Mallaig

[CallySleeperKid]

Has anybody been?

Is there anything there apart from fishing boats?

If we pop up the while in Fort William will we be able to kill 3 hours? Any pubs?

 

[Bittern]

I'm going sometime next year (yet to plan when). Can't wait!

 

[CallySleeperKid]

I'm going sometime next year (yet to plan when). Can't wait!

Im going up to Fort William for my (early) birthday, on a bit of a tour, after all your only 30 once (thank god)

03/12
Hucknall - Nottingham (East Midland Trains)
Nottingham - Birmingham New Street (Cross Country)
Birmingham New Street - Tame Bridge Parkway (London Midland)
Tame Bridge Parkway - London Marylebone (Wrexham & Shropshire)
London Euston - Fort William (First ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper)

06/12
Fort William - London Euston (First ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper)

07/12
London Euston - Crewe (Virgin Trains)
Crewe - Derby (East Midlands Trains)

We have the Saturday free and are wondering if we should pop to Mallaig, after all, it will be another line, I have wanted to do, ticked off the list.

But its 2 and a half hours until the train returns back to Fort William, and if there is no pub for a drink and a bite to eat then we will more than likely give it a miss.

HELP!

 

[tivoli]

Visited in September, there are pubs, but they and the cafes soon fill up once the steam train gets in. Spent a good bit of our time before return trip, trying to find space in a pub/cafe/restaurant to have a meal!

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Visited in September, there are pubs, but they and the cafes soon fill up once the steam train gets in. Spent a good bit of our time before return trip, trying to find space in a pub/cafe/restaurant to have a meal!

There is no steam service this time of year, unless there is a rail tour up there that I didn't know about, so hopefully we can get in a pub for a couple of beers and a bite to eat,

Any pub we should look out for or is there little choice?

 

[SouthernCrescent]

Its been a few years since I've been there but I think there are a few pubs and cafes where you can get something to eat. There are also a few hotels that will do drinks. I think the journey shouldn't be missed, its really scenic between Fort William and Mallaig. The other thing you might like is taking a trip over to skye on the ferry if you have time? There is a cafe on that, and it is something else to experience.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Has anybody been?

Is there anything there apart from fishing boats?

If we pop up the while in Fort William will we be able to kill 3 hours? Any pubs?

There's a cracking fish and chip shop. Turn right out of the station, and take the first right. It's up the exterior staircase behind a cafe (think the kitchen serves the cafe as well, but if the weather's fine just order out and enjoy it by the pier).

In answer to your question, there isn't much to do and there aren't even many fishing boats any more. The fishing industry has almost completely died now; it's hard to imagine the quantities of fresh fish once carried out of Mallaig by the railway. Most of Mallaig's economy depends on the tourist trade: people either heading to Skye or the Small Isles. The Co-Operative and Spar supermarket take telephone and fax orders from islanders and deliver via the ferries. We've holidayed on Muck a few times, and have supplies shipped in that way, since there are no shops on the island.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Great information, thats very much.

 

[87031]

I did the Jacobite to Malliag on my ALR in July and you need to do it for the line alone its juts stunning scenery id rate it as the best line ive ever done its like another world up there, As for Mallaig its a small little fishing town with a nice village with cafes , chippys and stuff, some local produce on sale there a swell, Prawns etc. Id recommend doing it on the Jacobite though for the heads out glenfinnan viaduct and its just much better to take in the wonderful scottish fresh air. I still need the Kyle line which ive heard so many great things about but refuse to do it unless its loco hauled or steam for the same reasons as above. Ive heard a rumour theres gona be regullar steam next summer on the line possibly West coast railway company. But in one word DO Mallaig.

 

[Bittern]

If you buy a ticket for Queen Street - Mallaig, can you use it on the Jacobite?

 

[87031]

no its a private train run by West Coast Railways...i was a bit peaved having to pay an extra £30 quid return on top of my ALR but its worth every penny

 

[142094]

Last year I think I got there at around 7 and left the next day on the first train around 6 in the morning, which was unfortunate as it seemed like a nice place.

