The Jacobite steam train on the West Highland Line

Just a reminder that the Jacobite steam train on the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig will continue to run until 28 October 2011 (weekdays only). The Satuday and Sunday trips end on the 28th of August.
The new afternoon service which leaves Fort William at 14:45 will cease on 26 August.

Photo voltaic in Spean Bridge

Looking into getting pv panels for the roof.

They will reduce our use of mains electricity which is great for the environment and of course good for our pocket albeit it will take 9 years to repay itself.
They should provide enough electricity to power our washing machines, tumble dryers, sockets and lights. This would be a domestic sized system of just under 4kw.

Have you considered pv panels or actually put them in and what have been the results?

Good information here http://www.lochaber-environmental-group.org.uk/index.asp and
here http://www.est-northwest-cl.org.uk/scotland/Scotland-Welcome-page/At-Home

The Jacobite steam train on the West Highland Line

Hello
Four of our guests were due to go on the Jacobite steam train this week and had planned to catch the sleeper train from Spean Bridge to Fort William at 9:37. However the sleeper was 187 minutes late so an emergency call was made and I ran them down to Fort William in the car just in time.

This was actually a bonus because i had the opportunity to see the train leaving and its quite a spectacle. There is a buzz of excitement in the air then there is a great cloud of steam and smoke, the steam whistle blows and then it starts to make that familiar chug chug noise that we have heard on the movies.

Even if you cannot go on the train i would recommend visting the Fort William station at 10:10am to take in the atmosphere.

Anyone else enjoy not getting the train!

What have Spean Bridge guests been up today?

Hello
Just thought I would gave you a few ideas of what you can do in the area by letting you know what our guests have done today.

1. Seeking thrills on the downhill mountain bike track at Nevis Range http://bike.nevisrange.co.uk/
2. Walking the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Spean Bridge in brilliant sunshine http://www.greatglenway.com/
3. Driving up to Mallaig via Arisaig, Traigh golf course and the world famous beaches http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/scotland/737937/Camusdarach-British-beach-of-the-week.html
4. Drove up through Glen Coe http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/glencoe.shtml

Have a great weekend

Peter and Lesley

In-room survey winners

Mr and Mrs Davidson won our annual draw after completing a survey form in their room in late 2010. The form allows us to gather feedback on what we are doing right or wrong and items that need attention in the room.

The couple have just taken advantage of their free nights stay and it was great to see them again.

They took the chance to take the drive around Ardnamuchan including the loop down a very narrow road to Kingairloch. Here is some information on that area Kingairloch

Gairlochy Tea Room on the Great Glen Way - No More

This goes out to anyone walking the Great Glen Way.

There are quite a few out of date guide books, walk notes, maps etc that mention the Gairlochy Tea Room at the end of day one on the walk. Please be advised that the tea room has been closed for three years now.

The nearest option is to walk two miles up the road towards Spean Bridge where you will find the Old Pines Hotel at which you can buy refreshments and take in the fantastic views. You may then like to join the Highbridge path which curves down towards the river and into Spean Bridge avoiding the pavement walk down the A82.

Thought provoking letter as the Great Glen grapples with how it contributes to Environmental challenges

Hello
Found this letter in the Inverness Courier and thought it worthy of further circulation.

Is there a case for protecting parts of the Highlands from Windfarms because after all our main industry is tourism and we should be protecting the enviroment and landscape that visitors want to see.

Are there sufficient other sites for the windfarms?

Are windfarms being driven by central funding which is perhaps not correctly aligned to protect the landscape? ie would it be better to focus our efforts on offshore wind, tide and wave energy? Or is it likely that windfarms are the quick and easy win in meeting our national energy reduction targets?

Farmers and landowners in the Highlands need income the same as anyone else so they cannot be blamed for taking advantage of the schemes.

Here is the letter http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/14608/Let_92s_balance_the_new_with_the_best_of_the_old.html

An update on the growing Great Glen Way

If you have ever walked the Great Glen Way and felt a little more tired than you expected here is why. The original length of the walk was taken from maps and worked out at 75 miles.

The Great Glen Way Rangers have now measured it by trundle wheel and they reckon its actually 79 miles!

So you were 4 miles more tired than you were expecting.

Here is a link to the official website
http://www.greatglenway.com/

Spean Bridge B&B takes a walk up Loch Arkaig side, Achnacarry, Lochaber

Hello
This week we had a wee walk along Loch Arkaig to Invermallie bothy.

It was a dry cool day and the views were fantastic. Starting at Achnacarry there is a very good path all the way and it only took about an hour to get to Invermallie. The bothy is maintained by the Bothy Association and they are doing a fine job with it. If you fancied a night in a bothy this one might be a good place to start.

On the walk you are virtually on the banks of Loch Arkaig which is huge and in some ways a hidden gem. The water was very calm at times making for some beautiful reflections of the mountains.

The main wildlife of the day were the frogs probably at least 12 spotted on the path.

Renewable Energy and Heat Fair near Spean Bridge!

Hello
Renewable Energy and Heat Fair in Fort William this Saturday 19 March 2011, 9:30 to 5pm.

Lots of interesting exhibitors and a range of advice to help nudge us all along the right path.

All the details here http://www.lochaber-environmental-group.org.uk/fair.asp

See you there

Peter