GLENFINNAN

Glenfinnan


About 15 miles from Fort William, on the Road to the Isles, stand the Glenfinnan monument and viaduct. The viaduct is now a very popular tourist attraction, there is a visitor center associated with it and the Glenfinnan monument, decicated to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite uprising which started in the area in 1745.

Glenfinnan viaduct


the Glenfinnan viaduct


The Glenfinnan viaduct

Glenfinnan monument

The pictures below show the Glenfinnan monument, erected in1815. The monument is at the end of Loch Shiel, in an area of great natural beauty...


glenfinnan monument and loch Shielglenfinnan monument

Christmas in Fort William

After 5 years in Fort William, I had never seen that much snow at sea level. I thought it was worth the drive to Glen Nevis to take a few photographs. The surroundings in the snow are really nice. This kind of weather would surely be best at Christmas but I take it now as it is and hope you like the few following pictures.






All the above photographs were taken in Glen Nevis, near the visitor center.

Pictures taken this summer

Here are a few additional pictures taken this summer in the area. I hope to get some free time during the winter to take and post some more photographs of this beautiful landscape under the snow.

More highland cattle, Glen Nevis

A few more photographs to show you the whole family! They don't seem to mind posing for the camera))

Boat trips and wildlife cruises

From Fort William town center, at the Crannog sea food restaurant, it is possible to book a short cruise on loch Linnhe.
Lenght of trips vary, from an hour up to half day trips, going further down towards Oban.
Wildlife here include seals, porpoises, sea eagles, dolphins and otters.
Depending on the time of year and luck you have, you will get to see plenty of it:o or none at all(((((...Unfortunately, I did not have much luck in my trip but hope to go back, for a longer one when I get enough free time for it. The only wildlife spotted then was the head of a black seal, for a couple of seconds only, which didn't give me enough time to take a picture. Nonetheless, the cruise was pleasant, with nice views over to Fort William and Ben Nevis and all the surrounding hills. I would advise to go for the longer cruises though. The one I took was just an hour long and we did not get to go very far( .


Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge.

About 10 miles North of Fort William, on the road to Inverness, lies the small village of Spean Bridge, outside of which is the Commando Memorial monument. This statue is dedicated to the forces having trained there in the early 1940's, and who have fought in the second World war.
Set on a hilltop, the memorial is a moving sight, worth a visit for the remembrance and the views towards nevis range and Aonach Mor.

Highland cattle

This is a sort of tribute to these beautiful animals!

They cooperate very happily when it comes to having their pictures taken as you can see in the following snapshots.


Mallaig and the road to the isles

West of Fort William, the A 830, nicknamed the "road to the isles", will lead you up to Mallaig, a small fishing harbour and the starting point for the ferry to the isle of Skye.
The nickname road to the isle comes from this simple fact and also the views towards the islands of Eigg and Rum, often painted by local artists and great sights on the horizon when the sun shines over the Atlantic Ocean. The road is very scenic but quite narrow and dangerous in places, care when driving is needed in some places. Having said that, some works are done to it at the moment and it is much better than it was just a couple of years ago so do not be put off by that.
You will drive through splendid sceneries, very varied with mountains and views of the ocean.
Morar and Arisaig are other places where you can stop to admire the views.
Here are some of the photographs I have taken today.

The first three show the white sands of Morar, just of the A830, take the alternative coastal road and stop at the first lay-by. The place is nice and sheltered, and the sand here is surprisingly clear. A nice surprise one would not expect in this part of Scotland.

White sands of Morar

The next picture was taken in Mallaig, a nice little fishing village.

The harbour of Mallaig

Next are photographs taken near Arisaig, with the locally famous view towards the isles of Eigg and Rum, with their distinctive shapes on the horizon, followed by the golf course at Arisaig.

View towards Eigg and Rum

Arisaig golf course


More pictures are coming very soon, stay tuned if you are interested in discovering this great area of Scotland.

Ben Nevis distillery

The Ben Nevis whisky distillery

Not a very well-known brand, but resisting commercial pressure and producing a good quality whisky, using only natural ingredients, the Ben Nevis is Fort William's local whisky, produced in the only distillery remaining in Lochaber.
The local distillery is situated on the A 82 towards Inverness. Over 175 year old, the distillery still produces blended and single malt whisky. It is possible to tour the distillery, situated at the foot of the highest hill in Great Britain...well worth visiting for those who want to know more about whisky making in general.


ben nevis whisky distillery


To find out more about whisky making ( a necessary part of your discovery of Scotland ), visit the following site: www.celtic-whisky.com
There is explained the process of making whisky, step by step, well made site...

Nevis forest, thistle

Just a couple of photographs taken on this rainy day on the path in Nevis forest.
Thistle, a national symbol in Scotland

The well maintained path in Nevis forest, ideal for walking, running or cycling.


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