Scotland!: Fort William

As we left Skye we made one final stop at the northern end of the Cuillin Hills at a place called the Fairy Pools (not to be confused with the Fairy Glen). Visitors to the pools can sometimes enjoy swimming in the blue-green water of the run-off from the hills. The pools and associated falls extend for about 5 miles and include a lovely hike along the water to reach the favorite swimming hole that reportedly has an underwater arch to swim under and through. Given the rainy, but thankfully not windy day we visited, we explored only about a 1/2 mile of the lower pools. The water was incredibly cold but was remarkably clear and the falls were rushing madly, so much that I couldn't hear what Chris was saying only a few feet away.

Sofie and Noah at bottom of the Fairy Pools

From there we traveled along the scenic A87 to Fort William. Along the way, our rental car sputtered to a stop along the motorway, in the rain, on a hill, on the left side of the road. A Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue van pulled up as if summoned and kindly towed us a few miles to a safe pullout overlooking the beautiful Loch Lochy (Lake Lakey?) where we contacted Hertz by phone and they arranged for a local garage to pick us up. (Thank goodness for audio books, as the wait was about an hour and 15 minutes.) Our delay caused us to miss our appointment at the Ben Nevis High Wire Adventure Course but given the rainy conditions, it probably worked out for the best.

Along the scenic A87 to Fort William

Stranded above Loch Lochy

Panoramic view

We arrived in Fort William only a few hours later than anticipated with the car safely at a local garage. It all in all worked out quite well, as the car wouldn't be ready until the following afternoon, and we were booked already on a day trip aboard the Jacobite Railway which would take us by steam train from Fort William along the coast to a quaint fishing village called Mallaig. Having survived the car fiasco we now only had to face a raucous Scottish wedding at the hotel ... The staff was very apologetic. ☺

The Jacobite Railway has been operating as a tour train since 1984 and the steam locomotive dates back to 1949, though the line itself is about 200 years old and was used as part of the land clearances that took Scots off their lands and dissolved the clan system. The ride was peaceful and took us through some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery. Many movies have been filmed in this area like "Local Hero" and in particular this was the part of the setting for the Harry Potter series, using the train as the Hogwarts Express. We also traveled over the Glenfinnan viaduct which can be seen in the HP films, as well as the island that became Dumbledorf's final resting place. The town of Mallaig was small, quaint and the lobster was excellent.

Playing the Viking Game aboard the Jacobite Railway.

The Jacobite steam train making its way over the Glenfinnan viaduct.
(Picture taken with my phone from the open window which was too small
to get my Nikon through.)

Sofie and Noah in front of the steam engine in the rain

Mallaig Harbour

Upon return, the car was good to go, and we headed south to more central Scotland which would take us to the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Again, the drive was ridiculously beautiful, and although the rain prevented us from stopping often, we were able to take in the endless stretches of greenery which climbed to rocky, scarred crags high above the mist.