Glenfinnan & Glencoe
Back on the mainland, just across the water from Isle of Skye, we stopped in at Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th Century castle on a small tidal island where three sea lochs meet, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, in the western Highlands of Scotland. A picturesque castle that frequently appears in photographs, film and television dominates the tiny island.
Jarrah also saw something moving in the wood pile in the courtyard of the Castle – on closer inspection it was the cutest, most curious little stoat (or weasel) that moved a high speed – darting in and out of the wood pile while checking us out (see if you can spot him/her in the pics below).
We then headed on to Glenfinnan – if you’ve seen the Harry Potter films, you will recognise the iconic viaduct that the Hogwart’s express (aka the Jacobite Train) travels across. What I didn’t know, was that the Scottish “Jacobite Train” is the train used in the movie and you can take a ride on it to Mallaig. Unfortunately, when I tried to book, it was only running on weekends from the following week but was also sold for that entire week. So, we had to satisfy ourselves with a view and pics of the Glenfinnan viaduct only (for now).
The next day, we headed off in the rain, mist etc for a drive through some of the more scenic areas around Glencoe/Fort William and went for a couple of walks – one vertically up a hill again but the view from the top made it worth it … almost 🙂
Stunning scenery around here, dramatic mountains, lochs like glass and beautiful autumn colours make for beautiful contrasts.
Daily Giggle:
Some people at the Glenfinnan viaduct were “certain” that the train was running and were waiting to take a pic as it came past. We decided not to wait (I had faith in my research 🙂 ) but we were keeping an eye out as we were driving close to the train lines all the way to Mallaig. All of a sudden, we saw a large plume of smoke off to the left, I shot down a narrow lane at high speed to get closer, nearly taking out the undercarriage of the car several times on the pot-holed, crumbling, single lane road, only to find … it was smoke from a farmhouse chimney in the valley! 🙂 (That also explained the lack of any noise from the steam train)
RALLY CAR DRIVER IN THE MAKING
6 Comments
Diane Cooper
Your pics realy bring home to me just how diverse and rich our planet is. Just a few weeks ago, you were sharing pics from Greece – of the most stunning azure waters, white-washed buildings etc and now you’re sharing pics from Scotland with the richest, deepest autumn landscapes. It’s soooo vivid – I can almost feel the dampness of the air, the smell of moss. Although as I sit here with no shoes on, I’m glad it’s not as cold here :).
Des
The pics of Scotland are making me want to go and see it, it is just to beautiful. Being a Harry Potter fan also helps 🙂
Patricia Forner
Thank you for bringing such beauty into my life. I’ve neer been to Scotland. Gosh, now I think I must up and go when it is possible to travel again, maybe in a few more years. Love to you and Jarrah, stay safe, warm and dry!
Christopher Urtz
I honestly never realized how many films / shows that I had seen that must’ve been filmed in Scotland. This is probably the one time where I have nothing witty to add. Just find the scenery in these pics fantastic!
Sandy
Mr Urtz speechless? That must be a first! 🙂
Theresa
Oh My Gosh the fall color’s , the reflections in the Lochs, and to top it off the Hogwort’s viaduct!! What an adventure!!