“Thursday I went on a trip which went by bus down the Great Glen (Caledonian Canal) then by train to Mallaig, the best train ride I’ve ever had. I really felt as though I was on the “road to the isles. The train follows beside Loch Eil with beautiful views on Ben Nevis, then high above the end of Loch Shiel with the Prince Charlie memorial far below, then by other small lochs to Loch Ailort and Morar – a lovely rocky and sandy bay, over which you look to the sea, Eigg and Rum. Mallaig is just a fishing village, but wonderful steamer trips around the coasts and islands leave from there. Then we sailed “over the sea to Skye”. We went round the south coast with wonderful views of the Cuillins. There are no towns on that part of the Island, but we had 1/4 hour ashore, clambering over rocks, water, heather and mud. I took snaps returning on the train and am thrilled that the came out well though it was pretty dull, and the train was moving – I was glad to get a couple of good ones of Ben Nevis from Loch Eil.”
Jean’s letter to her sister Mary, London, 6th September, 1951
Ben Nevis from Loch Eil (taken from the train):
Loch Sheil (from the train):
Morar and Mallaig:
Distant views of the Coullins, Skye:
Loch Scavaig and the Coullins, Skye:
