Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig, then Inverness

Today was hot! I'm absolutely melting sitting here as I type this post tonight from Inverness. Not very happy with the room I've been allocated, but I'll leave that until later.

The plan for today was to pack up from Ballachulish, cases were put on the bus, then the bus (or coach as they like to call it) took us into Fort William station where we connected with the Jacobite Steam Train  that would take us through to Mallaig.

Here you go train fanatics in my family!!!

Jacobite Steam Train

Jacobite Steam Train

Jacobite Steam Train

Jacobite Steam Train

Jacobite Steam Train

This trip was probably the reason I chose this tour. I have always wanted to do it, so its another thing to tick off the bucket list.

We were given First Class tickets as part of the deal!

My carriage

 

At the table in my carriage

 They served us tea or coffee as part of the deal and a shortbread biscuit

The trip was just delightful. The scenery was still magnificent as always and it was such a pleasure to be able to just sit and watch it out the window. I couldn't take many photos as we went along... just managed a few of the Glenfinnan viaduct.

Glenfinnan viaduct taken from the train

Glenfinnan viaduct taken from the train

We stopped at the Glenfinnan station for about 15 mins... the locals made the most of our visit.

Glenfinnan Station

Glenfinnan Station

Local Entertainment!

More info about the train...

Train info

Went through Arisaig, which is the most westerly station in the British Isles....

Then we arrived in Mallaig which is a most delightful seaside town across the sea from Skye - in fact the ferry goes over there with your cars if you desire...

Ferry to Skye

Here's some pics of Mallaig on a very hot day... it was too hot to sit in the sun. Had to find a cafe for refuge...

Port of Mallaig

Port of Mallaig

Port of Mallaig

Info about Mallaig from Wikipedia


Mallaig /ˈmælɪɡ/ ( listen);^[2] (Scottish Gaelic: Malaig [ˈmal̪ˠɛkʲ]) is a port in Lochaber, on the west coast of the Highlands of Scotland. The local railway station, Mallaig, is the terminus of the West Highland railway line (Fort William & Mallaig branch), completed in 1901, and the town is linked to Fort William by the A830 road – the "Road to the Isles".
The village of Mallaig was founded in the 1840s, when Lord Lovat, owner of North Morar Estate, divided up the farm of Mallaigvaig into seventeen parcels of land and encouraged his tenants to move to the western part of the peninsula and turn to fishing as a way of life.^[3] The population and local economy expanded rapidly in the 20th century with the arrival of the railway.^[3] Ferries operated by Caledonian MacBrayne and Bruce Watt Sea Cruises sail from the port to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, Inverie in Knoydart, and the isles of Rùm, Eigg, Muck, and Canna. Mallaig is the main commercial fishing port on the West Coast of Scotland, and during the 1960s was the busiest herring port in Europe.^[3] Mallaig prided itself at that time on its famous traditionally smoked kippers, but today only one traditional smokehouse remains, Jaffy's and Sons. Mallaig and the surrounding area is a popular area for holidays.


Some views from the coast of Mallaig

Off the coast of Mallaig

Off the coast of Mallaig

Off the coast of Mallaig Isles of Eigg and Rhum

It's a beautiful place and twice a day, when the train comes in, the town floods with visitors...

So after about an hour in the town, the bus came to collect us and took us back to Glenfinnan, so we could climb to a vantage point and see the team train going back to Fort William.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct

Train coming Fort William

Steam Train heading back to Fort William

Steam Train heading back to Fort William

Apparently the afternoon train was not allowed to have steam engine, as there was a chance of fire from the sparks. It really was a very hot day and they had bush fires already yesterday in the Highlands.

After all that excitement, we hopped back on the coach and headed for Inverness.

Mallaig to Inverness

It was a long bus ride.... followed the lochs, so was very pretty, but the road was very windey. To be honest when I booked this tour, I thought there was more rail and less bus, but it's not quite working out like that. Still the scenery is beautiful, so me no complain.

View across the river

View across the rive

Arrived safely in Inverness and the hotel is in a beautiful position, right on the River Ness.

I have been very lucky in the accommodation I've had so far, but tonight's is not going to win any prizes... I get a bit cheesed off when you have to pay extra for single supplement, then you get stuck in a little dog box. I can barely fit myself and my suitcases in my room.
Also, I know this weather is exceptional and unseasonable, but my room is sweltering and had the afternoon sun beating in... and of course they don't run to air conditioning. Not a happy camper tonight.


Aaah well, focus on the positives and move on....

Tomorrow is another  day..... !!!!!