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SCOTTISH TRIPS
BAIRDS TRAVELS AROUND SCOTLAND WEST HIGHLAND LINE Once a year Bairds travel takes the World Famous West highland Line Train trip. Features on the routes include Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest loch, Glen Falloch viaduct which is only a few feet less in height than the Forth Bridge, and Crianlarich, nestling beneath the mighty Ben More. On the Oban line, there is Scotland’s longest loch - Loch Awe - running through the striking Pass of Brander. The impressive cantilever bridge at Connel Ferry, which used to carry the Ballachulish branch line, and then Oban, the gateway to the Islands, which include Mull, Iona, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist.
En route to Fort William there is the famous horse-shoe bend just south of Bridge of Orchy, the barren wasteland of Rannoch Moor, and Britain’s only snow shed at Cruach cutting. Towering above Fort William is Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis and at Banavie, the locks of Neptune’s staircase on the Caledonian Canal.
The first ever viaduct in Britain made entirely of concrete is at Glenfinnan, where there stands the monument to the clansmen who followed Bonnie Prince Charlie when he raised his standard there in 1745. Soon you pass Loch Morar, Scotland’s deepest loch and then witness the fabulous views over the Atlantic before arriving at the little fishing port of Mallaig, where the ferries run to the Isle of Skye. GLENCOE 2007 We stayed at the Morven bed and breakfast Morven Cottage is a family home in the heart of Glencoe Village, in the highlands of Scotland.
The building itself is a traditional stone-built cottage, which has been sympathetically extended to provide comfortable en-suite accommodation.
A full Scottish breakfast (or vegetarian alternative) is served in the sun room beside the log fire.
http://www.morvenbnb.com/ THE CLACHAIG You alway have a good night at the Clachaig. The night we were there the Skinny Dippers were on. Good stuff The atmosphere at Clachaig is legendary, and is known throughout the world. The inn has three lively bars where good food is served throughout the day. Local venison, prime Scotch beef and Scottish salmon are popular favourites. Imaginative, mouth watering, vegetarian dishes are also featured daily.
AVIEMORE Aviemore, a year-round resort on the Spey, was opened in 1966 in the heart of the Highlands, at the foot of the historic rock of Craigellachie. Visitors flock here for its accessibility to some of the most beautiful scenery in the Highlands, especially the Cairngorm Mountains, known for their skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Stayed at Alt-na-Craig Hotel NOW CLOSED DOWN  LOCH KATRINE VIEWED FROM THE TOP OF BEN AN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORT WILLIAM We stayed at the Nevisbank Hotel Ideally situated close to the centre of Fort William in the magnificent Scottish Highlands, Nevis Bank Hotel is an attractive late 19th century building, which originally formed part of the famous “Glenlochy Whisky Distillery”.
Located at the end of the West Highland Way and by the entrance to Glen Nevis, known to many as ‘Braveheart Country’, this privately owned family hotel offers the very best in highland hospitality. Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis, or the 'Ben' as it is fondly known locally, sits majestically at the head of Loch Linnhe, its presence dominating the landscape from all corners of Fort William and some parts of Lochaber.
The dramatic effect of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, is emphasised by the fact that it begins its rise from sea-level on the shores of Loch Linnhe, to tower 4,406ft (1,344m) above the town of Fort William, providing an almost paternal presence MALLAIG
At the end of the mainland road and the West Highland Railway Line lies Mallaig, just over an hour from Fort William Mallaig is a fascinating place. Take no notice of those who claim it is has little to offer the visitor. It is a working port, and it is the port rather than the tourist that forms the main focus of the activity of the town. It makes a refreshing change to find a Highland town that still has this option. But if you have a soft spot for the sea and for boats (and if you don't, what are you doing in western Scotland?) then Mallaig is one of the most attractive and interesting places you'll visit. Woolly dugs in Mallaig [What Yvonne called them]
There was a time when the narrow road into Mallaig from Morar to the south approached over the hill behind the town and dropped down the main street. This changed in 1988 with the building of a high quality new road close to the west coast that brings you directly to the roundabout at the entrance to the harbour.
This roundabout is also very close to one of the main options available for visitors not just wanting to admire the boats. Mallaig Marine World, opened in 1993, allows you to view the local sea life, and it also provides background information about the port itself.
Schiehallion (translated as Fairy Hill of the Caledonians) is one of Scotland’s best known landmarks and best loved hills. Braes of Foss car park is the usual start point for an ascent (GR 753 558), located off a minor road that runs off the B846 between Tummel Bridge and Aberfeldy. From here an obvious path climbs to the broad and rocky summit ridge, where walkers can enjoy invigorating views over the Great Moor of Rannoch. In recent years The John Muir Trust, a leading wild land conservation body, has done extensive restoration work on the footpath. Birds of prey soar and hunt over Schiehallion and moorland birds such as grouse, ptarmigan and whinchats can also be seen.
The Munros
Scotland's highest mountains are known as Munros, named after Sir Hugh T. Munro who in 1891 surveyed all the country's mountains above 3000 feet (914.4 metres) and produced his Tables which catalogued 236 peaks that he deemed to be individual mountains. Over the years and with advances in surveying methods, there have been several revisions to Munro's original listing, the latest being in 1997. Currently, there are 284 Munros and a further 511 'Tops' (those peaks above 3000 feet which are part of a range or ridge but which are judged not to be a separate mountain). Climbing all the Munros, or Munro-bagging as it's usually called, is a very popular pursuit amongst the climbing and hillwalking fraternity. The first recorded Munro-bagger to climb all the 3000-feet peaks was the Rev. A. E. Robertson in 1901 and since then, the Scottish Mountaineering Club has recorded over 2800 intrepid souls who have 'compleated'.
The Corbetts
The Corbetts is the collective name given to the 221 distinct mountains in Scotland which are between 2500 (762 m) feet and 2999 (914 m) feet, and which have a re-ascent of 500 feet on all sides. They are named after John Rooke Corbett who in 1930 became the first person to climb all the 2000-feet-high peaks in Scotland. (He was also only the second person ever to complete all the Munros and Tops and the fourth to complete only the Munros). Like Munro-bagging, Corbett-bagging is a very popular pursuit. It has its own dedicated followers who claim that, in general, the Corbetts provide a better day's walking than the higher peaks. THECOBBLER IS A CORBETT
ANDY AND GERRY ABOUT TO TAKE ON THE COBBLER | |