 

[jopsuk]

Much like Fort William, it's an ugly little town in the middle of one of the most beautiful areas on the planet.

 

[JamesM]

Basically you have a couple of tourist information places, a few ferries/boat cruises, some fishing industry and a couple of supermarkets and a bank.

The guys are absolutely right - you must get some fish and chips from the chippy there. They won some sort of award about ten years ago! The last time I went they weren't quite as good, but still excellent fresh fish.

We killed two and a half hours, just about, but you'd be bored pretty quickly there. There are enough places to grab something to eat.

You must do the journey though. The stretch from, say, Rannoch to Fort William is just as stunning, so make sure you do that in daylight as well.

 

[robertclark125]

Go onto www.trainspots.co.uk and look for a dot positioned for Mallaig on the map, and click on it. I submitted it and took the photos.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Check out this site. http://www.mallaigheritage.org.uk/

Otherwise it's basically as JamesM says. A couple of tourist information places, a few ferries/boat cruises, some fishing industry and a couple of supermarkets also a couple of banks (RBS + HBoS).

Nice enough place for a few hours on a good day. Not so much fun on a 'dreich' day.

Shame that you are not going at a time of the year when the Glenfinnan Station Museum (halfway between Fort William and Mallaig) is open.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Shame that you are not going at a time of the year when the Glenfinnan Station Museum (halfway between Fort William and Mallaig) is open.

I know, it looks great, and all being well ill try and get there on my ALR next year.

As long as there is a pub we can rest in at Mallaig ill be happy.

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Stayed in Fort Bill over the summer, and could walk to Soldiers' Bridge where the line crosses the River Lochy just past Fort Bill yard. 18-month old son obsessed with steam trains loved watching it go past.

But - when I took him to Mallaig and back on the train we did it by 156. Morning service has a slightly more sensible 40 minutes there rather than 3 hours on the Jacobite, and it cost about a quarter of what WCRC charge for the kettle. Frankly the scenery is so beautiful that its hardly a let down on the 156, and it gets a nice shift on.

I can second the recommendation for the chippy up the staircase!

 

[merlodlliw]

I can second the recommendation for the chippy up the staircase![/QUOTE]


And when in Scotia, if you want fish & Chips, you say a fish supper, as I found out
in Kilmarnock while watching deep fried Mars Bars & chips being served.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Will be visiting on Saturday, looking forward to it as it is the only day im in Scotland that is has not given rain!

I hope the pubs are open!

 

[rick9525]

I went there once whilst on a family holiday back in the early 90s.

It was a bit of a nightmare. Packed 156 from Fort William though did have seats, non stop rain so I could not see anything, delayed due to a medical emergency on the Steam train infront and it was too wet to do anything when we got there so avoid a very wet 5 hour wait we came straight back again.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Just a quick catch up,

Thanks to everyone who posted, we had a great little visit to Mallaig, such a lovely little place.

For information there was 2 pubs, one open all year round, another closed for the winter, plus a couple of hotels with bars that were open. There were a couple (at least) of seafood restaurants, again some open all year round and others not. Two supermarkets (Co-Op and Spar), with the Post Office housed in the Spar shop. A couple of banks with cash machines (for those who asked me to find out), some nice looking little cafes and a general store.

We ate in the Chlachain Inn, Peat Smoked salmon sandwich (£6.25), 2 portions of chips (£2.20 each) and bread and butter (£1). The beer was well looked after and they had a nice little selection of single malts. Id say the prices were a little high but the food was fresh, the salmon was locally caught and I didnt mind paying for the good quality and the comfortable feeling and open fire with background music, all very relaxing after an hour and 20 minutes on a 156!

I took a few pictures around Mallaig if anyone is visiting and wants any information.

Thanks again all,

CSK

 

[dk1]

Go for the fish & chips, but do it proper, at a table, bread & butter & a pot of tea. Lovely!