ScotRail passengers heading for Scotland’s scenic West Highland routes are being urged to check their journeys carefully today as engineering works alter services between Glasgow Queen Street, Oban and Mallaig.

A combination of amended timetables and replacement road transport is in place on parts of the network, affecting travel for locals, commuters and holidaymakers at the height of the winter getaway period.

More News:

Engineering Project Near Bowling Reshapes West Highland Services

The latest changes are driven by a major engineering project focused on renewing infrastructure around Bowling, on the north bank of the River Clyde.

Network Rail is carrying out works that affect key lines used both by suburban trains and by long-distance West Highland services, which connect Glasgow Queen Street with Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.

According to ScotRail’s current engineering calendar, these works are concentrated in the final week of December, with alterations running from Friday 26 December through Wednesday 31 December.

Because West Highland trains share sections of track with services to Balloch and Helensburgh Central, the improvement project has a knock-on impact well beyond the immediate worksite.

As a result, ScotRail has introduced temporary timetables and rail replacement buses on some stretches, particularly between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich.

Services that normally run directly through this corridor are now split between train and bus legs, lengthening end-to-end journey times and slightly reducing frequency on selected departures.

While the long-distance West Highland routes are renowned for dramatic scenery and tourism appeal, they also provide an essential link for remote communities.

Operators are therefore maintaining as many through journeys as possible, but with altered stopping patterns and connections.

Rail officials stress that these short-term adjustments are necessary to secure the long-term reliability of the lines that serve some of Scotland’s most fragile and weather-exposed railway infrastructure.

What Is Changing Between Glasgow Queen Street, Oban and Mallaig

Today’s pattern of services reflects a blend of standard winter timetables and specific engineering-related alterations.

National Rail’s latest ScotRail bank holiday summary describes a “normal Sunday service subject to engineering work,” with particular emphasis on trains to and from Oban and Mallaig.

On the affected days, trains between Glasgow Queen Street and the West Highland destinations operate only as far as Crianlarich, where passengers transfer to replacement buses, or vice versa.

For Oban-bound journeys, customers can expect to board a ScotRail train at Glasgow Queen Street and travel north as usual until Crianlarich.

At that point, buses take over for the onward leg toward Oban, calling at intermediate communities that would typically be served by rail. In the reverse direction, buses run from Oban to Crianlarich, where passengers join trains to Glasgow.

The overall journey remains through-ticketed, but connections are carefully timed rather than running as a single continuous rail service.

The pattern is similar for services toward Fort William and Mallaig, though timetables vary by day.

Trains from Glasgow Queen Street are truncated at Crianlarich, with buses used for the section northward toward the West Highland’s upper reaches when engineering work is active on that part of the route.

Some legs between Fort William and Mallaig continue to operate as normal trains, helping preserve at least part of the rail experience for travelers heading to or from the coast.

Passengers should be prepared for slightly longer journey times and potential waits at Crianlarich while connecting between bus and train.

ScotRail recommends allowing extra time and checking revised schedules before setting out, particularly for those making tight onward connections in Glasgow, such as evening departures to Edinburgh or services to the Central Belt.

Replacement Buses and Amended Timetables Across the Network

The West Highland lines are not the only routes affected by the current wave of engineering works.

ScotRail’s engineering overview shows wider disruption across central Scotland, including replacement buses between Dalmuir and Balloch, as well as between Dalmuir and Helensburgh Central.

These segments sit on the same corridor that feeds services toward Crianlarich, which in turn supports the Oban, Fort William and Mallaig routes.

As part of the same program of works, services between Motherwell and Cumbernauld and between Motherwell and Dalmarnock are also running to amended patterns on certain days.

Some trains have been withdrawn entirely on the Motherwell to Cumbernauld route via Whifflet, while others are replaced by buses between Motherwell and Dalmarnock.

In several cases, passengers are being directed to alternative stations or different lines to complete their journeys, reflecting the complexity of maintaining services while significant infrastructure tasks are under way.

National Rail’s detailed disruption notes indicate that there may be no rail replacement buses provided at specific smaller stations on the Motherwell to Cumbernauld corridor, with customers instead advised to use other nearby stations or alternate rail services via Glasgow.

This underlines a broader message for the holiday period: journeys that normally feel straightforward may require more planning, especially for passengers who rely on local stops rather than major hubs.

