Fort William & The Jacobite

We woke to another clear but chilly morning and after breakfast headed out on a magical mystery tour, still a surprise for Ed on his 50th.

Our journey took us along the main road back towards Fort Augustus and then on to Fort William.

On the way we stopped at Bridge of Oich, an old suspension bridge and Invergarry castle. We'll set up time to visit the commando memorial adjust north of Spean Bridge. It was particularly poignant on VE day.

We drove on to Fort William and parked up. By now it was just before midday and I had told Ed that the activity started at 12:30. We had a quick drink while Ed ponded or what it might be. (He said afterwards that he was worried that it might be the downhill biking that is in Fort William, the longest downhill in the UK)

Just before 12:30 we walked back to the station and onto the platform for Ed's birthday afternoon treat, a trip on the Jacobite. This train runs 42 miles through the Highlands from Fort William to Mallaig.

The scenery on route was stunning and the weather definitely played its part. We carried on cross the Glennfinnan viaduct where the crowds of hundreds watching from the hills and in the valley as the steam train crossed.

Another 45 minutes in to Mallaig well we had a couple of hours to look around the town, which is mainly a fishing port.

We then made the return trip and as we had swapped sides, you had fantastic views across the Glenfinnan viaduct as the train turned the corner.

Once again we were treated to fantastic views of the islands and mountains that the route traverses.

We arrived back into Fort William at around 7:00 p.m. And then drove back to our hotel which took just over an hour. We finished the day with a couple of drinks in the bar watching the sunset and the sky turn pink over the mountains on the other side of Loch Ness.Read more