Monday, was a wet day, however we did manage a short walk around Pitlochry in the afternoon without getting wet!
Tuesday, we left Pitlochry, heading for Fort William, but we decided to drive the longer route via Perth and Glen Coe, which is such a stunning road to drive, with remote mountain views, that we cannot capture on camera. Our camp site was at Glen Nevis, just past the Ben Nevis visitors centre, where everyone starts the Ben Nevis climb. The campsite is another one that you do not need to ‘check in’, as they email you a pitch number, so you just turn up and drive straight to your pitch.
The weather forecast for the next few days was not great, and definitely not good for an enjoyable attempt at Ben Nevis (50mph gusts and up to 5cm of snow on the summit), so Rog decided it was not going to happen, however the weather did not appear to stop lots of people setting off.
The weather also put paid to a fair weather walk out from Corrour train station, UK’s most remote station, it is 17 miles of gravel track to the nearest public road, or 25 miles back to Fort William via a very boggy path including fords to cross, so given recent weather and the forecast this was not going to happen on this visit – call Rog a fair weather walker, but if it’s not going to be enjoyable why do it!
So, Wednesday, we walked the couple of miles in to Fort William, had a little wander through the high street, then got the train from Fort William to Mallaig, you can do the Jacobite Stream train at the bargain price of £52 per person, or like us you can pay £11 each for the normal Scotrail train which does exactly the same journey, and you get to see the stream train at either end. The route has been voted one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, which also includes crossing the Glenfinnan viaduct, used in the Harry Potter films.
We went to the Bakehouse in Mallaig and shared a stunning Sausage roll, chocolate Brownie and cinnamon roll, had a drink in the West Highland Hotel, for old time sake, we stayed there last time we were in Mallaig.
We then got the train back to Fort William, had good beer and great pizza at the Black Isle Bar, before going to the cinema to see the new Marvel film “Dr Strange and the Multiverse of Madness”.
Thursday was a very wet day, we didn’t leave the campsite, but you could still see the beginning for the Ben Nevis path with hardy souls heading up!
Friday, another wet morning, but it did brighten up in the afternoon, so we headed out for a circular walk from the campsite, which does a lower part of the Ben Nevis path. We spoke to a group of walkers coming down, who had not summited, because the weather was so bad and they had not enjoyed their day, so we probably made the right call.
Saturday, we packed up and headed off to Inverness, driving the length of the “Great Glen” stopping at Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, another entrance fee covered by our Manx Heritage passes. No sign of Nessie.
Pitched up at the campsite on the outskirts of Inverness, next to the Caledonian Canal, and walked in to the City Centre. Nic was on the hunt for some good sourdough bread, which we found!
Sunday, started as a lovely sunny day, sitting outside the motorhome in the sun was really warm. So, we decided to cycle down the Caledonian Canal to the sea lock, the sun was still out, but a bitter wind had kicked up, so headed back to the campsite cycling beside the river. Also managed a walk in the opposite direction up the Canal, before the rain started.
Travurple 