Land and Ferry cruise to Iona 1984


	Land and Ferry Cruise to Iona..1984


		In the mid 1980's, SLOA, the Steam Locomotive Operators Association, operated, in addition to their normal Steam Hauled excursions, a number of "Scenic Land Cruises" to the West Highlands of Scotland. These usually involved overnight travel to and from Scotland, together with one or two nights hotel accomodation at either Fort William and/or Oban. On this tour, The Lochaber Scenic Land Cruise, I was accompanied by my son Martin, then aged 10, and a work colleague and his wife.

		The train was formed predominately of Pullman stock, and headed north with Electric power in the late evening of Friday 31st August 1984. At Mossend, diesel power took over in the form of English Electric type 3, no 37081 Loch Long, for the journey up the West Highland line. Crossing stops were made at Bridge of Orchy and Corrour, and we arrived Fort William 20 minutes late. We immediately transferred over to a 5 coach train for a trip along the West Highland extension line to Mallaig. Up front were ex North British 0-6-0 no 673 Maude, and Black 5 no 44767, double heading. We were away at exactly 12 noon, and after stops at Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Arisaig, and Morar, we reached Mallaig at 2.23pm. The weather was mixed, with occasional showers. The return trip to Fort William left Mallaig at 3.07pm, and with stops at Morar and Glenfinnan, we were back into Fort William at 5.06pm. Here, it was back on to the Pullman train for the run to Oban. This time we had 37014. With a crossing stop at Tulloch, and a reversal at Crainlarich, we finally reached Oban 24 late. Here we had Hotel accomodation booked, complete with evening meal.

Oban to Craignuire ferry

Ferry to Iona

The following morning, Sunday, we were straight on to the Ferry for the Isle of Skye. Arriving at Craignuire, we walked the short distance to the Isle of Mull Railway, for a pleasant trip to Torosay and back. Then after a short while sightseeing, we were on to a coach for a drive across the island to it's westernmost point, where we had the option of joining the ferry across the Sound of Iona, to the Island itself. By now the weather was sunny, but with a strong wind. A number of our party, having seen the motion of the ferry, declined the trip. But we chose to proceed, and it was an experience not to be missed; both the tossing and turning of the ferry, and the short time we were able to spend on Iona itself. All too soon, we had to make the return trip on the ferry, and then on to the coach for our return, via a different route, back to Craignuire. Then back across the Sound of Mull, and directly on to our train, which was waiting in Oban station.From Oban, we had 37051 right through to Mossend. There was a crossing stop at Dalmally for 24 minutes, and a stop at Dalreoch for single line working. Thus we were 30 minutes late at Mossend, where Electric power took over for our journey south. I remember little of the journey. I was no doubt asleep.

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