Edinburgh → Glasgow → Loch Lomond & the Arrochar Alps
In 60 seconds
The route in 60 seconds
Scotland's two big cities are under an hour apart by train and nothing alike: Edinburgh is all stone and set pieces, Glasgow is Victorian, musical and warmer than its reputation. Then the West Highland Line takes you straight out of Glasgow to Arrochar & Tarbet, between Loch Lomond and the peaks of the Arrochar Alps. You get the city-to-Highlands feeling without the long haul north.
Stops
Where you sleep
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Old Town, the castle rock and Arthur's Seat before breakfast.
Open destinationGlasgow
United Kingdom
Mackintosh, Kelvingrove and live music most nights.
Day by day
How the days fall
The order we would follow, with the transfers already in the right place.
Day 1
EdinburghOld Town and the castle.
- Morning
Edinburgh Castle
The first entry slot, then down the Royal Mile.
- Afternoon
The closes and Greyfriars
Leave the Mile for the side alleys and the kirkyard.
- Evening
Leith
Dinner by the water at the Shore.
Day 2
EdinburghA hill, a gallery and the New Town.
- Morning
Arthur's Seat
Up from Holyrood at first light.
- Afternoon
Stockbridge and the Water of Leith
Walk the river path to Dean Village.
Day 3
Edinburgh → GlasgowTrain west, Glasgow's West End.
- Morning
Train to Glasgow Queen Street
Frequent ScotRail services from Waverley.
- Afternoon
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Free, and enormous. Pick two galleries.
- Evening
A gig
Glasgow's live music is the reason many people come back.
Day 4
Glasgow & Loch LomondA half day by the loch.
- Morning
Train to Balloch
From Glasgow, under an hour to the southern tip of Loch Lomond.
- Afternoon
The loch shore
Walk the shore path or take a boat on the loch, then back to the city.
Day 5
Arrochar AlpsInto the mountains by the West Highland Line.
- Morning
Train to Arrochar & Tarbet
About an hour and a quarter from Glasgow Queen Street. Check the last train back.
- Afternoon
The Cobbler or the lochside
The climb if the weather allows; the walk between Loch Lomond and Loch Long if it does not.
Transport
Between destinations
- Edinburgh → GlasgowTrain45–70 min
ScotRail from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street, around every 15 minutes. The fastest trains take about three-quarters of an hour.
Highlights
Key experiences
If the trip is cut short, these are the four to protect.
Arthur's Seat at first light
An extinct volcano in the middle of the capital. Up and down before the city wakes.
Kelvingrove and the West End
Glasgow's great free museum, then the university and the cafés of Byres Road.
Loch Lomond from Balloch
Trains from Glasgow reach Balloch, at the loch's southern tip, in under an hour — an easy half day by the water.
The Cobbler
Ben Arthur, the most distinctive peak of the Arrochar Alps, climbs from Arrochar. A proper mountain day: boots, waterproofs and a forecast.
Stay
Where to stay
- Edinburgh
- The New Town is calm and central; the Old Town is atmospheric and loud at night.
- Glasgow
- The West End for parks and restaurants, the Merchant City for the station and late nights.
- Arrochar & Tarbet
- Stay a night by the lochs if you want the hike without watching the last train.