Quote: Originally posted by Dippy27uk on 07/6/2010
is the war memorial the glenfinnan monument maybe?
The Glenfinnan monument is where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the standard for the 1745 rebellion. Spean Bridge has the Comando Memorial which is the War Memoria. It was made to commemorate the Comando's who trained in the area during WWII
You mention that one of your primary objectives is to have a crack at Ben Nevis then go onto ask for ideas that don't involve any strenuous slogging up hills, I don't wish to state the bleeding obvious but that is the biggest 'hill' in the British Isles and not one to be taken lightly.
Fort William is okay of you like outdoor shops, I'm afraid there's not much else there other than the fact that you are in one of the most spectacular parts of the UK.
Anyway back to ideas, pretty much as others have said, the Commando Memorial is worth a look, the road to Mallaig is a must and passes the Glenfinnan Monument and the Viaduct, to be honest the train ride is a rip off if travelling by the steam train although the scheduled 'normal' service is reasonable but driving is better as you can stop off at any point. Also on the Mallaig road are the white sands of Morar, Arisaig and if you check the times of the steam train and park yourself in a picturesque spot you can get a cracking picture of it passing by. Mallaig is a bit of a disappointment after such a cracking drive but the fish and chips are nice.
The cable car up Aonach Mor is good but when you get there take the trouble to do the 2 easy walks to the viewpoints, the distances and times stated on the route guides are a bit excessive and they are easy to complete and well worth it if the day is fine. Watch out for the cyclists tackling the downhill course who must be either very brave or plain nuts.
The A82 through Glencoe must rank as one of the best stretches of road in the country in terms of scenery. Every turn has a WOW! factor.
The road to Mallaig is the A830 and it was not always as wide and as pleasant as it is now.
The 830 Lyrics by Ian McCalman
'A classic song about Scotland’s most scenic and most dangerous road, glad to say now much improved, but fond memories linger.'
He was driving up to Mallaig Glenfinnan by Lochshiel Heading for Lochailort content behind the wheel The road was getting narrower the sign said slow It’s the Highland daily dodgems it’s the 830
There is a natural assumption that A roads are wide Enough to take a car and one the other side Tourist information will never ever tell It’s like driving through heaven on the road made for hell
For it’s a single track you can’t turn back the stories are all the same Of tourists leaving Corpach and never seen again Don’t go on the 830
There’s a joke in the Highlands it’s called a passing place Where French stay for chips and Italians stay for days When lorries lose control you’ve one last wish Don’t let me die under twenty tons of fish
For it’s a single track you can’t turn back a nightmare without end It’s eyes ahead for Nigel Mansell’s waiting round the bend Don’t go on the 830
Whoever called this road a road is telling little lies The 830’s a sheep track in very thin disguise Italian caravanettes driving on the right Meeting Wallace Arnold coaches in the middle of the night
Of the man who’s stopping progress a theory’s gone around That he owns the biggest breaker’s yard this side of Mallaig town You can see him in the gloaming towing wrecks from where they lie And he turns them into girders for the bridge across to Skye
For it’s a single track he’s in Mallaig and now he feels no pain He’s dumped his car he’s in the bar he’s steaming back by train on a single track you can’t turn back the morals very plain It’s grand to visit Mallaig but it’s safer by McBrayne’s Don’t go on the 830
Btw if you read my original post I am not being contradictory. I state I am looking for things to do after Ben Nevis that do not involve slogging up hills as I think I will be in need of some rest and wont be able to do anything strenuous for a few days.
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 13/6/2010
The 830 Lyrics by Ian McCalman
'A classic song about Scotland’s most scenic and most dangerous road, glad to say now much improved, but fond memories linger.'
That's terrific - thanks Lobey! - and still applies to lots of other roads in Scotland, notably the run up the west bank of Loch Lomond. The line about the Wallace Arnold coaches rings very true!
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Quote: Originally posted by Clanchief on 11/6/2010
Another option if you are in Glen Nevis is take a walk through the gorge and cross over the rope bridge to the Steall waterfalls.
I think that the rope bridge is closed, after some tourists fell off it when one of the cables snapped.
So that saves you the quandry of whether to do the Ring of Steall - not an easy day out, but worth the knee cracking effort.
Quote: Originally posted by Clanchief on 11/6/2010
Quote: Originally posted by Dippy27uk on 07/6/2010is the war memorial the glenfinnan monument maybe?
The Glenfinnan monument is where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the standard for the 1745 rebellion. Spean Bridge has the Comando Memorial which is the War Memoria. It was made to commemorate the Comando's who trained in the area during WWII
Sadly, there are many memorials there to Commandos who died much more recently than WWII.
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 13/6/2010
The 830 Lyrics by Ian McCalman
'A classic song about Scotland’s most scenic and most dangerous road, glad to say now much improved, but fond memories linger.'
That's terrific - thanks Lobey! - and still applies to lots of other roads in Scotland, notably the run up the west bank of Loch Lomond. The line about the Wallace Arnold coaches rings very true!
Blimey, if you think the west side of Loch Lomond is bad, try the alternate route, the A814 up the side of Loch Long. You will be sea sick by the time you get to Arrochar.
That is the route we take when heading north, joining the Loch Lomond road at Tabert.
We used to holiday in Kinlochleven when I was young! Beautiful place. God certainly didn't waste his time creating that part of the word. Beautiful.
There used to be a sea life centre up there too. (not in Kinlochleven, but not ever so far away)
------------- "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." In memory of Bear. 06/03/06 - 25/01/12 Izzie 23/09/07 - 25/03/13
------------- "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." In memory of Bear. 06/03/06 - 25/01/12 Izzie 23/09/07 - 25/03/13
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 14/6/2010
Blimey, if you think the west side of Loch Lomond is bad, try the alternate route, the A814 up the side of Loch Long. You will be sea sick by the time you get to Arrochar.
That is the route we take when heading north, joining the Loch Lomond road at Tabert.
Not tried that one - one look at the map suggested it was less than terrific. We generally go in via Callender and the A84. It's longer but a lot easier.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Fort William, Places of Interest Nearby
