12 May – Slow train to Hogwarts or rather Mallaig

So an early start today as we had to be at Fort William by 10.00 to board the steam train to Mallaig. This is the route used in the Harry Potter films when they are going to Hogwarts over the viaduct. The drive down was lovely as the sun is shining again and it was one of those really nice ‘early’ mornings that are still quite chilly but the sun is out so there is a light mist. We stopped on the way at the commandos museum which was dedicated to those lost in the second world war but has subsequently been expanded to a place where anyone lost in battle can be remembered and even have their ashes scattered if they wish. We arrived a little early so went and had a look at the engine then went and found our seats. The train was great and we had a fantastic view of Neptune’s staircase flight of locks, then on to Glenfinnan Viaduct which is the famous one, next we had a stop at Glenfinnan, I hadn’t realised that the steam train used the main train line so we had to stop to let the normal service go though the station! The next stop on the line is Arisaig which is a request stop, but no one requested the stop so we went straight on to Mallaig. This is a very small town that was created to build the fishing industry in the 19th which it did successfully, but unfortunately recently has been in decline again. We had lunch at the fisherman’s mission – well you have to support local industry where you can don’t you? Then it was time to get back on the train and return to Fort William.
On the dive back to Inverness we decided to stop at the Ben Nevis ski centre, not quite Breckenridge but a larger complex than I expected. We went up the gondola and the view from the top was wonderful well worth the detour. We got back to the cottage about 7.00, then set off for something to eat.