give us some idea what you want to do before/after the train ride. All those options work -- just depends on the rest of your itinerary.

The steam train and the ordinary train between Fort William and Mallaig travel along exactly the same line past the same scenery. Take the steam train if the timing fits your itinerary or if you are interested in trains.

We took the regular train to Fort William and the Jacobite to Mallaig. We didn't return because we went on to Skye.

Agree with Geoff that the scenery would be the same on the regular train as on the steam train. The only difference is the Steam train uses historic equipment. It's more costly and stops midway at an overlook, the passengers all get out and walk around.

Thank you-that's helpful. I am not sure of my itinerary and would welcome suggestions. I will be in Glasgow for a meeting in August and would like to take some easy trips by train or bus. I will be traveling alone. The train trip to Fort William and Mallaig sounded interesting and it seems as though there are some interesting day trips from Glasgow and Edinburgh. For those of you who have done the train trip to Fort William and Mallaig, would you recommend it? Any other recommendations?

You can do the train/steam train from Glasgow to Malaig and back as one day trip. It will still be daylight all the way back. Some of the most amazing scenery. http://www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/t...0HIGHLANDS.pdf
http://www.scotland-info.co.uk/jacobite.htm

You can also go to Loch Lomond and take a boat trip on the Loch. http://www.sweeney.uk.com/cruises.html

Also you could take the bus to Mugdock Country park in Milngavie http://www.mcp.ndo.co.uk/

You could also take a day trip to Arran http://www.visitarran.net/

Or to Stirling or Edinburgh

Thank you for the suggestions! I didn't realize the round trip from Glasgow to Mallaig could be done all in one day-that sounds like a good option.