Saturday, 11 May 2019

To and in and around Fort William

 On Wednesday we left Edinburgh for Glasgow and then onto the West Highland line to Fort William. 




Once out of Glasgow the scenery was spectacular. We travelled past Gareloch and Loch Long and then over a pass to Loch  Lomond.




 From here we crossed the desolate Rannock Moor the highest part of the line at over 1,300 feet. Then we continued on to Fort William and by coach to our hotel at Roy Bridge – a station we had passed through 15 minutes before arriving at Fort William!



The hotel is an old private hunting lodge and a bit too twee for us. Wi Fi does not extend to our room despite it being promised and we have been given twin beds and a shower rather than a double and bath.




On Thursday we headed off to Oban  for a look around the town and then caught a ferry to the island of Mull.


Oban is a pretty small town where family Peeling stayed (in this Hotel) in 1967!




So onto the Cal Mac ferry to Mull which took around 45 minutes and was cheap compared with the IOW!








We knew we would be late back so decided to have fish and chips in the ship's cafe rather than an 8pm dinner at our hotel - not bad but a bit pricey at £10!

Then on to Duart Castle on Mull - only 10 minutes by coach which travelled with us on the ferry. Castle was ok but we had great views of Ben Nevis!









Bluebells

 And so back to Craignmure and a ferry back to Oban and the longish drive though superb scenery to our hotel



Ballachulish bridge - was a ferry last time IB visited Scotland




On Friday we visited Neptune Staircase - a flight of locks on the Caledonian Canal









Then off to Fort William for a look around the town






Time for a cuppa before our 'cruise' on Loch Linnhe






Salmon farm


It was cold and a bit wet! 


Seals


Then onto Glen Coe where it was just a bit wet!






Glen Coe visitor centre

So time to move on to Inverness - we were picked up by our coach to go to Fort William for the steam Hauled Jacobite train to Mallaig. It was a clear if cold morning and we had great views of Ben Nevis from the hotel bfore we left.





 Fort William





Mallaig Station
Mallaig












Ferrys leave Mallaig for the Islans of Eigg, Much, Rum and Canna which are off the coast at Mallaig:



The highlight of the Jacobean Train is passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct which we visited by coach on our way to Inverness.




and from the Glenfinnan view point the view down the valley and Loch Shiel


It was stunning day and we stopped just ouside Fort William for some superb views on Ben Nevis and the surrounding mountains





So on to Inverness where we checked into our Hotel, had an early dinner and time for stroll around the City.




The Best Western Palace Hotel - our river view room is in the right hand tower and overlooks the river and castle!
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2 comments:

  1. Looks lovely. Great for walking with dogs.
    Are there any people up there? Kidding Alan you've done a great job of taking some stunning photos.

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  2. Beautiful photos of my homeland. A bit of a problem with your h and ks though. I forgive you after all you are are in a foreign land.. Sheila

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