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With a poor weather forecast at high level David and Bill were dispatched to buy tickets for the train to Mallaig. This 84 mile trip is described as one of the great rail journeys of the world. After crossing the world famous 21 arch Glenfinnan viaduct, which has been used in Harry Potter movies, it stops in the village to give you time to stretch legs and visit the museum. Continuing on the journey there are views to various islands and  the southern tip of Skye, eventually reaching Mallaig with lots of time to explore before taking the return journey.

The skirt of the lone piper sees the intrepid travellers on their way

The Jacobite

and again

A welcome cup of tea at the dining car at Glenfinnan Station

The hills rising up from Loch Shiel at Glenfinnan,
site of 'The Raising of the Standard' to rally the clans by Bonnie Prince Charlie

A highland slowplough!

Our first view of Mallaig harbour - not raining - yet!

After a short walk the Isles come into view through the mist - Rhum?

The mountains of Skye dominate the northern horizon

Returning to the harbour and looking forward to fish & chips and a cup of tea

Returning to the hotel the view was stunning . . . well, in between the rain showers and low cloud

Loch Linnhe heads out to sea

North towards the Great Glen and Loch Eil

Loch Linnhe - shortly before the rain

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Day 2: The Nevis Gorge and Steall Falls
A short easy walk climbing through a wild, steep-sided, wooded gorge to Upper Glen Nevis and Steall waterfall, one of the finest falls in the Highlands. The weather forecast suggested that The Ben would be inhospitable but later we found out that the West Highland Way party ran up to the top and jogged back!

The water of Nevis above the lower falls car park

Low clouds shroud the mountains of the glen

Heads down and we're off . . . up the glen

Having reached the upper car park we admire the water slide pouring down from up on Ben Nevis

A glimpse of what lies ahead

A water hazard is negotiated

The natural power of the falls has eroded the walls of the gorge  . . .

creating smooth shining surfaces and hollows

The Steall Falls tumble down from the corrie between the peaks

Elevenses at the wire rope bridge

'Braveheart' David impresses the rest of the group with his high wire skills

Bill looks on as a helicopter swoops through the glen on a training run

Ben Nevis? The clouds clear before the rain

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Day 3: 'The Ben'
Despite the weather the groups elects to go fir it!!!!! It can only get better and after all this is what we came for.

The leaders strike out onto the mountain path at the foot of The Ben

Looking ahead and we are not deterred

Bill makes the ascent look so easy

The Glen gets further away as we ascend

The stairway to the top?

The long and winding road - are we nearly there yet???

Locahn Meall an t-Suide, the 'Tarn, the point of decision - do we carry on?

Pam and Derek lead the way

Dorothy takes a moment to count the bends

The leading pack stop close to the summit for a Winter pose - this is June isn't it??

The war memorial on the summit, but where is the trig point? Where are you Derek? . . . . Over here!

Finally there!!!!

And it's all smiles despite a misty wet day

The hut, and is this David appearing through the mist?

The highest lunch stop in the land!!

After descending in the rain and the mist - finally a view of Loch Linnhe from above

The group marches down the descending path to the tarn

Our destination lies below

The conquering hero, Bill strides home. "What a miserable day!" he cries. Bill would go to any lengths for a glass of Glenfarclas 105!

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