The Great Glen Way from South Laggan to Spean Bridge - by bike

Hello

We have a lot of guests who come to walk the Great Glen Way usually going South to North - from Fort William to Inverness and whilst I have walked the Fort William to Spean Bridge leg I have never done the next day which is Spean Bridge to South Laggan.

So keen to know what guests can expect I decided see it for myself but did not fancy walking it this time so hence the mountain bike. I also figured it would be logistically easier to drive up to South Laggan, leave my car and cycle back to Spean Bridge. Car to be picked up later with the help of my lovely daughter (:-) or I could catch the bus.

Not sure of how long the 17 miles would take I packed one apple, one satsuma and an oatcake! I got to South Laggan around 10am and set off straight away but of course checking three times that I had locked the car.

The first great sight is of all these cruiser boats over wintering

It was a beautiful crisp morning and Loch Lochy was looking smooth and beautiful. I disturbed a great example of a heron in a pond next to the loch - tall and with great colouring. He joined the ducks in the loch instead.

So off down the track and overall it was a great cycling track. Tarmac single track initially and then a smooth forestry road as far as Clunes.

Not far from the top of the loch I came across a wild camping site and I loved this wooden shelter.

I don't know if anyone has slept in it but it looks very dry inside with its back to the prevailing West weather and a fire pit at the open door.
The scenery was more varied than I thought it might be as I feared that it might just be conifers plus the path runs close to the shoreline which creates interest.

Eventually Aonach Mor , Aonach Beag and Ben Nevis came into sight letting me know I was nearing home.

Clunes was a welcome sight and this is the Forestry Commission woodland college building. The Great Glen Way Rangers also use this on a Monday to give advice to walkers, a cup of tea and use of their facilities.

I was now in the Achnacarry estate and it really is beautiful. I took a few minutes to have a look at this old boathouse and the fishing licence information board. I love the colours of the wood on this building.

So only a few miles to go. I was fascinated to see this old practice landing craft base at the side of the road.

 

I then reached the very familiar Gairlochy where I pick up walkers on the Great Glen Way every other day. I quick waive to Carrie a look at the lock keepers chickens and I was off on the last stretch. After 13 miles the climb out of Gairlochy was a bit challenging and pushing the bike for a while seemed a good idea. I also decided to have a little something from my lunch to boost my energy levels in the sheltered lea of the old church.

So my day was almost over as I passed the Commando monument and rolled downhill into Spean Bridge.
A grand day out and whilst it seemed longer it was only 3 hours.
If you are walking this route I think you will enjoy the variety of scenery which is very different from day one of the GGW from Fort William to Gairlochy/Spean Bridge.

Should any of our guests want to drive to a start point and walk or cycle back to Distant Hills Guest House then I would be happy to drive them back to their car if other responsibilites allow and within a reasonable distance of course! We also do have a good bus service for such a small village.

If you have any questions about the Great Glen Way I would be happy to answer them.

Spean Bridge accommodation to Mallaig on the train

Thought I would tell you about our recent train trip on the West Highland railway line to Mallaig. You can also do this trip on the steam train from May to October (steam train from Fort William) but our £13 day return tickets on Scotrail's diesel was a perfectly acceptable alternative.

We caught the 11:54 train from Spean Bridge which still has the original station building and signal box (not like that modern thing in Fort William)

The train arrived on time and we settled in to our allocated seating. I was looking forward to seeing the scenery without running the risk of driving off the road. Father in law enjoyed seeing the Spean Bridge golf course from a different view rather than from the rough.

Pretty soon we were coming out of Fort William and over the Caledonian Canal. In the video here you can see some of Neptunes Staircase which is a series of locks on the canal.

The next major item had most people on their feet to get the best view as we came to Glenfinnan and the viaduct featured in Harry Potter.

There followed spectacular lochs and glens and tiny historic Victorian halts until we reached Arisaig. A lovely wee village and the most Westerly railway station in Britain.

After that views out towards Skye and Eigg and we pass the River Morar (Britains shortest salmon river at 400 metres) which flows from the deepest loch, Loch Morar (over 300 metres deep).

We roll in to Mallaig at 1:34 and stroll along to out lunch destination the Steam Inn. Plenty time for sight seeing afterwards. Lesley and I went straight for the prawn cocktail and chips. The prawns are fantastic, meaty and flavoursome and the bar lady very friendly.

After lunch we had a stroll around the village (although it could also be called a town) including the Skye ferry terminal, had a chat to a couple of guys from the terminal staff, the 8 foot fisherman statue, the Art Gallery (good to hear a local voice behind the counter) and the Visitor Centre (more West Highland accents).

(Update - the weather was not great on the day we went but if you would like a 1.5 hour walk circuit have a look at this one http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/mallaig.shtml   )

It was then 4pm and time to depart. A wee glass of whisky and a snooze made for an enjoyable journey home to Spean Bridge. A grand day out.

Walking in Spean Bridge, Fort William area

If you are coming to Scotland for walking have a look at the Walk Highland website http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ for routes and info.

Once you are here the Glen Nevis Visitors Centre has information about current weather conditions, they know the mountains, and they can also help people find a guide and match to their abilities.

You could also attend the Mountain Safety Lectures run by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland at the Claichaig in Glencoe. 

 

Alternatively outdoor gear shops, Ellis Brigham and Nevis Sport have informative staff and weather and avalanche forecasts.

Photography holiday package in the Highlands

Just a wee reminder that our Photography Holiday Package is coming up from the 2^nd to the 6^th of November. We will take care of all the arranging and transporting you to the best locations and you just have to take great pictures.

There are a maximum of six spaces on this package to allow our professional photographer Ian MacLeod to give you his personal attention.

Full details here http://www.nevispix.com/Photography%20tours.htm reply to this email or give us a call on 01397 712452 (+44 1397 712452 from outside UK)

Looking ahead to December we will be open on the 19^th to the 23^rd inclusive which might be of help to anyone travelling up to the Islands for Christmas.

This year we will be open at New Year.

Open from the 28^th of December until the 6^thof January.

Commando monument Spean Bridge

Not bad for a smart phone!

Photography Holiday here in the Scottish Highlands

Hello

Just a reminder that our photography holiday package is coming up in November. We have teamed up with professional photographer Ian MacLeod of Nevispix to provide a hassle free all in one package of photography, accommodation and food.

Ian will drive you to all the best sites in Lochaber including Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor, Ben Nevis and the Road to the Isles.

Have a look at Ian's website for more information including dates and prices
http://www.nevispix.com/Photography%20tours.htm

Distant Hills Guest House, Spean Bridge has a day out to Plockton

Hello

Not much time to say anything today as lots to do but we had a great day out yesterday up to Plockton and back. Its about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive to get there especially if you are stopping for photographs from time to time.
It was so peaceful in Plockton and I would suggest you go there before it gets really busy later in the year.
Lunch was at the Plockton Inn. Two starters - trio of salmon and spicy sea food chowder followed by a seafood platter to share. All delicious and very filling and really friendly staff.
Coffee on the way back at Eilean Donan Castle - you know the castle in the adverts. They seem to make their own scones and cakes and they are great and the Latte was good as well.
Here are my photos including some from my hopeless mobile phone.

Duirinish a wee township on the way from Kyle to Plockton

Rab C would love this boat

Plockton bay

Plcokton Bay

Open Day Easter weekend looks interesting

Eilean Donan castle (and tea and cakes)