Loch Ossian

We've just returned from a long weekend in Brae Lochaber, the eastern part of Highland's Lochaber District. It's an area of stunning natural beauty, enhanced by the season's colours.

On our first day there we caught an early southbound train on the west highland line, which climbs inland from Fort William, following the gorge of the River Spean until it emerges on the heights of Rannoch Moor. We alighted at this lonely station, Corrour, only accessible by rough track, foot, bicycle or train. It's surrounded by a wilderness which attracts....

....the sort of person who holidays with everything on their backs.

The purpose of such an early morning start was to have brunch at the station cafe, an excellent meal which set us up for a walk....

....over these bleak hills to....

....Loch Ossian, where the scenery, and the weather, was picture-postcard Scottish Highlands.

This wonderfully remote Youth Hostel stands on the banks of Loch Ossian overlooking the loch. It was as far as we had time to walk as we....

....had to get back to Corrour in time to catch the train back to 'civilisation'.

Since there are only three trains a day each way, the brunch, lunch and evening menus at the cafe are staggered to cater for arrivals by train. In one direction lies Fort William, in the other, Glasgow; and, as well as the three daily Fort William to Glasgow diesel trains, one can reach Corrour direct by travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper from London's Euston.