Have travelled this route many times, but not by bus, since the late 70's. It is interesting how the route has evolved to take up, in places, the route and bridge of the railway. Also how a lot of the hillside tree plantations are now gone, the views steadily changing with the years.
I've always loved that bus journey - thanks for sharing it here. It's a shame it only runs twice a day, really - especially if they're using that bus, which I was briefly on 2 years ago, on Mull. It must be hell when it's full of tourists bound for Iona!! I've walked over the old Cregan Railway Bridge, as it also carried a footpath that remained for 20 or more years after the railway closed - then hitched a lift in a police range rover, as far as Ballachulish Bridge! I assume you know that the doctor's surgery in Ballachulish is a conversion of the old railway station? Also, the platform of the one at Ballachulish Ferry can still be seen behind the roundabout at the south end of the bridge - and the one at Kentallen is part of the hotel there?? Another, really scenic bus trip from Fort William is the weekday service to Kilchoan, incidentally. It goes over on the Corrran Ferry, then via Strontian and Acharacle... Connects with the last ferrry to Tobermory, too.
Thanks Paul, Its a very nice journey. Indeed I do, on one of my previous videos I pointed it out I think. Its nice to see they have kept that railway station theme very much alive in the building. I have not investigated the platforms at Ballachullish or Kentallen, however often walk my dog across the old Appin railway station, which is on the cycle path past castle stalker. Basically the cycle path from Oban to Fort William just runs on much of where the old railway line used to be.
@coasttocoast23 Ballachulish platforms have gone. Rails did extend into the slate quarry by the foot of the sloped rock surface. Kentallen station is actually built into the structure of the hotel - it's the bit with the semi-circular windows furthest from the road; as they built another bit in a similar style in front, then extended the whole thing again! Connel Bridge was purely a rail bridge as built - for the first few years, they ran a charabanc on them as far as Benderloch; then started the shared arrangement about 1913, I think. This lasted until closure - with road vehicles not allowed to cross at the same time as a train was doing so. It competed to a small extent with the Bonawe Ferry.
Don’t miss castle arghh from monty Python. Go by car. If Oban is packed pop back to poppies and get a wonderful view of dunusfage marina whilst having lunch.,
Another great wee video such beautiful scenery ...I cannot wait to move further up scotland you're living my dream
Thanks a lot, glad you enjoyed it!
Have travelled this route many times, but not by bus, since the late 70's. It is interesting how the route has evolved to take up, in places, the route and bridge of the railway. Also how a lot of the hillside tree plantations are now gone, the views steadily changing with the years.
Good value for a scenic trip.
I've always loved that bus journey - thanks for sharing it here. It's a shame it only runs twice a day, really - especially if they're using that bus, which I was briefly on 2 years ago, on Mull. It must be hell when it's full of tourists bound for Iona!! I've walked over the old Cregan Railway Bridge, as it also carried a footpath that remained for 20 or more years after the railway closed - then hitched a lift in a police range rover, as far as Ballachulish Bridge! I assume you know that the doctor's surgery in Ballachulish is a conversion of the old railway station? Also, the platform of the one at Ballachulish Ferry can still be seen behind the roundabout at the south end of the bridge - and the one at Kentallen is part of the hotel there?? Another, really scenic bus trip from Fort William is the weekday service to Kilchoan, incidentally. It goes over on the Corrran Ferry, then via Strontian and Acharacle... Connects with the last ferrry to Tobermory, too.
Thanks Paul, Its a very nice journey. Indeed I do, on one of my previous videos I pointed it out I think. Its nice to see they have kept that railway station theme very much alive in the building. I have not investigated the platforms at Ballachullish or Kentallen, however often walk my dog across the old Appin railway station, which is on the cycle path past castle stalker. Basically the cycle path from Oban to Fort William just runs on much of where the old railway line used to be.
@coasttocoast23 Ballachulish platforms have gone. Rails did extend into the slate quarry by the foot of the sloped rock surface. Kentallen station is actually built into the structure of the hotel - it's the bit with the semi-circular windows furthest from the road; as they built another bit in a similar style in front, then extended the whole thing again! Connel Bridge was purely a rail bridge as built - for the first few years, they ran a charabanc on them as far as Benderloch; then started the shared arrangement about 1913, I think. This lasted until closure - with road vehicles not allowed to cross at the same time as a train was doing so. It competed to a small extent with the Bonawe Ferry.
Kyle of Lochalsh to Fort Willian (916) please. I don't see being able to afford to hop the pond again and that is one of my favorites.
Will try my best, great to get recommendations from everyone, keep them coming! Thanks, Liam
Don’t miss castle arghh from monty Python. Go by car. If Oban is packed pop back to poppies and get a wonderful view of dunusfage marina whilst having lunch.,