Englishmum

He he, at departure gate waiting to board Virgin Atlantic VS18 to LHR meeting up with spouse and his twin to celebrate their 50th birthdays.

Chugabug

Hope you have a good flight!

Brat1

Have a safe flight and enjoy your trip

tonrob

Just quickly checking in. On my way back from Scotland having had a very boozy weekend with fantastic warm weather. Back home next weekend so will let you all know how it went then.

MsElui

im vv jealous too!

tonrob

Still in Blighty (deepest darkest Surrey at the minute) but thought I'd stop in to say how the weekend went. (Early night tonight as still tired but can't sleep yet until my fish and chips have gone down properly!)

We went by train to Fort William on Friday. A long journey but there were over a dozen of us including friends I hadn't seen for a few years so it was nice to catch up over a selection of bottles beers (my contribution was a 6-pack of canned 21st Amendment Black IPA which I'd carried over from the States for the novelty value!). After a few pints down the pub we got our heads down in a variety of local B&Bs ready for the next day. Bright and early on Saturday morning we set off by train to Mallaig (the end of the line) where we transferred to the tiniest little standing-room-only boat that a friend had chartered to take us 7 miles across the loch to the lonely little pub in Knodyart. After a very choppy journey (big waves and spray over the sides - got quite wet) we arived at the remote pub (which had kindly agreed in advance to open early for us) where there's no road access and the only alternative to sailing is a hike of maybe 20 miles.

The weather was glorious and we commandeered the picnic tables outside where there was an unhindered view across the loch to the mountain range in the background as we supped beer and ate lovely pub food until the boat came back to pick us up mid afternoon. The evening was spent back at Fort William at a lovely little pub at the end of a dark country lane at the foot of Ben Nevis.

The long journey back was taken on Sunday where the gorgeous scenery that had been hiden by darkness on Friday evening was now in full view. Highlights were passing through Monassie Gorge and seeing stags roaming across Rannoch Moor. We also saw those big ginger cows with the big horns (you know the ones).

zargof

I thought Welshviking was still in Oz...

Burn1911

"Highland Cows" you mean

Your pub trip sounds bloody FANTASTIC... but one question I have is if it can only be reached by boat or hiking 20 miles, how much business does it do?

kimilseung

Knoydart is one of my favorite places in the whole world. walked in from the east with my tent a few times, 3 great munros.

tonrob

Seemed faily brisk when we were there. There was at least one other boatload of people that arrievd and a fair few locals (who presumably haven't much else to do apart from drink). Apparently it's popular with hikers and boaty types although some of this is presumably seasonal. The pub does accommodation too so apparently they're sold out on New Year's Eve (and I can't think of a better place in the world right now to spend it!)

Brat1

I now feel very homesick for my home country Tonrob. Glad you've had a blast though and enjoyed the scenery. Have a safe journey back when the time comes.