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Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Wed January 19, 2005 11:29 PM UTC
I cannot remember how long does it take but what I can assure you is that the journey was very beautiful. Anyway in Scotland is nice, esp if you drive.
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Thu January 20, 2005 12:36 AM UTC
I have to agree that it is indeed God's country - absolutely stunning.
I think the drive would take around 2 hours, but there are lots of things to see on the way as well - the Glenfinnan Monument, commemorating the landing of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the start of the Jacobite Uprising, the Glenfinnan Viaduct as featured in the Harry potter films, Morar sands, to name a few.
Another option would be to take the train from Fort William. They run a steam train during the summer months.
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Thu January 20, 2005 09:27 AM UTC
Hi,
I agree 2 hours is about right. The drive does have some great scenery especially around Arisaig where you look out to sea and you can see the islands of Rum and Eigg, . Are you planning to take the boat from Mallaig to Skye ? If so check out http://www.calmac.co.uk it will cost around 20 GBP to take a car and passenger to Skye.
Doug
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Thu January 20, 2005 07:40 PM UTC
It it absolutely stunning! Be prepared for lots of photo stops.
Check out Scotlandscotours info, he is Mr Scotland :o)
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Fri January 21, 2005 09:31 AM UTC
It is indeed a beautiful road and much improved in quality over the years. Agree with all that has been said above and also recommend malcolm's pages (scotlandcotour).
Not sure what your overall plans are, but I took some American friends on a trip a couple of years ago where we took that route and crossed to Skye,
visited the Tallisker distillery (the weather was far too bad for hill walking)
stayed the night in Portree,
crossed to the mainland via Kyleakin the following day, visited Eilean Donan Castle (just south of Kyle of Lochalsh),
crossed the hills to Lochcarron
took the Beallach na Ba over to Applecross (dramatic single track road with several hairpin bends). From there you can follow the Applecross Penninsula round to Torridon.. which for me is one of the most scenic regions in Scotland.
Whatever you decide I hope you have a great time.
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Fri January 21, 2005 12:46 PM UTC
Well worth it!
The above comments are spot on - and thanks.
You might find this on-line map useful (zoom in to get the superb, detailed Ordnance Survey map at 1:50,000 scale - shows all contours and lots of interesting places, Crannogs, etc. Just copy and paste:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=165000.929676925&Y=785000.825631059&width=700&height=400&gride=166207.929676925&gridn=786473.825631059&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&scale=100000&out.x=8&out.y=9
The beaches around Arisaig were used to film Local Hero, if you remember that Scottish classic (though the village and red phone box are found on the East of Scotland).
I left blood on that road - so you could say part of me is always there. (Sorry).
Now the Skye Bridge is free, I expect this route will be a wee bit quieter (lucky) but it is a delightful way to arrive on the Island. Also great small ferries out to watch dolphins, or to smaller islands like Eigg or Rum (Highly recommended!!!)
Note: An even better alternative to this - but longer, is to take the Corran Ferry south of Fort William and the A861 via Moidart, joining the other route at Lochailort. This misses out the Glenfinnan area.
I was just writing a new Tip on this route (by bike), coincidently!
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| Scotland |
Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Fri January 21, 2005 06:37 PM UTC
YESSSS!!
It is easily one of the most beautiful drives in the whole wide world, weather permitting.
Many have mentioned the great places to stop on the way and I am sure you will find even more.
There used to be a hermit living in a boat that got washed up on the rocks near Arisaig .. he doesn't like people so don't bother saying hi.
Malcolm's suggestion about going around the other direction is a great one, as it adds even more to the trip. Depending on your time, your could do one of many loops. You can add in great places like Plockton if you have the time and the inclination.
The Jacobite train is also a good option for a day trip to Mallaig and back, but it does not give you the flexibility to drive up the side roads and explore.
You will enjoy. Don't forget to check out Neptune's Staircase as you head out of Fort William.
Frank
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| Scotland |
Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Thu January 27, 2005 09:19 PM UTC
The drive is beautiful - most on single track roads though so it is slower. Everyone talks of Glenfinnan and the monument there but I think the drive down around the south end of the peninsula is prettier - the views off to the sea and the other islands are just breathtaking.
We took the whole day to drive from Onich via the ferry and on to Maillaig (not too much there - kind of tacky tourist places) and back to Ft. William.
To do it in less time would perhaps be possible but would be pushing the envelope.
You might consider taking the ferry from Skye and driving towards Ft. William - this is on a good 2 lane road and would give you a glimpse of the Ardnamurchan. I think if I had to chose between seeing Dornie castle or drive to Glenfinnan I would chose Dornie. But you have to decide. With your short time it will be difficult to do both.
Kat
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Fri January 28, 2005 09:05 AM UTC
Just to add a bit to celticfawns posting Dornie castle is also known as Eilean Donan castle, http://www.eileandonancastle.com/
Doug
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Fri January 28, 2005 09:15 AM UTC
Wow,
Thats a good route but maybe a bit much driving for 3 days. According to microsoft autoroute thats 512 miles and 13 hours behind the wheel.
If it was me for 2 days I would do a similar loop but I would cut across from Inverness to Ft William, or maybe even from Kinguisse to Ft William and so make the loop shorter. Its a trade off between seeing less of the country but doing less driving.
Doug
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Fri January 28, 2005 09:17 AM UTC
Please ignore the previous post
sorry every one I posted it in the wrong thread.
DougY
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| Scotland |
Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Fri January 28, 2005 09:24 AM UTC
It's a great drive. Just be carefull as when I went that way in 2003 some of the roads were very narrow, and there are these huge lorries, that I think are suffed with fish from the fish farms, that shot through the gaps at the most alarming speeds!
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Fri January 28, 2005 12:25 PM UTC
RE: Small roads.. You should have seen the roads in 1983! They have improved and widened them significantly since then. There are still some places where is narrows down for bridges. I liked it better before. Same story for the road along Loch Lomond.
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| Scotland |
Re: Re: drive from Fort William to Mallaig Posted: Fri January 28, 2005 01:17 PM UTC
Thanks everyone...you're all amazing!
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