The first order of business after landing in the western highlands was to ride The Jacobite aka Hogwart’s Express aka The Harry Potter Train. The children were not thrilled after we took our seats. They complained that we were victims of fraud and were convinced that I was trying to cheat them out of a real Harry Potter Train experience. The real steam engine must have plush compartments off a corridor, down which comes a trolly serving pumpkin pasties and chocolate frogs. I could feel my temperature rising after forking over almost 200 pounds sterling to hear more whining until I caught fellow adult passengers snickering at the outrageous nonsense coming from my entitled kids. “Are you kidding! What do you think this is, Universal Studios?!?” I cried with a sarcastic edge. It took some time before they realized that everyone we passed was waving up at us because we were on the famous train used in the movie, and apologies were in order. Lucky for them gratitude began to surface at some point before they had their faces glued to the window looking out for Dumbledore’s place of burial. Otherwise I would easily keep them at home in the study while I took a kayak out on the loch.
After climbing off at Mallaig we had some time to walk around a bit and snap a few photos of the Inner Hebrides and Kurti got to visit some of the boats docked in the arena.
The next day we drove back out to Glenfinnan to see the famed steam train’s viaduct once more and soak in a bit of history. In one direction the viaduct spreads across the landscape with a powerful ben behind it and in the other direction the towering monument of Glenfinnan symbolizes the beginning of the Forty-Five and the raising of the Stuart standard shortly after the Bonnie Prince landed on the local shores in 1745 after departing his refuge in France. There is a lovely hotel and restaurant where we ate called Glenfinnan House with local specialties and a fantastic vista.
Zipping back toward Fort William we made a quick stop at Inverlochy Castle.
Then on to Neptune’s Staircase where we were fortunate enough to see a boat come through, but didn’t stick around for the entire 90 minute process. There are a total of eight locks in the staircase and it’s really quite pleasant to sip a coffee in the cafe in inclement weather. We were lucky as it only started raining as we planned to leave.
Another day we went for a hike beyond Ben Nevis to Steall Falls. The valley you walk through to reach the falls is where the Harry Potter Quidditch match was filmed among other large screen movies, and for good reason.
Anna and Sophia love manouvering on the tight rope that crosses the stream. But Kristina and Kurti are too still to small and had to disrobe, walk, fall on the slimy river bed rocks, and be carried across by their courageous sisters. Anna and Sophia were more than willing to pose for the camera as the heroes, and walk out of the canyon sopping wet up to their knees.
Anna’s Italian sneakers from our trip last summer couldn’t be salvaged, but we did find a cool rock shaped like a dinosaur egg to carry back to the car park with us.
After dinner out we returned to Ardhu house, an imposing structure that was likely last remodeled sometime in the 70’s and our home for the week. The gorgeous grounds are set right on Loch Linnhe with an interior that must have been quite grand when it was fresh. The kids were so excited when we pulled up that they exclaimed, “We’re staying in a castle!” But after spending some time inside with the particular smells familiar to an older building, the kids were often found outside soaking in the amazing scenery, sometimes with their mouths open to the brooding Scottish heavens as the rain poured down.
The Roeloffs' BIG Adventure 
Thank you Shayanne for the tour. It seems so wonderful and the children won’t ever forget the experience. Love to all
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Thanks for joining us, Gloria!
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Such a great experience for all of you. Fond memories… Not many families are able to do what you are doing. (I want to ride the Harry Potter train too!)
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I am very grateful that we decided to do this. It is the last year we could as a whole family before Anna enters high school. I read about two parents who simultaneously lost their jobs, sold their house and took the kids on the road. That’s when I really got inspired to go against the grain–we’re only dealing with a mid-life crisis!
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I learned about the political prisoners held at Fort William after some of the Scots rebelled trying to bring Bonnie Prince Charles back to the English throne. A dark time of war and British rule. I hope your visit was not weighed down by that history. Thank you for sharing the trip. Lenni
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There were many years of darkness, Lenni, and it is still there. I made a few friends during our time in the Highlands and it’s not only still simmering in the people, it’s as though even the earth remembers it. Last year I cried at Culloden. This year after the visit I was sullen for a day. So much blood shed and so much violence over thousands of years… hard not to have an effect, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We just left Venice and I had a hard time at the Bridge of Sighs and the Jewish Ghetto as well. It makes me grateful for all that our ancestors have been through and how little hardship I have had to endure in comparison. The world is not a perfect place, but it certainly is better IMO. Thanks for participating in our adventure!
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