Day 5 - Nevis Range and Jacobite Train

Nevis Range Mountain Resort (Fort William PH33 6SQ)

Our Hotel is near to Ben Nevis and many attractions. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain and it is a favorite for mountain climbers. As tourists and with 2 kids, we decided to take the Nevis Range Mountain Gongola at Nevis Range Mountain Resort (Fort William PH33 6SQ), which is the only mountain gondola, transporting visitors to 650m on the mountain of Aonach Mor. To go up the gondola, it takes about 15-20 minutes. There are few walks at the top of the mountain once alight from the gondola, where visitors can climb further to the peak and see Ben Nevis area at top view. It is magnificent but note that the top of the walk is not barricade and young kids are not suitable in case they may run and fall off the mountain. 

We happen to be there one day before the bike championship contest and it is interesting to see the bikers in training, gliding down the mountain paths. It cost about 35 pounds family price for 4 of us to take the gondola up and down. In Singapore we call this "cable car", whereas in Scotland this is "gondola". 

My gal walking on the path. It appears to be near the edge but there is a slow slope after that. 

We walked all the way up the path

Taken at the top of the mountain where there is no barricade. Young kids beware

There are 2 cafes for lunch. One at the top (where it is super crowded due to the view) and another at the bottom. We ate our lunch at the bottom cafe to save some time. Due to the bike contest, we are asked to park our car away at a big unmarked car park area and shuttle buses to drive us to and fro the gondola entrance. Luckily, I have cater some extra time and we are still in time to reach Fort William in time to take the Jacobite Train, which I have to booked months in advance due to the popularity. 

The Jacobite Train (Harry Potter)

Station Square, Fort William

The Jacobite Train "Harry Potter Train" is taken near the Station Square, at Fort William. There is a huge car park nearby but reach slightly early to find car park space just in case. This train trip need to book way in advance online. It is one of the greatest railway journey in the world, this 84 mile round trip past a list of impressive extremes and great views. It also passes by Arisaig, the deepest freshwater loch, Loch Morar and the shortest river, River Morar, and reaches Mallaig, a fishing town with great seafood. It departs at 2.30pm and will reach back at 8.30pm via return train, with a break for dinner at Mallaig. If it is the morning train, the break will be for lunch. I wanted to book the morning trip but it was sold out at the time of booking, so I took the afternoon train. Based on reviews, the standard carriage will do and there is no need to book the expensive carriage. Indeed I spend time taking photos and enjoying the breeze. Below are the photos taken on train. The windows are openable and easy to take photos. Drinks and snacks are sold on board near the front carriage and one can walk to buy anytime while train is off station.

Useful info for your reading

Smoke at the right side (not cloud)

Views taken from train

Train at famous GlenfinnanViaduct, shown in Harry Potter movie

The train track is just next to the loch with close proximity that I almost felt that the train was moving on water

There are 1-2 stations along the way and the train will stop for 15 minutes for toilet break and a small gift shop/museum. 

At last we reach Mallaig in time for dinner and some souvenirs shopping. 

At Mallaig, we went to Tea Garden Cafe (about 3 or 4th restaurant from the station) and the seafood is superb! Its the first time I have eaten Langoustines and they are really delicious. After that, I have tried langoustines at other parts of Scotland and Mallaig and Skye sold the best and most tasty. Too bad, I cannot find langoustines in SG except in posh hotel buffet. 

Langoustines are so delicious!

After which, we took the return train back to Fort William, pick up our car at the car park and drove back to our hotel. Its late spring/summer and daylight is really long (until 10pm to 12am), so there is no problem to drive back to our Hotel even though it was really late (9pm reach).