Scotland No 1

Took the long anticipated train journey on the West Highland line from Glasgow’s Queen Street Station which was bustling at 8.20 am on an grey Wednesday morning.

The journey took in a range of beautiful scenery dominated by lochs of all sizes usually with tall bare hills as a backdrop.

We were glad we took this mode to reach the highland town of Fort William.

With Geoff not feeling 100% and managing some frequent “through the eye of a needle” performances we took to strolling along the High Street mall looking at trekking gear shops and other warm clothing retailers.

This is walking and climbing country and the place was alive with a combination of the those and a very large group of elderly - well, older than us anyway - and a bus load of French speaking 14 - 15 ish kids who were buying up big on trashy souvenirs.

Took a short nap in the “arvo” and booked a table at a loch-side seafood restaurant for 7 o’clock.

The meal was extremely good.

On Thursday, May 10 we were glad to be out of the cold wind and occasional showers as we took the return journey on the last part of the West Highlands rail - Fort William to Mallaig.

Once again very fine vistas across barren and rugged mountains and then over large expanses of loch.

This is the part of the line that crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct - the curved and arched one featured in some of the Harry Potter movies.

Back in Fort William, we had Chinese for tonight’s meal. None yet to beat Traf’s Natural Garden. No Milli, the staff were just ordinary.

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