The north and northwest Highlands - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 218

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE ACHARACLE AND GLENULIG

By bus Buses go from Fort William (Mon-Sat 1-2 daily) to
Acharacle (1hr 30min) and Glenulig (1hr 10min).
By boat Loch Shiel Cruises runs trips to Acharacle from

Glenfinnan at the head of Loch Shiel (Easter to mid-Oct
Wed only; £17 single, £26 return; T 01687 470322,
W highlandcruises.co.uk).

ACCOMMODAT ION, EATING AND ACTIVITIES
Glenuig Arms Glenuig T 01687 470219, W glenuig
.com. A refurbished inn that ticks all boxes: an excellent
hostel with single beds, not bunks; modest motel-style
rooms in an annexe; and local beers plus well-priced

bar-food - posh kebabs, wraps, home-made burgers, all
around £12. A sea-kayak guide, the owner runs half- and
full-day trips in th e So und of Arisaig from £50. Daily
noon-9pm. Dorms £25 ; doubles £100

The Road to the Isles
he “ Road to the Isles ” from Fort William to Mallaig, followed by the West Highland
Railway and the winding A830, traverses the mountains and glens of the Rough
Bounds before breaking out near Arisaig onto a spectacular coast of sheltered inlets,
white beaches and wonderful views to the islands of Rùm, Eigg, Muck and Skye. This
is a country commonly associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie , whose adventures of
1745-46 began on this stretch of coast with his gathering of the clans at Glenfinnan
and ended here too, when he embarked near Arisdale and fled into French exile.

Glenfinnan
GLENFINNAN may be spectacularly sited at the head of Loch Shiel, yet it's Scottish
history that draws most visitors since it was here that Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his
standard and rallied forces before the ill-fated march on London (see p.223).

4

Glenfinnan Visitor Centre and monument
The spot where the Young Pretender raised his battle standard on August 19, 1745, is
marked by a column crowned with a Highland clansman in full battle dress, erected as
a tribute by Alexander Macdonald of Glenaladale in 1815. It's a beautiful, brooding
spot at the head of the loch that's best appreciated from a viewpoint behind a visitor
centre (daily April, May, June, Sept & Oct 10am-5pm; July & Aug 9.30am-5.30pm;
£3; NTS; T 0844 493 2221, W nts.org.uk), which gives an account of the '45 uprising
through to the rout at Culloden (see p.208).

Glenfinnan Station Museum
Centre of the village • Daily April to mid-Oct 9am-5pm • 75p • T 01397 722295, W glenfinnanstationmuseum.co.uk
The town's second claim to fame is for one of the most spectacular parts of the
West Highland Railway line (see p.222), which chuffs over the 21-arched Loch nan
Uamh viaduct built in 1901. You might recognize it from Harry Potter films, in which
it is crossed by the Hogwart's Express - Loch Shiel itself serves as the “Dark Lake” seen
from the ramparts of Hogwart's.
Head to the Glenfinnan Station Museum in the village centre to learn more about the
history of this section of the railway in a modest museum in the old booking office
- no surprise that the gift shop is stuffed with Harry Potter merchandise. Enthusiastic
rail buffs can stay the night or dine here (see p.222).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE GLENFINNAN

By train A direct service links Fort William to Glenfinnan (Mon-Sat 3-4 daily; 35min).

INFORMAT ION AND TOURS
Tourist information W road-to-the-isles.org.uk.
Loch Shiel Cruises T 01687 470322, W highland
cruises.co.uk. Runs boat trips to view the superb scenery

between Easter and Sept. Cruises embark from a jetty near
Glenfinnan House Hotel , signposted off the main road half
a mile from the monument.