Despite the scale of the works, both ScotRail and National Rail are emphasizing that, network-wide, a broadly normal timetable is still in effect.

The operator describes its late December pattern as a standard weekend and bank holiday service overlaid with clearly defined pockets of engineering disruption, rather than a wholesale shutdown.

The message is that with preparation and flexibility, most journeys can still be completed, albeit with some inconvenience.

Impact on Leisure Travel and Highland Tourism

The timing of the Bowling works and associated changes coincides with one of the busiest leisure travel windows of the year.

The West Highland Line is a draw for tourists looking to experience the landscapes of Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor and the Road to the Isles even in winter, while Oban and Mallaig serve as important gateways to the Inner and Outer Hebrides.

Replacement road transport inevitably alters the character of these journeys, particularly for visitors who planned the trip specifically for the famed rail scenery.

Tourism businesses along the route, from guesthouses in Oban to outdoor operators in Fort William, are likely to feel some impact as journey times extend and connections become less straightforward.

That said, ScotRail has managed to keep a core train service operating at least as far as Crianlarich, preserving much of the classic Highland rail experience.

On stretches where buses are in operation, travelers will still enjoy views of the same lochs and glens, albeit from the road rather than the rails.

For cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts using ScotRail’s Highland Explorer services, which are designed to accommodate bikes and gear, the presence of replacement buses may introduce additional complications.

Space for bicycles on road coaches is more limited and often subject to different rules than on dedicated train carriages.

Passengers planning multi-activity itineraries that combine rail travel with cycling, hiking or ferry connections are urged to verify both train and bus policies in advance and to consider building in more generous transfer windows.

Local communities served by the West Highland network are accustomed to disruption arising from weather events and essential maintenance, particularly outside the main summer season. Recent months have already seen major disruption due to storms in the Highlands.

Against that backdrop, the current planned works are being presented by rail operators as part of a longer-term effort to harden the network against future damage and to keep rural lines viable in the face of increasingly volatile conditions.

Preparing for Altered Journeys and Longer Travel Times

Passengers traveling today and over the remaining days of the work period are being encouraged to approach their journey with a mindset similar to air travel: check timings repeatedly, allow spare time at interchanges and be prepared for contingency plans if things change at short notice.

With rail replacement buses in the mix, factors like road traffic and weather can introduce additional unpredictability that normal rail-only journeys do not face.

Rail operators advise that anyone with fixed appointments or onward travel, such as ferry departures from Oban, should consider taking an earlier service than usual, particularly if the route involves a transfer at Crianlarich.

Those heading for Mallaig to connect with island ferries may also wish to confirm sailing times and, where possible, flexible tickets to accommodate any late-running trains or buses.

Accessibility is another key consideration. Replacement buses can differ in their ability to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility, heavy luggage or prams.

While operators work to ensure accessible vehicles are available, not every stop or route can be served in exactly the same way as a train.

Passengers who require assistance are urged to contact ScotRail’s support channels in advance to confirm arrangements, including boarding points for buses and staff availability at key interchange stations such as Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich.

Industry guidance also highlights that replacement vehicles may be busier than normal trains, especially at traditional peak holiday times and during bad weather, when road conditions can slow journeys and compress timetables.

Travelers are advised to dress for winter conditions, carry essentials such as water and snacks, and keep digital or printed copies of their tickets and journey plans to hand in case of diversion or reassignment to alternative services.

Looking Ahead to January and Further Planned Works

Although the focus for passengers today is firmly on reaching their destination amid late December’s engineering programme, the disruption calendar indicates that further planned works lie ahead into the new year.

Earlier this year, separate projects in the Dumbarton area led to similar patterns of disruption, including trains starting and terminating at Dumbarton Central and buses replacing services onward to Helensburgh Central.

On those occasions, trains between Glasgow Queen Street and Oban, Fort William and Mallaig were also replaced by buses between Glasgow and Crianlarich.

National Rail’s current engineering notices for Scotland also make clear that the West Highland corridor is subject to periodic closures north of Crianlarich.

In November 2025, for example, lines between Upper Tyndrum and Fort William were closed to allow engineering work to proceed, with buses replacing trains between Crianlarich and Fort William while regular rail services continued between Glasgow and Crianlarich and between Fort William and Mallaig. During that period, there was no service at isolated stations such as Rannoch and Corrour.

