Fort William Sojourn (5)

These blogs are running an extra day late to allow turgid grinding of the interwebnet time to turgidly grind fbb's pictures some place electronic where fbb can get them back, blogging for the use of. Today, then, fbb casts his mind back to Thursday's excursion to Aviemore and Inverness.

There was plenty of scenery, but milder and less looming as here at Newtonmore ...

... but enjoyable none-the-less. But Aviemore was a disappointing dump - just a long row of touristy shops with no quality of architecture whatsoever - a modern community to make money out of modern visitors.

The highlight of the main street has to be the beautifully formed railway station ...

... which is shared between UK National Rail and the heritage Strathspey Railway.

Generally, the preserved stuff is parked elsewhere - but the line does run some stunning trains.

Sadly, there was nothing happening when the fbbs were there; and even if there was, there would have been insufficient time to go and see it.

Pity.

In fact, the fbbs settled here ...

... and consumed some of this ...

... whilst awaiting departure from Aviemore. It was only a short walk across the car park to the bus stop pick-up point.

Thankfully, that constituted the sum total of the fbb's enjoyment of Aviemore.

And so to Inverness. 

The land becomes more hilly (mountainous) as the Capital of the Highlands is approached and both rail ...

... and the A9 road ...

... share a summit.

From here it is a steady descent to Inverness.

Convention has it that coaches park in Ardross Street next to St Andrew's Cathedral (Scottish Episcopal Church; a version of C of E over the border!) ...

... which is just too far out of the town centre for weary oldies! But next to the church ...

... was a little shed in which was located a rather fine caff. 

RECOMMENDED. 

After refreshment, Mrs fbb went off in a successful search for a post box whilst her aged other half relaxed by the riverside.

The relatively modern "castle" (1836) is undergoing a massive renovation with completion not due until 2025. 

And so back via Loch Ness in yet more glorious sunshine.

And there was Urquart Castle, site of the Maisie MacSporran mystery/tragedy as outlined in yesterday's 100% accurate blog. (Maybe not?)

And more loch and more sunshine.

In fact it has been fine weather every day until Thursday, when the coach got closer to Fort William - and dark clouds loomed big-time.

The rains came ...

... and for about ten minutes Niall (pronounced Kneel), our driver, had to set his windscreen wipers a-swish.

But a watery sun soon returned and the evening remained dry!

On a more Public Transport note ...

While passing through Inverness, fbb feels it is important to share something of the work of HiTrans.

HITRANS is one of seven Regional Transport Partnerships in Scotland which were established through the 2005 Transport (Scotland) Act.

The Partnership has a range of powers, including those to:

Require funding from its member councils.

Give grants and loans in order to implement the regional transport strategy.

Borrow money for specific capital expenditure.

Participate in Community Planning.

Regional transport partnerships were established to strengthen the planning and delivery of regional transport so that it better serves the needs of people and businesses. HITRANS brings together local authorities and other key stakeholders to take a strategic approach to transport in their area. HITRANS is, of course, only one of a number of organisations which determine transport provision in our area.

Hmmm?

Then there's HiTravel?

Maybe a leaflet for Inverness will help us understand.

Pretty cover! So, what does it tell us about buses in Inverness?

Not a lot?

But then there is www.travelhighland.info.

Hmmm?

This web site offers this ...

... and this ...

... and finally, this:-

fbb was hoping for some bus information, possibly even a map. But he will have to make do with Stagecoach and Traveline. There was nothing about "services from my local stop" as per the leaflet.

All you get - effectively nothing from HiTrsns and/or HiTravel.

Needs further investigation.

 Next Fort William blog : Sunday 17th September