Tag: my trip to the highlands

  • Jacobite Train

    When I walked around Edinburgh with Darina she told me about this “Harry Potter train”, an old steam train that crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct (like in the movies) and passes many filming locations not only from “Harry Potter” but also “Outlander” and “Game of Thrones”. I didn´t get that train out of my mind, put it on top of the bucket list and to be honest it was kind of my excuse to travel to Scotland during the summer. (As you would need an excuse..)

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    There are different compartments like second class, first class and first class “Harry Potter Style”, which I picked – I just love to ride in style!

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    There is also a little “Harry Potter gift shop on board. But even if you´re not interested in that wizard-stuff at all, the train ride from Fort William to Mallaig is one of the most scenic train journeys alongside Loch Eil, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Arisaig.

    The route is also the same shown in the Harry Potter films. The company running the Jacobite service provided Warner Brothers with the train used as the Hogwarts Express in all of the movies and allowed them use of the Jacobite’s route for filming. The locomotive used to pull the Hogwarts Express in the films, the GWR 4900 Class 5972 Olton Hall, is presently located at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden and can be seen during studio tours. (Wikipedia)

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    The Jacobite Train starts from Fort William and ends 41 miles later in Mallaig.

    The Mallaig Extension of the West Highland Railway opened in 1901 and was operated by the North British Railway. It was intended to help open up this rural and remote part of the Scottish Atlantic coast, and the building of the line was heavily subsidised by the British Government. It became part of the London and North Eastern Railway at the Grouping in 1923, and British Railways at Nationalisation in 1948. (Wikipedia)

    Regular Steam Train services ended in 1967. In 1984 British Railways reintroduced a Steam Train on part of this route to boost tourism and called it the “West Highlander”, later renamed to “The Lochaber”.

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    After the privatisation of the British Railway, the licence for this route was granted to the West Coast Railway Company and they started their service in the summer of 1995 under the name “The Jacobite”.

    The image above shows the Glenfinnan monument shortly before the Glenfinnan Viaduct. My seat was on the aisle side so I didn´t see the viaduct but I made that up on the way back.

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    A longer stop at the Glenfinnan station, to shop at the Harry Potter gift shop in the train and to visit the Glenfinnan Station Museum or just look around the station. There is also an old Dining and Sleeping Car, which I have to try out next time.

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    We´re approaching Mallaig – hello again! This was already my starting point for Skye. The train stopped for around one to two hours in Mallaig which I spent just sitting at the harbour. Had to take in as much sea as possible before going back to Vienna.

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    Wouldn´t that be the perfect place to write, relax and just switch off?

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    Meeting the afternoon train at Glenfinnan station. That was my clue to get out on the aisle and watch the train ride from the window in the door.

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    The first view of the viaduct and I´m not the only one peeking out of the window.

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    About an hour later we arrived back at Fort William and I spent my last hours walking around the town and boarded the Caledonian sleeper back to London in the evening.

    And I can´t wait to go back to Scotland!

     

  • Loch Eil

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    After a long Afternoon Tea in one of the cozy pubs on the High Street of Fort William and a little stroll around the town, it was time for the second boat trip of the day.

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    We started again on Loch Linnhe which follows the line of the Great Glen Fault and is one of the deepest lochs in Scotland. Because of this depth, the Loch is used for deep diving training and subsea testing. This time we didn´t cruise around Linnhe but turned northwest on Loch Eil.

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    Ben Nevis was still hiding behind clouds.

    loch eil, fort william. highlands, scotland, uk, ursulaschmitz, landscape, travel, photography, nature, boat trip

    And we met the Jacobite Train – a steam train operating on the West Highland Railways – and my date for the next day!

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  • Fort William

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    It was time to say goodbye to my cozy cottage and the beautiful Isle of Skye – I tried to enjoy my last drive as much as possible – even when it was just a short one back to Armadale to the ferry. At least the was enough time to have some tea and enjoy the view over the harbor.

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    Back on the main land, there was no time for any stops and I just drove directly back to Fort William. Said good bye to my companion on four wheels and strolled along the High Street to my hotel.

    fort william, scotland, uk, my trip to the highlands, ursula schmitz, lanscape, travel, nature

    Fort William, An Gearasdan, is the largest town in the Scottish Highlands and kind of an angle point for tourists. It is the start/end of the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way – both long distance hiking paths. It lies at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britains highest mountain, and a popular skiing center.

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    While I was picking up my booked ticket for an evening boat tour, I decided to do a second one in the afternoon. Two boat trips are better than one, at least in my book!

    fort william, scotland, uk, my trip to the highlands, ursula schmitz, lanscape, travel, nature

    This furry crew member made sure to greet every single passenger and took great care of us during the one hour trip on Loch Linnhe.

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    On the left, there is a part of an old crofting cottage visible. Today they often serve as holiday homes and have a very romantic and picturesque feel, but living in those little cottages was hard and not romantic at all!

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    The Black Rock on the left, usually filled with seals but they were out getting their Afternoon Tea!

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    That morning I woke up with a cold and took some extra care on the boat, it actually wasn´t that cold!

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    Benis Nevis behind the clouds..

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    And we´re back in Fort William! Time for my Afternoon Tea (and dinner)!