A visit to the UK in 2009

Click on a picture to get a larger version, and then use the arrows above it to move through the album

From Skye to Mallaig was a fairly smooth crossing.

The Scottish Highlands meet the North Atlantic

Mallaig harbour

A contrast of colour and "class".

There's something so attractive about fishing ports.

Setting off on the famous "Jacobite" steam train

Wild and empty ...

… except the the occasional lonely house.

What the clouds didn't hide, the steam and coal smoke obscured, ...

but there is no doubt it is one of the world's most beautiful train journeys.

And then of course there is the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct (made even more famous by Harry Potter et al).

There is such a crush at the windows to photograph the bridge that I think many people forget to look at the Glenfinnan Monument and nearby Loch.

My turn at the window again, just as we chug slowly off the viaduct.

A little more sunshine as we left the Highlands and headed south.

Our trusty locomotive.

On to another Victorian marvel: Neptune's staircase at Fort William.

It's a succession of locks which convey vessels down a long hill between two lochs.

Then the road and railway swing to one side, allowing the boat to sail away.

I wimped out from doing The Cobbler in the pouring rain, and did the yellow route instead (a gentle 10 km).

White Thistle

More geology.

More lichen ...

and more moss.

Purple Thistle and a visitor

Arrochar on Loch Long with Ben Lomond in the background.