Scottish Highlands, Scotland: Fort William and Glencoe

Following our Jacobite train ride, we raided the supermarket and checked in at a B&B at Fort William for the night. 

The theme for dinner that night (to the bride) - let's eat what you'd eat here in the UK (with an Asian flair). Which explains the hummus, cheeses, olives, salami and alcohol.

Then we (or I) read the sign on the door that said no food allowed in the rooms (huh, how is that possible?). So we spilled some soup and shifted some furniture. 

It was a homely place, with a view of a Loch (read: lake). 

And you get to choose what to have for breakfast.

"Hmm... Do you know what is black pudding? Try first! *giggles*" Eeeek, if I knew what it was I would never have chosen it! The breakfast at Lake District was and is, still the best!

We wandered around the cobbled streets of Fort William Town Centre for a bit. Which really meant we split up to do some shopping. 

Then we hit the road for the final leg of the trip - to Glasgow. For me to catch the train to Manchester Airport. 

If the Jacobite made for the most scenic train ride, then the Fort William-Glasgow route through Glencoe makes for the most scenic drive. The view was comparable to that of the valley from Deurali to Machhapuchere on the Annapurna Base Camp trek, sans the physical strain. So if you can't walk but want to see the sights, make sure to drive through Glencoe.

There was a nondescript drive stop and there were no crowds. Only us and the blue skies and rolling hills. With a tiny path alongside a tiny stream.

Then as with all good things, the sights morphed and we drove into Glasgow, trading the green for the brown.

Our last meal together was sushi, and I understood why J always has Japanese food when she returns to Singapore. Because Japanese food in Europe is not only, expensive but subpar. 

And that's my 17:09 express train from Glasgow to the airport. Train tickets can be affordable if you know the exact time of departure and buy way in advance, otherwise they are expensive!

A slight scare there - a train delay has the train stop just in front of some curious fellas.

With my trusty (and now dusty) Quechua, it's now time to say goodbye to UK 2015. Onwards to more great adventures.

Thank you for the company, J & co. I will remember the wedding and our Scotland getaway for a long time to come.

I'm reminded how much I love the country. 

Scottish Highlands, Scotland: The Jacobite (Fort William to Mallaig)

From Inverness, past Loch Ness, and it's on to Fort William. Just in time to meet up with the groom's half and board the Jacobite to the seaside town of Mallaig. It is the train otherwise known as the Harry Potter train - does the classic scene in which the train chugs along some arches (officially known as the Glenfinnan Viaduct) towards Hogwarts ring a bell? That's how the bride managed to lure me away from the Isles of Skye - I still want to visit the Isles and perhaps, catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights!

There aren't that many steam trains left and the Jacobite is one such train. I love train rides and I ride enough to know that it's not every time you'd have have such scenic views and soot entering the cabin - what an experience! Prior reservations are best made way before your visit here: http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/jacobite-steam-train-details.cfm . At the time of our visit, tickets are not available at the stations, but onboard the train ("see guard in coach D for details"). Here's the sign at the train station for more information:

There are limited food options at the Fort William train station, so we just grabbed some sandwiches (still, yummy).

There are many opportunities to catch a glimpse of the Jacobite from the front and pose for photos, whether at the Fort William, Glenfinnan (recommended) or Mallaig (recommended) train stations.

Welcome Aboard! An interesting fact - the train doesn't turn at Mallaig as there is no turntable, hence it will reverse (when seated at the same seat, you'd see the same side on the return ride but in reverse) - you can watch them move the engine and reconnect to the cabins at Mallaig. 

Food and drinks are expensive onboard but I couldn't resist a touristy map (1 pound, I think) and train whistle. 

The 41 mile rail trip between Fort William and Mallaig has been voted THE great railway journey of the world. When the line finally opened in 1901 it represented the culmination of a long battle against the elements. Many of the highlights of the line, like the mighty Glenfinnan Viaduct and the soaring Borrodale Bridge, still inspire awe in the traveller today. You can discover much more about the line at the Glenfinnan Station Museum. 

The weather in July, good; and the view, as expected, is breathtaking. 

The train first stops at Glenfinnan Station for a short while. 

Remember, the Viaduct Trail is not to be attempted! 

Then it's on to the most westerly station in Britain - Mallaig. 

At Mallaig, there is sufficient time to walk around the town and have seafood if you'd return within the day (seafood is very fresh and yummy - and it was just a random restaurant). Otherwise you can schedule a couple of days stay in Mallaig. 

We didn't stay throughout to watch how they moved the engine (food awaits). 

Enough time to snoop around and spy this Pooley weighing scale.

The classics - with mussels, soup and scallops my faves! The photos are bad it was awkward to be the only one photographing food in a table of 8.

I think we had about 1-2 hours before we had to take the return train to Fort William on the same day. We might have missed the classic viaduct shot on the way to Mallaig but we were not going to miss it on the return trip! 

Yes! Can you count the 21 spans? 

As the groom pointed out, the Viaduct is featured on the 10 pound Bank of Scotland note. Tip: Scottish notes make for a good "souvenir" - use Bank of England notes in Scotland and hope to get your change back in "Scottish" notes.

I didn't go shutter-crazy as I normally would on the Jacobite (and thereafter). It was a bit about the company (the bride was tired out and napping - she should have just let me drive, don't you think?) and experiencing the present. With photos, I can remember what I see, but without, I can remember how I felt.

The scenes, beautiful; the company, interesting; the food, unforgettable. But as always, I can revisit the place but I can never recreate the memory. The food, is sure to disappoint on my next visit. 

And I will never know what tax he did.