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)

The Great Glen Way - Day One from Fort William to Spean Bridge

Hello

Running a guesthouse in Spean Bridge we get lots of people staying with us at the end of the first day on the Great Glen Way. Whilst of course I have driven both the main road and the back road from Fort William to Spean Bridge a million times I have never walked the walk.

So today I caught a lift from my daughter into Fort William at 6:45am (because she starts work at 7) and started the walk.

The first thing I saw of interest was a red deer doe in the middle of Fort William in some wild ground. Not long after that a few more deer on the outskirts area called Black Parks.
I arrived in the village of Caol at 7:45 to pick up my father in law and from there we set off again at 8:15. Having been to Corpach Sea Lock numerous times we took a shortcut straight to Banavie and Neptunes Staircase on the canal. Here we came upon this friendly wee Westie dog.







 Just leaving Neptunes Staircase we saw the familiar sight of Fingals activity holiday barge all ready for the season.

 The reflections in the glassy smooth canal were amazing today.

This is Moy Bridge taken from a little mooring in the water and then from a little hillock at the the side of the canal

We arrived at Gairlochy at 11 and had an early lunch sitting on the banks of the River Lochy in glorious sunshine.
Heading off again at 11:30 we reached Spean Bridge at 1pm . So it probably took about 5 and a half  hours all together. Its about 10 miles from Fort William to Gairlochy and 3.7 miles to our guesthouse Distant Hills in Spean Bridge.

I really enjoyed the walk and found the scenery and history very interesting.

My top tips for the Great Glen Way are:

• Take clothing for all weathers
• Walking shoes should be sufficient rather than hill walking boots. To my knowledge there are no rough walking sections and boots may be too hard on your feet when walking on canal towpaths and tarmac road sections
• Book a toilet key from British Waterways which you can pick up from the office at Corpach Sea Lock. Toilets are dotted along the Way at the canal locks
• There is nowhere selling food and drink after Banavie until you reach the Old Pines Hotel just before the Commando monument about 2 miles from Spean Bridge
• If you are walking during peak season and especially weekends book your accommodation and evening restaurant in advance

If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them.

Peter