We've done the train trip a couple of times and it's fun. The only complaint is that you don't have a lot of time in Mallaig, about 2 hours I think if you travel back on the next return. But it's long enough to grab a snack and cuppa in the Tea Garden Café. No affiliation to it just happy customers.

We will be in FW 1st week in April. No train this time but a trip up the mountain is planned. I hope you enjoy it Martin.

I and a friend drove from SE England to Skye but it was over 2 days – once north of Glasgow Scottish roads can be somewhat slow but they may have improved over the last few years but all too easy then to get stuck behind a slow moving lorry and I suspect too tired to appreciate the trip – however I’m old enough to have done Glasgow to Mallaig rail trip when most trains were hauled by black-fives tho the diesels had just started to take over.

I've done the Western Isles twice and Skye once from West Midlands, the last one 4 years ago. You might be tougher than I am, but I wouldn't attempt what you propose.

The last twice we have gone to Drumnadrochit (50 miles further on than FW), I have driven it all both ways.

Last time, it was Inverness to Wetherby services between stops, using the A1 via Edinburgh/Newcastle. No particular difficulty as it was over-night, roads quiet and the car like an armchair.

Going up, it was stops at Edinburgh and Perth. Again, middle of night. I won’t drive up in the daytimme as too many idiots on the road.

But I slept before and for quite a while afterwards! I would not want to do it over only three days!

The year before last I did 1200 miles round trip from Lichfield up the west coast, over to Skye, over to Inverness, down through the Cairngorms, through Edinburgh, down through Pennines and last bit back down the A1 to home. Six days, camped 4 nights, guesthouse 1 night, If I remember correctly we were a group of 10 all in Caterham 7 sports cars.

Did trip to Nurburgring in the Seven four years ago and did around 1300 miles in 5 and a bit days.

Did a similar run end of last year round the Los Picos National Park in Northern Spain.

We go for the good driving rounds and set the satnav to find the bendiest roads it can.

I'm 69 in a few weeks but these trips are great fun and keep the reactions up to spec for quick driving and competing.

Colin

You might consider timing your visit to coincide with the steam specials stopping at Appleby in Westmorland

station or crossing the Ribblehead viaduct on the way to or returning from Scotland.

My wife knows I've lost it, but I took her along with me when we did that run.

If you are not used to (very) long drives, make sure you take plenty of breaks, and leave plenty of time – the roads get a lot slower (and a lot more dangerous) north of Glasgow / Edinburgh.

If you are coming back on the return service two tips –

There is a very good fish restaurant in Mallaig, not far from the station. Highly recommended from a satisfied customer.

If you go out of Fort William station, into the estate with Morrisons (I think) and head in a direction to keep the railway on your right, you will pass the "shed" area, where the loco will probably be being put to bed for the night. We walked it, but you could do at least part by car.

These days we live in Strathspey – so Fort William is a day trip!

Martin

My wife does not think that I am losing it… She knows I am…..

I can't match Martin P's 50k miles a year, but as a systems consultant I was often doing 35k + .

Not sure if the roads are more dangerous north of Glasgae – though I have seen BMWs with German and Italian markings racing each other on both sides of the road north of Loch Ness – but the constant meandering and variations in width and gradient make them hard work.

That's where the tiredness comes in.