Glenfinnan is historically known as the place where Prince Charles raised his "standard" to begin the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Prince Charles went to Glenfinnan to meet many different clan families in order to reclaim the throne in the name of the Scots. Unfortunately, this rebellion ended in failure eight months later.
Glenfinnan also has a unique twenty-one concrete arched single railway viaduct. This viaduct has been used in such films as: Harry Potter, Stone of Destiny, and more. This viaduct is commonly used as a passenger train route from Glasgow to Mallaig. BUT during the summer months it is a popular scenic tourist attraction where tourists ride the Jacobite Steam Engine Train across some very picturesque landscapes.
Glenfinnan's Loch Shiel and
Glenfinnan's Monument to the Jacobite Clansmen (lower right corner)
Glenfinnan's Viaduct
The Jacobite Steam Train on the Viaduct
The Jacobite Steam train
We liked Glenfinnan. We hiked to the top of a hill that overlooked the viaduct and Loch Sheil. It was very windy and beautiful at the top of this hill. We were able to take some cool pictures of the scenery from that location. The boys really liked the huge viaduct made from concrete. They thought it was amazing that they were looking at the same viaduct featured in all of the Harry Potter movies. AND then to watch a steam train cross it right in front of their eyes was just impressive.
After checking out the viaduct, we strolled down to the shore area to see the Monument dedicated to the Jacobite clansmen who died in the rebellion. This monument was incredible. We were able to climb a very narrow staircase to the top and view the impressive landscape before us. WOW! Glenfinnan was a small stop with a bakery that served amazing shortbread, but we got to do and see a lot in that short amount of time.
The Isle of Skye is an island off of the West Coast of Scotland. To get to the Isle of Skye a person has to either drive over Skye Bridge or take the car ferry in Mallaig. The Isle of Skye is a very popular tourist destination and is known for its beautiful mountain scenery, geology, lochs, and wildlife. The mountains are a favorite among mountain climbers, hikers, and hill walkers of all levels, because of the remarkable landscapes and views that the area provides. So we were going to the Isle of Skye to hike and take it all in.
We drove to Mallaig and took the car ferry to the Isle of Skye. It was a very short ferry ride, but a boat ride none the less. The kids love boats and enjoyed the experience of driving a car onto the ferry, parking, and then riding on the top area of the boat. They had a great time getting a snack and watching the boat sail across the open waters.
First stop in Isle of Skye was a small fishing village called Elgol. This little fishing village has been photographed and used in postcards all over the world. This area has some of the most striking mountain and seascape sceneries and we were going to check it out.
We loved walking the shoreline, skipping rocks and hunting for seashells. It was a brief but fun stop in this village.
The shoreline
The village
Next, we drove to hike in Sligachan town. Sligachan is a small settlement on Skye. It is close to the Cuillin Mountains and is a common tourist place for hikers and mountain climbers. We felt it was a nice hike with great footpaths through the rolling hills. Connor and Sam were having a race and ran far ahead. We lost sight of them for a brief moment, with my heart skipping a beat. But then over the crest of a hill we saw them and we were wondering how we were going to get their attention to stop them from running any further. I had to use my really loud whistle and we waived our hands high in the air, so that when they looked back they would see that we were trying to get their attention to stop. They finally looked in our direction and stopped. Nate ran to their location to tell them to come back while Reed and I walked to their location. After that experience we had to establish some boundary rules; all family members were to remain in sight of one another and within earshot of the whistle. Whew.
The bridge in Sligachan
Nate used the rocks and not the bridge to cross the stream
A beautiful view during our hike
Portree is the largest town in Skye and has a harbor. We did not do much in Portree, but it was a great location for us to house our luggage and stay the night. We were interested in the mountains and sites that were near the city. But the few shops that we did visit showed us that this town is quaint and the owners are very friendly.
A view of the lodging on the cliff side
The harbor
Portree
Kilt Rock is near Portree, we had to stop and check it out. Kilt Rock is on the Trottenish Peninsula that has two amazing land structures; beautiful sea cliffs and a waterfall. The sea cliffs are called the Kilt Rock, because they are 90 meter high sea cliffs that give the appearance of a pleated tartan kilt. Right in front of these sea cliffs is a waterfall. The waterfall is called; Mealt Waterfall and is amazing, as you can see.
The boys had fun running around the viewing area checking out the waterfall and the sea cliffs. There was no hiking for us in this area. So this was only a short stop to see the magnificent landscape, take photos and stretch our legs. The boys loved the sound of the waterfall and enjoyed watching the sea waves crashing into the shoreline.
Mealt Waterfall and Kilt Rock
Different angle showing the depth of the waterfall
Back in the vehicle, a short drive down the road, and we were on the Staffin Beach. Staffin beach is known for its beautiful sandy beach and dinosaur tracks. Yes, I said dinosaur tracks. A local resident in 2002 found a dinosaur track in sandstone on the shoreline. Experts believe an Ornithopod made the footprint. Experts then explored the area and found a different set of dinosaur prints in a cluster. They believe those prints are similar to the Megalosaurus dinosaur. The sea at high tide and then the sand at low tide covers the sandstone, making it a challenge to locate the dinosaur footprints.
The tide was out, so decided to search the area for those dinosaur prints. We were sure that we would find them, because we were a family of five and could spread out. Unfortunately, we did not find any dinosaur prints. We did get to see a man walk onto the sandy beach, strip to his swimming shorts, and head out to the ocean to swim. We were all frozen in wonder watching him swim, because we were dressed in layers wondering how he could just jump right into the water and start swimming. AND he swam for quite a while we were walking around exploring the beach and sandstone for those footprints. Brrr that man is crazy; is what came to our minds.
Looking at the sandstone rocks for the dinosaur footprints.
Staffin Beach
Scotland's countryside is not completed, so stay turned for more hiking and a few castles.
