The Most Scenic Railway Trip

This recommendation from our rail book was the start of it all. We were up at the crack of dawn to get bags packed and get to the station by 8:20.

We go our tickets the day before so had a nice reserved section with no other riders.

We are leaving Glasgow behind and heading for the Highlands.

Notice the sign also has the Gaelic name. This is common.

It didn't take long to get out of town and the hills opened up. Cows,horses, four different kinds of sheep, and some furry antlered deer. The hills got steeper and steeper and the narrow waterfalls started popping up all over.

We had hikers getting on and off at every stop. I guess doing different sections at a time. You could usually catch sight of them up on the hillside waving as we rolled by.

The terrain was more than the Smokies but less than the Rockies in the overall feel of grandeur. Most of the shots are in the less forested areas as the trees obscured the view. But gorgeous stands of Blue Spruce and other trees I did not recognize were plentiful.

We made it to Mallaig early afternoon, dropped off our luggage at The Marine Hotel and headed out to the restaurant around the corner for some fish and chips.

Then out for a stroll to take pictures.

We happened upon this subdivision on our way up to the overlook area. Would you not live here in a minute!

I was feeling guilty about not taking many pictures the day before so made my goal to get up to the aforementioned lookout to get a great shot for you guys. It was a 45 degree angle. The wind was about to blow us off the mountain. We are old. So you are getting a shot from 2/3rds the way up. You are welcome 

And here are some more shots of plants growing wild along our walks.

These look like Rhododendron 

I wish I had been taking pictures of all the dogs. They are everywhere and a lot of the restaurants have water bowls set around for them. It seems a very welcoming environment for all.

Tomorrow we take a bus over to Inverness for 3 nights. No telling what is in store for us there.