These recent and upcoming projects illustrate the challenges of maintaining a lightly used but strategically important railway across some of the most remote terrain in the United Kingdom.

Investment in renewing track, structures and power supplies is framed by operators as essential to preserving the line’s long-term future.

In the short term, however, it means that passengers heading for the Highlands should not take a standard timetable for granted, especially in the shoulder and winter seasons.

For now, both ScotRail and National Rail emphasize that the best defense against disruption is information.

Checking live journey planners, operator apps and station departure boards shortly before travel is recommended, as is signing up for service alerts where available.

While today’s engineering alterations are scheduled and relatively well signposted, adverse weather can still trigger late changes to services on exposed rural sections of line.

FAQ

Q1. Which ScotRail routes are most affected by today’s engineering work?
Trains between Glasgow Queen Street and the West Highland destinations of Oban, Fort William and Mallaig are among the most affected, with services often operating only as far as Crianlarich and replacement buses covering the remaining sections on certain days. Routes between Dalmuir and Balloch or Helensburgh Central, and between Motherwell and Cumbernauld or Dalmarnock, are also subject to amended services and bus substitutions.

Q2. Are trains still running from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban and Mallaig?
Yes, trains are still running from Glasgow Queen Street, but in many cases they do not cover the full distance. During the current engineering works, services typically run by rail from Glasgow to Crianlarich, where passengers transfer to replacement buses for onward travel to Oban, Fort William or Mallaig, depending on the specific timetable for that day.

Q3. How much longer will my journey take because of the replacement buses?
Exact additional journey times vary by service, but passengers should expect trips to be noticeably longer than usual. The transfer between train and bus at Crianlarich, combined with road conditions and intermediate stops, generally adds at least several minutes and can extend travel by up to an hour on some long-distance journeys compared with standard rail-only timetables.

Q4. Do I need a separate ticket for the rail replacement bus?
No, passengers do not need a separate ticket. Rail replacement buses are part of the ScotRail service and accept the same tickets as the trains they substitute. Journeys remain through-ticketed, so a ticket between Glasgow Queen Street and Oban or Mallaig is valid for both the train and any connecting bus that forms part of that planned journey.

Q5. How can I find out if my specific train is affected today?
The most reliable way is to use live journey planners or operator apps shortly before travel. National rail information services and ScotRail’s own channels provide up-to-date details of which departures are operating as normal trains, which are terminating early at Crianlarich, and where buses are being used. Station departure boards and announcements at Glasgow Queen Street and intermediate stations will also highlight any alterations.

Q6. Are replacement buses accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Operators aim to provide accessible vehicles, but the level of accessibility can differ from that of modern trains. Passengers who require step-free access, assistance boarding, or space for mobility aids are strongly advised to contact ScotRail’s assisted travel services in advance. Staff can provide details on which services are best suited and where replacement buses pick up and set down.

Q7. Can I take my bicycle on the replacement buses?
Capacity for bicycles on replacement buses is generally much more limited than on dedicated rail carriages such as the Highland Explorer coaches. Policies can vary by operator and vehicle type. Cyclists should assume that carriage cannot be guaranteed and, if traveling with a bike, should check in advance whether any specific services can accommodate it or consider alternative travel dates when full rail services are operating.

Q8. What happens if my connection is missed because a bus or train is delayed?
If a missed connection is caused by disruption to ScotRail or other participating rail services, staff will work to route passengers on the next available train or bus. At major stations such as Glasgow Queen Street, information and customer service teams can advise on alternative options. Travelers with time-critical connections, such as ferries, are encouraged to travel earlier where possible to reduce the risk of missed onward journeys.

Q9. Are these engineering works related to recent extreme weather disruption?
The current changes are part of planned engineering projects focused on infrastructure renewal, including bridge and track work around Bowling and other key points. They follow a period in which severe weather has also affected services across the Scottish network, but the alterations in force today are scheduled maintenance rather than emergency responses, and are designed to improve resilience against future storms.

Q10. When will services return to normal on the affected routes?
According to the latest engineering calendars, the present wave of alterations around Bowling and associated corridors is set to run from Friday 26 December through Wednesday 31 December, after which services are expected to revert to normal timetables, subject to any separate New Year operating patterns. Passengers planning trips in early January should still check for further planned works, particularly on rural Highland sections that undergo periodic maintenance closures.