Multifarious Mallaig 30 May 2024

 

Glenfinnan Viaduct
Work on the Fort William to Mallaig railway line started in 1897 and was completed in 1901. It was to be the last and most expensive railway extensions in Scotland for the next 100 years. The line was built by (Sir) Robert McAlpine & Sons.  Sir Robert was known as Concrete Bob for his pioneering use of mass concrete for building large structures - including the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is 280m long, has 21 semi-circular spans at 30m high and forming a 240m radius curve.  It has featured in many films, particularly the Harry Potter films where it carried the Hogwarts Express.

Due to rather a lot of wind we are not moving location today.  So, Susie and Mary took the train from Mallaig to Glenfinnan to see the viaduct, have a short walk, and a superb smoked salmon sandwich for lunch.  A great trip I’m told.

Meanwhile Gordon and I investigated a water leak associated with the port engine. After crawling over and around it, and running it for a time, we eventually identified the leak as coming from the rear end of the impeller pump.  It’s currently not a serious leak - one that we will need to fix when we get back home but in the meantime we will just have to monitor it.  Unfortunately we also found evidence of another saltwater leak near the water heater - one which might be associated with the generator but at the moment we’re not sure.  More investigation needed.

Working on the engine gave Gordon and I the excuse to buy our lunch from The Bakery which overlooks the marina.  It has a queue from 8am and sells wonderful food.  We had a hummus bap and a ricotta cheese sandwich plus two custard filled brioche.

We had the chance to catch up on a bit of Mallaig history - we even visited the Heritage Centre. This picture shows Mallaig pre-1840.  It had just a few croft huts, and in 1841 just four families lived there, all of whom were recorded as farm labourers.

Lord Lovat who owned the land at that time drew up plans for a new village with 16 new crofts, all of which were to be used by fishermen.  Lovat commissioned a new pier in 1846. He, or his offspring continued to develop the community: in 1879 a new road, in 1883 a barrel and salt store for the packing of fish.

The herring fishery, although seasonally very variable, remained important well into the 20th century.  The harbour still sports a healthy number of fishing vessels (though not for herring), and vessels associated with fish farming, and is also very important for passenger ferries to a number of islands.

Mallaig harbour with a passenger ferry behind, fishing vessels in the middle, 
and a beautiful boat nearest.  

In the afternoon we all went for a 3k circular walk up a hill behind the town (same walk as we did last year).  Good to hear a Whitethroat, see Swallows and get a bit of exercise.

The two ends of Helen’s Seat overlooking the harbour.  
The seat is so good it should be a visitor attraction!

Last but not least we don’t know what this is about:

This sign is on a fence on a rather small and empty site overlooking the marina.
Are they downsizing?