Hi Theo

You will definitely be cheaper buying 2 tickets from Montrose-Glasgow, then Glasgow-Mallaig. You should book in advance for the best deals and travel after 0915.

UK train pricing is utterly bizarre - you can try various combinations of stations to find cheaper alternatives. Also, some sites charge for CC bookings, some don't. I usually use Scotrail, which doesn't charge a CC fee.

Going by bus from Montrose will be a very long journey - maybe a wee bit cheaper than the train but I wouldn't recommend it.

Previous posters are correct regarding the bizarre pricing structure. It is Always cheaper to buy a ticket from arbroath to perth, then perth to glasgow. I have no idea why .

Thanks everyone so far on message board and by mail. I was hoping for special discounts but I guess I simply have to wait till February.

Theo