INTO THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS

Having left Rhu, we continue along the shores of Gare Loch to, natuarally, Garelochhead. Here's the station, on the West Highland Line in 1979.

 

The village was also home to Garelochhead Coaches, until that company's demise.

Back on the railway and the next passing loop was at Glen Douglas. The station was closed many years ago but there remained access to a military depot.

Over the watershed and we arrive at Arrochar & Tarbert station, firstly in 1938....

.....and forty years later.

Beside the shores of nearby Loch Lomond, at Tarbert, we find two vehicles of McTavish of Arrochar, photographed by Les Flint in 1963.

Another coach on the shores of Loch Lomond, all the way from London.

Here's Loch Lomond, looking south.

We briefly step away from the railway and head across country to Inveraray Castle (see the map here).

Back to the West Highland line and Ardlui station, where there's a class 25 and an inspection saloon.

Soon we come to Crianlarich, junction for the Oban branch today. Here's the station in NBR days.

Into LNER times.

The station and signal box in the late 1970s.

A class 27 arrives on a freight.

By 1991, class 37s had taken over the freight and 156 class DMUs the passenger workings.

The other station at Crianlarich was that of the Caledonian Railway's Callender & Oban line. It closed in the 1960s, but some timber traffic still used a short section in the late 1970s.

The Royal Mail's post buses served Crianlarich. Here are a couple, in 1979 and 1991.

Next stop on the former Caledonian line was Tyndrum Lower. 

27005 departs for Oban.

Meanwhile, on the ex NBR Fort William line, somewhat to the north, we see 27002 crossing the viaduct on Horshoe Curve.

Back on the Callender & Oban, here's Taynuilt station in CR times.

156 500 calls at Taynuilt in 1991.

Taynuilt retained its passing loop......

......and the buildings housed the West Hghland Brewery in 1991.

Once again, we zoom across country (let the map explain) to the "Bridge over the Atlantic", giving access to Seil Island by road.

And so we reach Oban, where rooms are available at the Lorne Hotel (no real ale I'm afraid).

So, it's off to the Oban Inn for a few pints.

As evening falls, I'll say goodnight from Oban.

The next post will see us searching for other delights in Oban, then venturing out to the Inner Hebrides.