Given that the weather has been extremely iffy these past 2 weeks I decided to have a mini-break and headed off for a day trip to Mallaig on the (ordinary) British Rail train. There are 2 train stations in Helensburgh: Central and Upper. (The town orginally was created because it was served by the rail line built in the 1850s.) As it is a mere 10 minute walk to the Upper station which serves the Highland/west coast, it is easy to travel to either Oban or Mallaig.
A couple of hours through scenic country and one arrives at Mallaig - the end of the line. The timetable is organised so you can have 3 hours to wander about then return south again.
As I stepped off the train I was just in time to see the departure of the West Coast 'Jacobite' steam train (below) departing from Mallaig, full of passengers, on its return trip to Fort William.
Curtains on the windows, dining car, lots of attendants.
Chuff, chuff, chuff ....Now the West Coast Railways who run this steam train journey state that it is "one of the great railway journeys of the world. This 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes..... It is a great way to spend the day! The final destination is of course Mallaig. Not only an access point to the Isle of Skye with the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry but also a thriving fishing community. There is plenty to see and do while in the village ...."
What they don't tell you is how the town is 'enhanced' by a very special kind of resident - gulls.
Gulls on the boats .... well, one Home-is-the-Stern-of-a-Boat Gull
Culture-gulls who like to live on the edge...
And that pretty well sums up the rest!
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