Glenfinnan viaduct

We took a while getting up to this viewpoint, then got fed up waiting for the steam train (which crosses here 4 times a day), moved elsewhere and didn't have such a good view when it did turn up. Oh well!

Last time I was here, in 2006, I don't remember anyone else really making much effort to photograph either the viaduct or the train, but this time it seemed there were a lot of people doing just that.

Some random thoughts:
- sleeper train from London Euston was quite hassle-free, with a nice last leg crossing Rannoch and Corrour before Fort William.
- there's something nice about being served in a dining car on a train and having a plate of haggis... how many rail journeys can you say that of?
- first noticeable thing in Glenfinnan (apart from the converted carriages for a bunkhouse and cafe), was a large stag close to the road. Soon followed by a RAF jet overhead; I'm guessing the viaduct is on one of their training routes
- nice stay and good food at the Glenfinnan House Hotel. On the Thursday night there was live music in the bar, with about eleven people playing, including 3 accordions, 3 fiddles, as well as piano, flute, banjo, guitar etc. Also the first time I've heard conversational Gaelic being spoken
- lots of nice walks around the viaduct, station, memorial and loch. We cycled partway down Loch Shiel, which was tougher going than expected. If you wanted an easier route, going up the glen towards the hills might be better
- the steam train between Fort William and Mallaig is fun, although not cheap when compared to the Scotrail fares for the exact same route