Category: Scotland

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All aboard

Friday 28th September

Today we were up early despite a broken nights sleep, after a lovely breakfast we headed out just after 9am for Fort William and our day trip to Mallaig on the Jacobite train.

Fort William
Me with the Jacobite Train
Gavin with the Jacobite Train

The train left Fort William at 10.15, our seats were in a first class “Harry Potter” style carriage unfortunately not by a window.  The scenery was amazing despite the patches of drizzle.  After crossing the Glenfinnian Viaduct there was a 25 minute stop at Glenfinnian before arriving in Mallaig at 2.25.

Gavin on the Jacobite Train
Me on the Jacobite Train
View from our carriage

We had a stroll to see Mallaig harbour then along the water to view the small isles, Rum and Eigg (as well as the south of Skye).  Which were all shrouded in mist.  After a fish and chip lunch (and Skye ale for Gavin) we were back on the Jacobite for 14.10 to head back to Fort William.

Mallaig Harbour
Me with the small isles behind
Gavin enjoying a Skye Ale

In the evening we went to the sea salt cafe restaurant in Onich, it had a lovely view out over Loch Linnie.  Spagetti Napoli was my choice, Mia Casa for Gavin and both of us had sticky toffee pudding for desert.

View from the restaurant
The amazing sticky toffee pudding

 

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Across The Border

Thursday 27th September – distance travelled 235 miles

Breakfast was not included with the apartment so Gavin started the day with a couple of fruit scones we had brought with us while I had almond croissants.

We got under way about 9:20am with me behind the wheel and headed up the motorway, with an unplanned stop at Teabay services where Gavin brought some cheese at the farm shop and we stretched our legs to see the ducks before topping up with petrol.

Tebay Services

Amusement was had on the motorway just after crossing the boarder into Scotland in the form of a lorry with a cover that looked like a short skirt flapping in the wind – maybe you needed to be there but it certainly made us giggle.

Lorry with flapping skirt

Our lunch stop today was Balloch House in Balloch on the south end of Loch Lomond.  I went for the cod fish fingers (very salty) with chunky chips, Gavin tried the lentil soup with chunky chips too.  After lunch we took a stroll along the loch side and Gavin took over driving duties.

Balloch
Us in Balloch
Ready for the off

We made a photo stops at Firkin Point on Loch Lomond which was a beautiful spot, and at Tarbert.

Gavin at Firkin Point, Loch Lomond
Me at Firkin Point, Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Tarbert

Before driving through Glen Coe which required multiple stops as it is so stunning even in the drizzle and cold.

Glen Coe
Glen Coe
Gavin at The Meeting of the Three Waters, Glen Coe
Me at The Meeting of the Three Waters, Glen Coe

It was 6pm when we arrived at Creag Mhor Lodge in Onich on Loch Linnie where we are staying for two nights.

Was a long day today and we didn’t want to go back out for dinner (no restaurant at lodge) so we stuck with bar snacks, Cheese burger minus the cheese for Gavin and a BLT for me.

Loch Linnie