This page displays a selection of photographs taken by the Webmaster during his
Grand Tour of Scotland 2003.


THE ACHENTOUL FOREST
The bleak environs of the Achentoul Forest is evident in this photograph taken between Kinbrace and Forsinard on the Far North Line to Wick and Thurso. The conical peak of Ben Griam Beg is shown to the right, with Loch an Ruathair in the foreground.
WICK
Scotrail 'sprinter' 158703 stands in the platform at the Far North Line terminus of Wick following its journey from Inverness on the morning of June 30th 2003.

The picture to the right shows the bridge over the River Wick, carrying the road to the town centre.
INVERNESS
Inverness Cathedral stands on the southern bank of the River Ness, seen here to the left.

The right-hand photo shows the view from the castle grounds towards the cathedral and the hills to the south.
THURSO
The remote Caithness town of Thurso, the most northerly of mainland Britain, is pictured on the left from the shore.

The right-hand photograph shows the ruined Thurso castle.
DINGWALL TO KYLE OF LOCHALSH
This photograph shows a typical scene from the area around Achanalt on the line to Kyle of Lochalsh. The train passes a number of lochs en route to the famous rail terminus and gateway to the Isle of Skye.
INNER SOUND
This is the scene from the train on the approach to Kyle of Lochalsh, showing the waters of Inner Sound and the mountains of Skye visible to the left of picture.
LOCH ALSH & THE SKYE BRIDGE
Taken from the shores of Loch Alsh, the photo to the left shows the main span of the Skye Bridge, with the prominent peak of Beinn na Caillich directly to the right.

The right-hand picture looks back towards the mainland from the bridge itself.
LOCH ALSH FROM THE SKYE BRIDGE
This is the view looking southwest from the Skye Bridge across Loch Alsh.

The row of crofts which previously had an idyllic setting are now overshadowed by a late 20th Century engineering feat.
ARMADALE BAY
A mixture of small fishing boats and yachts are pictured from the 'MV Pioneer' as it leaves Armadale on the Isle of Skye, bound for Mallaig on the mainland.
LOCH NEVIS & THE SOUND OF SLEAT
The mouth of Loch Nevis is shown here during a ferry crossing of the Sound of Sleat between Armadale on the Isle of Skye and Mallaig on the Scottish mainland.
MALLAIG HARBOUR
Local fishing boats are seen moored in Mallaig Harbour on a beautiful summer's evening on July 1st, 2003.

The Webmaster arrived in the village aboard the MV Pioneer (pictured right) from Armadale, Isle of Skye.
THE VIEW NORTH FROM MALLAIG
The view north from Mallaig Harbour is pictured, looking towards Ladhar Bheinn and its smaller neighbours.
THE INNER HEBRIDES FROM MALLAIG
This strinking photo of the view across the Sound of Sleat to the islands of Skye and Rum was taken from Mallaig, late in the evening, with the setting sun reflecting brightly in the water.
GLENFINNAN
The tall arches of Concrete Bob's magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct cast a long shadow in the early morning sun, in this photograph of Loch Shiel from the train.
BEN NEVIS FROM LOCH EIL
With its summit hidden in cloud, Ben Nevis dominates all around it, and is seen here reflected in the still waters of Loch Eil, on the approach to Fort William.
LOCH TREIG
This picture shows the shore of Loch Treig, situated south of Tulloch Station on the climb up to Corrour Summit on the famed West Highland Line.
CORROUR TO RANNOCH
This shows the view west on the descent from Corrour Summit, as the train crosses one of many burns on its way towards Rannoch Moor. This area is the most isolated part of the route, many miles from the closest roads.
RANNOCH MOOR
On departure from the isolated Rannoch station, the West Highland Line heads south across the vast Rannoch Moor, situated in one of the most desolate parts of Scotland.
BEINN DÒRAIN
South of Bridge of Orchy station, the West Highland Line forms a large 'u' shape as it navigates the head of the glen in this photograph. The waters of Allt Kinglass are crossed by a large viaduct, seen here being dwarfed by the bulk of Beinn Dòrain on the left
CRIANLARICH STATION
A class 156 Sprinter unit pulls out of the picturesque Crianlarich Station, heading south to Glasgow Queen Street. From Crianlarich the line passes through the beautiful scenery of the Loch Lomond & The Trossocks National Park.
OBAN
The picturesque west coast town of Oban is pictured here from the harbour wall. Oban is a busy ferry and rail interchange and has a large tourist trade. The colesium-like McCaig's Folly watches over the town from the summit of Bunker Hill.
LOCH LOMOND & THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK
These photos depict views heading south on the West Highland Line as the train passes through Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.

This part of the journey provides some of the best views of Scotland's magnificent landscape.
LINLITHGOW
Situated around 18 miles to the west of Edinburgh, the village of Linlithgow is famous for it's ruined royal palace.

The photograph to the left shows the view of the palace from the north side, with the original main entrance shown at the centre.

The bottom left-hand picture depicts the view looking southeast across the central courtyard.


The right-hand photo shows the parish church of St Michael's, with its controversial aluminium crown spire, added in 1964 to replace an unstable stone crown removed in 1821.
ABERDEEN
Located towards the western end of Union Street, Aberdeen's ornate Town House (seen left) is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Built in granite, the stone has become synonymous with Aberdeen - the city being known worldwide as the Granite City.

Close by, the picturesque Castlegate (right-hand photo) is home to a selection of shops, restaurants and pubs.

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