Scotland 2008
The Highlands by Train
In July 2008 we had our very good friends Dolly & Pradeep, from America, come and stay with us. As part of their European holiday they invited us to join them on a Scottish Scenic Railway trip. Seeing as how Ann & I had never visited the Highlands – despite Ann’s Scottish roots – we gladly joined them.
We flew to Inverness and stayed in the nearby village of Strathpeffer, whose origins, appropriately enough was as a Victorian Railway Spa station. We then took four train journeys: north to Wick, west to Kyle of Lochalsh and another western trip to Mallaig and then finally East to the Cairngorms via Aviemore.
Boat of Garten Station
The highlight of the holiday was riding in old carriages pulled by steam engines.
The Boat of Garten station was possibly the most picturesque one that we stopped at. Note the milk churns. At another stop we were serenaded by bagpipes!
Dolly & Pradeep on the right getting all steamed up by the Strathspey railway engine.
The Strathspey Railway
Does this guy have one of the most enviable and sought after jobs in the British railway system? Hot work though.
The Jacobite Steam Train – “Lord of The Isles”
No it is not a prop from Star Wars – but an intimidating looking Snow Plough.
Strathspey Railway Carriage
Life is taken at an easy pace in the Highlands. The carriages have been well restored and were very comfortable.
Right, Dolly, Joe & Ann by the Strathspey Railway Engine
Loch Eil
On the Jacobite steam train.
Strath Carron
Some of the lochs and firths were particularly wild and rugged. As you can see in this photo and many others, we had typical Scottish weather for most of the holiday.
The Kyle Line
Looking towards the Isle of Skye.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
To all those Harry Potter fans this viaduct was made (in)famous as part of the Hogwarts Express journey. To the right the same viaduct on the return journey. The sharp eyed will notice that the Jacobite engine is now in reverse.
Kyle of Lochalsh is a windswept village. Even less goes on here since the bridge (at the back of the photo) replaced the ferry to the Isle of Skye in 1995, allowing most tourists to pass straight through without stopping. At least the sun was shining!
Mallaig is a busy fishing port and ferry terminus with a good selection of shops – which kept Dolly happy & where Pradeep got his Harris Tweed flat cap.
Inverness Castle
The Flora Macdonald statue in which she seems to be shielding her eyes from the sun (?!)
There has been a castle here for nearly 1,000 years, though the current incarnation is Victorian. Apparently hereabouts is where Macbeth did his dastardly deeds and local tradition (i.e. those involved with the tourist industry) claims that the ghost of the murdered Duncan can occasionally be seen prowling about – particularly after “Last Orders!”.
Strathpeffer – Pradeep with his Lord of the Manor pose!
Highland Dancing
The evening entertainment of traditional Scottish songs and dancing was enjoyed by all. I have a short video of the dancing Here
Slainte. Here’s tae ye!
What wine goes with Haggis?
