6VT Explore the West Highland Line
Inner-city Edinburgh youngsters explore the wilds of the West Highland Line
The West Highland Line offers a spectacular train ride from Glasgow across Rannoch Moor via Fort William and Glenfinnan to the fishing village of Mallaig – the gateway to Skye and the Small Isles. Every year, thousands of visitors make the journey to gain access to a multitude of mountain peaks, gorges, lochs and rivers for exhilarating outdoor adventures.
The West Highland Community Rail Partnership (WHCRP) is keen to point out that the West Highlands are not only for adrenaline junkies, Munro baggers and the super fit. The area also offers more gentle outdoor pursuits in spectacular surroundings for those who do not wish to push themselves to physical extremes.
In early September this year, WHCRP therefore invited seven youngsters from the Edinburgh-based 6VT Youth Café to explore the West Highlands by train, so they could find out for themselves. They were looking for an easy-access low-budget car-free holiday destination for young people with no previous experience of outdoor pursuits.
The 6VT Youth Café offers a safe, welcoming environment for young people to socialise, learn and develop. As the Youth Café is also a community rail partnership, they work to connect young people and promote rail safety. But essentially – they are urban teenagers who feel most at home in the city. What would they make of spending 3 days in the remote West Highlands?
Project co-ordinator Hege Hernæs from WHCRP said: “We put on a programme of short, leisurely rambles with local guides, meet-ups with local teenagers, an interactive railway museum visit, and a wide variety of rail journeys. We wondered how the youngsters would take to the many unusual settings but need not have worried!”
Fiona Horne, 6VT’s Operations Manager, said: “The weekend was an extraordinary adventure for the young people, with a mix of fun, education, and rail history, leaving a lasting impression. It was heartwarming to see how captivated they were by the stunning scenery. The trip was filled with laughter, learning, and plenty of memories that will stay with us for a long time.”
The 3-day trip provided an in-depth exploration of the West Highlands. Thanks to funding from ScotRail and the Donald Gorrie Challenge Fund, participants stayed in the charming Glenfinnan Sleeping Car bunkhouse and enjoyed a special breakfast in the Dining Car next door. Other highlights included the excitement of night walks, rides on the Glenfinnan Wee Railway, the ‘Benighted on the Moor’ audio walk at Corrour (www.westhighlandcrp.com/benighted-on-the-moor-a-new-radio-play) , and Glenfinnan Station Museum’s interactive Signal Box Experience (glenfinnanstationmuseum.co.uk) where they got hands-on with operating signals and points.
“Remarkably interesting!” said one of the participants while others remarked “It was enjoyable and fun. Walking up the hills was great exercise, and the views were fantastic”.
Have a look at the video they compiled from their visit. It may just inspire you too to jump on a train and head for the fresh air of the West Highlands!
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