Glenfinnan Viaduct

What a magnificent breakfast we got up to! The guy had got up at 6 and baked four fresh rolls for us there was the usual Scottish breakfast of bacon, egg, mushroom, haggis slice, black pudding, sausage, mine minus the beans and tomato. I had yogurt and blueberries beforehand foolishly. I couldn’t eat it all and took the haggis and sausage for Breagha later and the rolls and honey for our journey home as didn’t want them wasted.

The highlight of today was the whole Glenfinnan experience. I’m not a Harry Potter fan but am a Viaduct and steam train fan and the magnificence of the feat of engineering and the location next to the mountains with the sun shining made this a sight to behold. The NTS car park was already full at 945 but our host had told us to park at the hotel where we had the meal last night and walk up - good tip!

A viewing site is situated on the circular walk overlooking the Viaduct and tension was building amongst the HP fans as the time neared 1045! When the train came round the bend there was a gasp of excitement! It really was fab esp when it sounded the horn and the steam blew out.

We walked round the hillside to the old station which is also a museum and you were allowed one family at a time in.

Went back to the hotel for coffee and magnificent pecan and chocolate cake before walking back to the NTS centre to see the Monument at the head of Loch Shiel in honour Bonnie Prince Charlie when he arrived in Scotland from France. What a spot for a monument.

Skies were darkening and it was time to head home to Perth via Glencoe (which was shrouded in mist and rain ugh).

I have LOVED this mini break to this region . The sheer beauty of the mountains and beaches have been breathtaking. The Ardnamurchan area I saw also beautiful with the ancient oak and pine trees also fab. The single track road wasn’t great when we met a logging lorry but we survived it LOL!

I really don’t think there is scenery anywhere in the world like Scotland and with our right to roam makes it a walkers and climbers paradise. We will return here soon.

Edit: Completely forgot to say it’s our 14TH wedding anniversary!