Scottish West Highland Holiday

**cessna152towser** · 27th July 07, 12:03 PM

Just home today from our week's holiday in the West Highlands. We stayed at a small hotel, The Old Pines, situated on the minor road between Spean Bridge and Gairlochy. A short walk from the hotel took us to the junction of the main Glasgow-Fort William-Inverness road (A82) and the Commando Monument.

Detail of the Commando Monument.

Monarch of the Glen fans will recognise this village store.

Also this railway scene

Broomhill railway station on the Strathspey Railway was where scenes of actors arriving or leaving Glenbogle were filmed.

Another train - this time the Jacobite about to set off from Fort William for Mallaig.

These bifurcated pipers playing at Glenfinnan came from Wellington, New Zealand.

Once at Mallaig I took to the hills - here with Mallaig harbour in the background.

**cessna152towser** · 27th July 07, 12:15 PM

The mouth of Loch Nevis, north of Mallaig.

North-west Scotland has escaped the excesses of rain which we have had closer to home and the hills above Mallaig were fine and dry for hiking.

Back at the station Florence the train guard, with the kilted train steward await departure for the return trip.

On the esplanade at Fort William.

Next a visit to Inverlochy Castle at Fort William

The castle dates from 1280 and was a Comyn family stronghold.

It stands adjacent to where the River Lochy flows into the tidal Loch Linnhe.

Comyn's Tower, the laird's living quarters, in one corner of the castle - more to follow shortly.

**cessna152towser** · 27th July 07, 12:25 PM

Admission to the castle is free.

A final view of Inverlochy Castle.

The front of the hotel gave a good view of the Nevis range - A few patches of last winter's snow are still wedged in some of the north facing corries of Ben Nevis.

Out walking near the hotel.

Arisaig Highland Games were held on Wednesday - what a lovely setting!

Arisaig Games are sister games to those at Loch Norman and Clan Donald were well represented - quite a few kilted Americans here but I didn't recognise anybody who posts here on x-marks.

Heavies. Second from left is Harrison Bailey.

Highland Dancers
More to follow shortly.

**cessna152towser** · 27th July 07, 12:36 PM

Whisky tent.

A nice earthy tartan.

A final view from Arisaig Games.

This bus driver wears a kilt to work every day - earlier in the week we had seen him in a black kilt but when we met up with him again at Fort Augustus he was clad in Dalrymple tartan.

Fort Augustus, with the south end of Loch Ness in the background.

There is a series of locks at Fort Augustus.

Here boats travelling from Inverness to Fort William leave Loch Ness and ascend the locks to the Caledonian Canal.

**Colin** · 27th July 07, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

Back at the station Florence the train guard, with the kilted train steward await departure for the return trip..

It looks like he is wearing a Freelander sporran...

**cessna152towser** · 27th July 07, 12:42 PM

At Fort Augustus I purchased a budget kilt in McKenzie tartan, and a McKenzie clan crest kilt pin. Two hundred years ago my great-great-great grandfather John McKenzie was a soldier. He married Jane Hamilton from Paisley in 1803 and I am descended from their youngest daughter Isabella born in 1821. Isabella McKenzie later married Alexander Cunningham. This tartan had been on my wants list for a while.

The obligatory back view, showing the pleats. The kilt is made from a mix of polycotton and rayon.
More to follow shortly.