I don't know about better, but you can do it a lot cheaper if you travel by bus/coach. I just got a quote for £120.30 for 3 people for the Dundee - Broxden - Inverness - Ft William sections, which are the only bookable parts, so I guess you would be likely to pay about £50 each. It takes a bit longer but not £40 - worth each longer, in my opinion.

Details follow (copied from travelinescotland journey planner - I input Montrose High St to Mallaig 7 May leaving after 9 am and unticked all the boxes except bus and coach)

Leave09:45
Montrose, Stop 2 Co-op on High Street
Service NumberX7
Provider Stagecoach Strathtay
RouteAberdeen - Perth
view on map
Fares:£5.30
Arrive10:43
Dundee City Centre, Stance 2 Seagate Bus Station on Seagate

(<1m)
Leave10:43
Dundee City Centre, Stance 2 Seagate Bus Station on Seagate view on map
Arrive10:43
Dundee City Centre, at Bus Station on Seagate

(40m)
Leave10:55
Dundee City Centre, at Bus Station on Seagate
Service NumberM11
Provider Megabus (National Coach Services)
RouteAberdeen - Victoria (London)
NoteMB1
view on map
Arrive11:35
Broxden, Stop A Park and Ride on Park and Ride Site

(2h 20m)
Leave11:45
Broxden, Stop A Park and Ride on Park and Ride Site
Service NumberM90
Provider Scottish Citylink + Megabus + Parks of Hamilton
RouteEdinburgh - Inverness
view on map
Arrive14:05
Inverness, Stance 5 Bus Station on Farraline Park

(<1m)
Leave14:05
Inverness, Stance 5 Bus Station on Farraline Park view on map
Arrive14:05
Inverness, Stance 6 Bus Station on Farraline Park

(1h 50m)
Leave14:45
Inverness, Stance 6 Bus Station on Farraline Park
Service Number919
Provider Scottish Citylink
RouteInverness - Fort William
view on map
Arrive16:35
Fort William, Stances 5/6 Bus Station on MacFarlane Way

(<1m)
Leave16:35
Fort William, Stances 5/6 Bus Station on MacFarlane Way view on map
Arrive16:35
Fort William, Stances 1/2 Bus Station on MacFarlane Way

(1h 24m)
Leave17:40
Fort William, Stances 1/2 Bus Station on MacFarlane Way
Service Number500
Provider Shiel Buses
RouteFort William - Mallaig Acharacle or Kilchoan
view on map
Arrive19:04
Mallaig, o/s Service Point on Station Road

Email me if you want to take it further and I'll explain how to book it. I am doing this journey myself, in two parts, so I knew how it would work. I'll be travelling Inverness to Mallaig on 7th (but on an earlier bus) and Montrose to Inverness on 22nd. I only travel by bus these days as I have a bus pass, so it's even cheaper for me!!

Vanessa

Is that a Scottish bus pass? I don't think they take English or Danish bus passes.

For the past eight years now we've had a One Scotland card which kicks in once you hit 60. It gives access to many programmes - one of which is unlimited (time/geographical extent) free travel throughout our country via bus and coach services. It's all to do with social inclusion. Or dating opportunities for the elderly, yes please . . .

Tempted as I am to let rip on a Political Rant (No! No! Spare us from this Horror(Ed)) I'll be a good boy for once! And yes, there is an election coming up Thursday May 07. And yes, no matter how you feel, no matter your political persuasion, every vote counts - or else apathy triumphs!

Sounds a great system for us oldies!

Although disappointed about not being able to use my English bus pass in Scotland I was pleased to find that my Youth (!) Hostel card gives me a discount on the bus.

It is, indeed a Scottish bus pass, aka entitlement card. And democracy will come before the challenge. I will get to the polling station at 7 am in order to vote before the bus picks me up there at 7:15.

Way to go Vanessa! I too will be at my polling station at 7:00am! It's a hugely important vote for us all!

I too will be voting at 7am before walking to the station. So anyone who'll be seeing me later in the day, I am grumpy when tired...