Loch Shiel in the Scottish Highlands: A historic and scenic location



This evening, I am posting information on Loch Shiel which is situated about 12 miles west of Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.

Although located close the coast, Loch Shiel is comprised of  fresh water, and 11.3 miles long.
The loch is easily accessed via the A830 ‘Road to the Isles’ which runs between Fort William and Mallaig.

A scenic stretch of water in its own right, the loch and its immediate environs are noted  for the following:
  • Landing place of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745 at start of an, ultimately doomed, attempt to take over the thrones of England and Scotland by military force. A tall monument stands at the head of the loch in memorial to this endeavour.
  • About one mile away is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, manufactured of concrete, which carries the railway line to Mallaig. In summer the Jacobite Express  aka ‘Harry Potter Train’ crosses the viaduct and attracts large volumes of observers and photographers.
  • Close by is the small village of Glenfinnan which has a railway station and a few hotels.
  • Wildlife and historical cruises are available on the loch itself.
  •  On the local estate can be rented holiday cottages (vacation rentals). Visitors can also engage in fishing and deer stalking.
  • There is a Visitor Centre close to the loch with emphasis on Bonnie Prince Charlie’s military adventure.
  • Good opportunities for photography with the hill behind the Visitor Centre providing a good platform for photographing the loch and viaduct.
  • The loch is suitable for kayaking and similar water sports.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap...
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Pri...
Read more