Islands off the west coast of Scotland, near Arisaig

August 2010

The west coast of Scotland is a land of wonder, in sun or rain - and it's often both in the same day.

We stayed at this converted railway station on the West Highland Line Extension- the Road to the Isles which leads from Fort William to the old fishing port of Mallaig.

This is the station. Behind it is the old road to Arisaig, while on this side of the tracks is a green mound of bracken and trees leading down, via a hidden series of stone steps, to the bay.

Here you can swim, barbecue or dabble in rock pools within yards of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Cave - or at least one of the many caves in which Prince Charlie was supposed to have hidden while raising an army to beat the English. Glenfinnan, and its great staue to him, is just a few miles down the coast.

Our walk took us along the coast in both rain and shine, though there was a cloying bogginess in the ground at times, which can be rather wearing.

However it was a walk of great variety, with a hidden bothy where we surprised a group of young people scorching bacon and eggs. We were probably the age of their parents and their apologies that the bothy was a bit messy were rather touching (like saying sorry to your mum for your untidy bedroom!)

On our way there were several homes nestling in to the edges of bays with potentially beautiful views, though shutters, log piles and 4 by 4s were warnings to be prepared for all weathers.

This house was, unusually, a new one - source of irritation to planners and other locals alike, or so we were told.

A p retty good spot to look out from though, whatever you might think of the architecture. And not every home can be traditional and old.