In July 2008 we had our very good friends from America, Dolly & Pradeep, come and stay with us. As part of their European holiday they invited us to join them in a Scottish Scenic Railway trip. Seeing as how Ann & I had never visited the Highlands - despite Ann's Scottish roots - we gladly joined them.
We flew to Inverness and stayed in the nearby village of Strathpeffer, whose origins, appropriately enough was as a Victorian Railway Spa station. We then took four train journeys: north to Wick, west to Kyle of Lochalsh and another western trip to Mallaig and then finally East to the Cairngorms via Aviemore.
The highlight of the holiday was riding in old carriages pulled by steam engines.
The Boat of Garten station was possibly the most picturesque one that we stopped at. Note the milk churns. At another stop we were serenaded by bagpipes!
Dolly & Pradeep - getting all steamed up.
Does this guy have one of the most enviable and sought after jobs in the British railway system? Hot work though.
No it is not a prop from Star Wars - but an intimidating looking Snow Plough.
Life is taken at an easy pace in the Highlands. The carriages have been well restored and were very comfortable.
