• Date: 12th - 14th June 2015
• Price: £280.00 per person (additional charge for steam train)

West Highland Rail & Sail

Why not take the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and enjoy one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe, and then join Lizzie May for a short cruise south round Ardnamurchan point and down the Sound of Mull.  Please click link for information on Steam Train

http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/jacobite-steam-train-details.cfm

Mallaig harbour developed as a thriving fishing port when the west coast rail line was completed in 1901. By the 1960’s Mallaig was the busiest herring port in Europe. There is still one remaining smokehouse where you can by the famous Mallaig traditional smoked herring (kippers).

From Mallaig, Lizzie May will sail south west towards Ardnamurchan point, the most westerly point on the UK mainland, passing the islands of Eigg and Muck to the west. This area is renowned as a likely spot for seeing whales and dolphins with many sightings over the years.

After Ardnamurchan we will enter the sheltered waters of the Sound of Mull, past Loch Sunart and Tobermory, which was founded in 1788 and developed as another great herring fishing port. Weather permitting there may be an opportunity to make a brief visit to Tobermory.

Continuing south we will pass Lochaline on our port side and the ruins of Ardtornish Castle, seat of the Lord of the Isles during the 14^th and 15^th centuries. Look out for Golden Eagles and White Tailed Sea Eagles which are often seen in this part of the Sound of Mull.

We leave the Sound of Mull at the southern end where it is overlooked by the imposing sheer walls of Duart Castle, which dates from the 13^th century and is the seat of the clan chief of the MacLeans. Once round the southern tip of the island of Lismore and past the Lismore lighthouse we will head north east towards the entrance of Loch Creran, through the narrows, and onto our mooring at Barcaldine.