We were so lucky with our weather when we flew to Scotland for a few days holiday, we took waterproofs and fleece with us, but neither were needed. Each day started misty but soon the sun came through and was positively scorching! We flew to Inverness from Bristol, the flight took just over an hour, travelling from one end of the country to the other so quickly and is a lot cheaper than the train or driving. This was however a railway holiday for the under gardener which he booked when he got the “all clear” from the hospital in Exeter.
Bridge over the River Ness.
The Bridge over the River Ness was well lit up when we went for an evening stroll after dinner. Inverness is in the north eastern part of Scotland.
Glenfinnan viaduct.
Sorry about reflections, some of the photos were taken from inside the carriage. The first day we went from Fort William to Mallaig in the north west of Scotland behind a steam locomotive on the Jacobite Line. The Glenfinnan viaduct is semi circular in shape and is a really imposing structure.
Stunning scenery from the train.
We passed some really beautiful scenery while on the train, this is a view of Loch Ailort on the west coast.
Our steam engine, The Jacobite.
The line stops in Mallaig which is a small fishing village, boats from here take you on to the Isle of Skye if you wish to travel further.
Mallaig harbour
Carvings to honour those lost at sea.
On the sea front, I found these carvings to remember those who have been lost at sea while fishing.
Carving of sea creatures.
We were surrounded by stunning scenery whichever way we looked.
The Island of Rhum, just off the coast.
Old boat with a new use.
Just before we left Mallaig I found this old boat which had been put to good use. The flowers were mainly lobelia, nasturtiums and a few antirrhinums.
Ragwort.
I was amazed at how much Ragwort I saw growing at the roadside, knowing how poisonous it is to horses and cattle. But then, thinking about it, this is sheep country, so hopefully they are immune to its toxic effects.
The Jacobite making its return journey.
We had now transferred to a coach so were able to stop and see our engine making its return to Fort William.
Memorial to the Commandos of the 2nd World War.
This part of Scotland is where the Commandos did their training before going to Europe to fight, a very moving place.
The memorial garden to the brave soldiers.
Stunning scenery surrounding the memorial.
Castle Urquhart.
On the way back to Inverness we stopped at Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness, no Nessie wasn’t showing herself that day!
Hanging baskets in Inverness
We were very impressed by all the hanging baskets on nearly every building and lamp post in Inverness, they were amazing.
This one, next to the hotel was really huge, everyone was photographing it!
I think I will have to do a post for each day of our break, I can’t believe how many photos I took in just a few days. Don’t worry, I won’t show them all !
What a wonderful holiday this must have been–beautiful scenery coupled with trains, flowers, and history! My travel group was surprised to see a steam engine this past Sunday near Great Dixter and it was an amazing sight. Kudos to the experts who keep these historic trains running. I hope you had a lovely trip and were refreshed by your travels.
It was a wonderful few days, thank you Marian. There is definitely something quite nostalgic about a steam engine, I’m not surprised your group enjoyed seeing one, I can remember they were the norm when I was a child!
Fabulous Pauline. I love this part of the country and look at the colour of that sky! You were so lucky with the weather.
It is a super part of the country Jessica, with so much fantastic scenery. Yes, the sky really was that blue, it was amazing and it lasted for most of our trip.
I’m glad you enjoyed your time up here in Bonnie Scotland. I am always envious of how your gardens and blossoming give to six weeks before us up here. On the other hand my garden is in full bloom and it is half way through September. Philip
It was wonderful Phillip, thank you for arranging the weather for us! We noticed that the gardens were full of flowers, whereas ours is beginning to wind down, never mind, each season has its plus points.
So glad the weather did you proud. I am feeling quite ‘homesick’ 🙂
It was wonderful Rosemarie, it couldn’t have been better. The hotel was good with lovely food and the scenery was so beautiful, in all a really good few days.
The colour and purity of the light is always what impresses me about images of the north of Scotland and the islands. Looks like you had perfect weather to enjoy your holiday. It is amazing isn’t it that it costs less to fly than to go by train, I think that’s quite sad really; I have lovely memories of the train journey up to Edinburgh with a school friend, but it was six hours and so nowhere near as far north as Inverness! I’ll look forward to sharing more of your trip.
The light was amazing Christina and the weather was perfect! It is sad that flying is cheaper than the train, by a lot, not just a little bit. You see so many lovely things by train that you never see by car even. Back in my childhood, everything was hauled by steam locos, that shows how old I am!
So glad the weather was good for you. We also did that Jacobite train earlier in the year. It was quite something. I haven’t had time to post any photos of all my summer trips yet, but might get round to it during the winter months.
Inverness is in a lovely part of Scotland when the weather is good – we are planning to go back more often. Hope you will come back too.
We were prepared for rain Annette, we had our waterproofs with us, but thankfully they weren’t needed. It is a wonderful journey isn’t it, such magnificent scenery. I’m sure we will be back to the north of Scotland in the future, we have had so many wonderful holidays up there over the years, it is hard to stay away!
With my Scottish heritage, I’ve always wanted to make a trip like this to Scotland, but never have. I did visit Edinburgh for a few days while I was in college (a long time ago). Thanks for sharing your photos of your trip. My husband loves trains and would have lobbied for a train trip too. Looking forward to more posts.
Yes, Alison, you must come, the scenery is spectacular! Tell your husband that there are lots of heritage railways for him to enjoy, I think you would both enjoy it, and there are lots of lovely gardens too.
Such a fabulous view of Scotland! My husband dreams of going back, and now I am tempted to go with him.
Yes Jayne, you are in the same situation as Alison, only the other way round! I can thoroughly recommend it, the scenery is amazing, the people very friendly, the food was wonderful where we stayed, but we were very lucky with the weather! They have some really good gardens too.
We travelled in Scotland by car, when we lived in Switzerland. I have fond memories of both Inverness, and steam trains.
How amazing Diana that you have been to Inverness too! We love that part of Scotland and have had a few holidays in that area, looking at the wildlife.
The holiday looks lovely! The Glenfinnan viaduct is spectacular, and it’s great that you had lovely weather to enjoy the scenery
The viaduct is an amazing structure Matt and with a steam train passing by -perfect! We were certainly so lucky with the weather, I’ve never known it to be so good up there, the locals were saying that it was the best week of the year for sunshine!
I came across one or two of your posts, Pauline, where you’ve labelled a Lonicera with purple berries as L nitida – nitida has shorter, rounder leaves and rarely flowers. I think you’ve got L pileata.
Here’s a link to bush Loniceras on the RHS website: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-results?f_plant_habit_bushy=f/plant_habit/bushy&query=lonicera&form-mode=false&context=b%3D0%26hf%3D10%26l%3Den%26q%3Dlonicera%26s%3Ddesc%2528plant_merged%2529%26sl%3DplantForm&unwind=undefined
Sorry about the length!
Anthony
You’re right Anthony, thanks for pointing it out. At my age, names just vanish, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!
I love that trip to Mallaig too! Strange how the train slows down for that viaduct, and people dash to one side of the carriage with their cameras! The journey seems to get more magical the further you go. Catching a ferry will take you to further delights…
It is a superb viaduct Anthony, but I can’t say that there was anyone dashing to our side of the carriage though. We were just behind the engine, it would have been better if we had been further back, we would have seen more of the engine. The scenery is amazing and we were so lucky with the weather.