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~Water & Steam~

12th & 13th October 2012

Brave hearts and hardy souls endure or even enjoy the wettest part of Britain in all weathers. There may be a long list of things to do on a wet day, but nothing can beat a ray of sunshine or a clear blue sky to lift the spirits. Holidays in Scotland are booked with a wish that the waterproofs and brollies will remain in the boot, but rarely is this the case.

The Jacobite

The Jacobite at Fort William

Scroll down for photos and a description of the endurance test....

View from the B&B

Sea View

We travelled up to Fort William from Burnley on Thursday 11th and arrived in the rain. Our chosen B&B - Myrtle Bank Guest House is on the approach to FW and has a good view of the sea, in the form of Loch Linnie. Maybe it won't be raining in the morning...

Jacobite at Fort William

LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 45407 "The Lancashire Fusilier"

It's persisting it down as we prepare for a trip on The Jacobite, the steam-hauled daily service from Fort William to Mallaig.

"The Jacobite has been voted Greatest Railway Journey in the world for the second year running ... from the comfort of your seat, witness the beauty of the semi-wilderness of Lochaber and beyond." so says The West Coast Railway Company. Wow! Can't wait for this. At £32 per seat (Second Class) + a booking fee of £3.75, all punters must be really excited.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

The Best Bit

Unheated carriages, wet passengers, misted up windows. I carry a towel in my rucksac, so I wiped the window - no noticeable effect as moisture is smearing. Outside of the window is dirty and covered in rain drops. So basically the view is nil. The hardy can lean out of the windows and take photos like this. Luckily there is a trolley service, but it doesn't appear until well over half-way.

This frame is intentionally blank

The Rest of The Photos From The Outward Journey

They can't stop the rain, but this lot, their income swelled considerably by the fervour of Harry Potter, could do a lot better. There is heating available, windows can be cleaned, the trolley service could be much better. They try to sell you an illustrated guide to the line, so you can spot things of interest! I've been on this train several times over the years, nothing has changed/improved since the first time.

Steam Inn, Malaig

The Steam Inn, Mallaig

Hint: 300 folk all want refreshments in Mallaig. Get off promptly and be among the first to the cafe or pub. There are not enough places for all passengers at the same time. We were sharp and got in here quick and ate slowly, very slowly, so as to stay indoors for as long as possible. One hour and forty-five minutes is more than enough time in this destination.

Jacobite over viaduct

Return Trip

Somehow, the return trip was better. Maybe because I spent most of the time looking out of the window and the rain had eased. The engine runs backwards and puts in an impressive performance on the ascent to Glenfinnan.

Steam Train

Full Steam Ahead

So we head back to Fort William, where it is still raining.

Heavy Rain Forecast

Road Advice

I would really like the job of choosing the words for these bulletin boards. I think a little imagination could lead to more fun for the motorists. That's it for Day 1.

Fort William High Street

Fort William Main Street

Saturday morning in Fort William. This is the day we are supposed to be climbing Ben Nevis. Rain, low cloud and an off-putting Mountain Weather Forecast means we are not venturing up high.

Allt Coire Eoghainn

Allt Coire Eoghainn

We settled for an old favourite, The Steall Gorge and Waterfall. Parking is free at the top of the Glen Nevis road, the cascade (above) is a drainage channel from the south of Ben Nevis.

Steall Gorge Steall Gorge

Steall Gorge

The big waterfall comes into view (l) and the Water of Nevis (r) flows away, westwards towards Fort William.

Boulders An Steall
Boulders
An Steall

This must be one of the area's finest short walks. The burn is full of boulders (l), quite a sight. An Steall comes into view.

An Steall

An Steall

390ft waterfall, or maybe a cascade, but an amazing water feature. The raw material comes from The Mamores.

Andy on the rope bridge

Andy on The Rope Bridge

Crossing The Water of Nevis is by rope bridge. Andrew makes it look easy, but then he's been here before...

Andy 2001

In 2001

Andy 2006

In 2006

Andy 2008

And In 2008. You'll see me and Peter later on, as we return back over the river.

An Steall

An Steall

This is Scotland's second highest waterfall and standing underneath is fantastic. There comes a time when the camera has to be put away. But it comes out again as a couple make a meal of crossing the bridge.

Rope Walkers

Mr & Mrs

We really don't know why Mr. turned round and went back to meet Mrs. and then rummage in her pocket.

Me on the rope bridge

Me on the Rope Bridge

Peter on the rope bridge

Peter Crosses The River

The crossing is essentially easy, the key ingredient being confidence. Once you're on the other side, there is only one way back! Back to the car and then another short wander by the river from the Glen Nevis car park.

Curling Ponds

Curling Ponds

Curling ponds in Glen Nevis. We had a go, but our stones just splashed in the water.

Split Granite Boulder

Split Boulder

Someone has cut a granite boulder in half.

Ben Nevis Inn

Ben Nevis Inn

Our second walk happened to go past (or rather into) the pub, above. By now, we had decided to try again for "The Ben" tomorrow (Sunday), so it was essential that we go in the pub and ask a few walkers about the time taken, conditions etc.

Loch Linnie

Evening View of Loch Linnie

By the evening, the weather was improving and the hillside above Corpach is enjoying a little sunshine. A good sign for tomorrow.

Richard's Refreshment Review: The Ben Nevis Pub is a must for walk completers heading for the main car park. Good beers and long, refectory tables make for a great atmosphere.

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2012 ©

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Many a wet soggy day spent at Glenfinnan, Mallaig, Fort
William etc. Fun to see all the other photos of Andrew through the years on that
bridge. I am intrigued to know why that man returned to rifle through his wife's
pocket !! Ann H (via OFC)

~~~~~

Hello Richard,
The malais of Mallaig shows no sign of abating, we stayed in a lovely cottage there for a week a few years ago. It rained every day, the sun shone for about twenty minutes one day which was a novelty. I called at the pub a few times, arguments and fights were commonplace, that may have improved after we left but I imagine not. Enjoyed the photographs particularly the splendid waterfalls and the river crossing techniques.
Regards
Dave D

~~~~~

and my reply ..... "Thanks Dave, Mallaig is a dead-end and really not ideal for tourists. The Steam Inn has been refurbished and is quite welcoming - I suspect many of the cafes and bars now have an opening and food strategy to suit the influx of rail travellers. The walk up to An Steall is great, you'd love it. Willow Warblers darting around, a few high up birds - maybe buzzards. Notice board says you might see a golden eagle if you are lucky. Other stuff for nature and geology lovers."
Cheers,
Richard

 

Take me back to the start ....

Take me home....