The West Highland Lines
The West Highland Lines

Author: Gordon D. Webster

Publisher: The History Press

Published: 2014-05-01

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 075095700X

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The railway lines of the West Highlands of Scotland are famous the world over for their illustrious history and unparalleled scenic beauty. Linking Glasgow with Oban, Fort William and Mallaig, the lines managed to survive the axe of Dr Beeching, whose infamous report forced the closure of almost a third of Britain's railways in the 1960s. With a detailed look at the routes, their workings and rolling stock since then, Webster examines how the West Highland network has gone on to prosper to the present day. Despite Beeching, British Rail's rationalisation, privatisation, fluctuating freight traffic levels and economic downturn, the network retained its unique infrastructure in the modern age. Today the use of modern traction, together with the return of steam-hauled trains, has added yet another dimension to this wonderful scenic route.

The West Highland Way
The West Highland Way

Author: Robert Aitken

Publisher:

Published: 1990

Total Pages: 206

ISBN-13:

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Opened in 1980, the West Highland way was Scotland's first long distance walking route. This text is a companion guide for those taking the walk from Glasgow to Fort William and provides Ordinance Survey maps. It has been revised to incorporate changes in the character of the route over the years.

Scotland from the Rails
Scotland from the Rails

Author: Benedict Le Vay

Publisher:

Published: 2021-06

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 9781784777623

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A brand new book from the author of the acclaimed Britain from the Rails. Entertaining, eccentric, informative, inspirational and only very occasionally trainspotter-ish, Scotland from the Rails is the perfect guide to some of the most romantic rail journeys not just in Britain but the worldScotland's rail network boasts the highest mainline summits in Britain; the longest bridge; the longest and boldest spans; the most famous railway bridge of all (the Harry Potter one; some of the friendliest staff and the most lovely - and downright quirky - station buildings, many lovingly maintained or restored. And for icing on the cake, or rather cream on the Cranachan (a Scottish pudding best enjoyed with a wee dram) - some utterly charming and fascinating preserved lines, steam centres and luxury excursion trains which cruise through this magnificent land.

The West Highland Railway
The West Highland Railway

Author: John A. McGregor

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Published: 2005-08-19

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 1788855728

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The West Highland Railway, which opened to Fort William in 1894 and to Mallaig in 1901, follows a scenic route by Loch Lomond, Breadalbane and Lochaber to the west coast of Scotland and is one of the most famous railway lines in the world. This book describes the late-nineteenth-century 'railway mania' in the Highlands, addressing the politics of promotion and the disputes over state assistance for the Fort William–Mallaig line, rather than the heroics and the romance of construction and operation. It discusses the uneasy alliances and battles between the railway companies of Scotland, as well as those between Scottish lines and their English counterparts. It also reviews other schemes, more or less successful, and examines the expectations bound up with railway development, asking how far these had been achieved, or remained relevant, by 1914. 'This is a meticulously researched book . . . a unique and comprehensive history of the origins of the West Highland Railway . . . an essential addition to the library of anyone with an interest in Scottish railway history' - Ewan Crawford, University of Glasgow 'a fascinating and revealing study of rail development issues in the western Highlands between the 1840s and 1914' - Tom Hart, University of Glasgow

The Highland High Way
The Highland High Way

Author: Heather Connon

Publisher: Mainstream Publishing Company Limited

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 223

ISBN-13: 9781851587919

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The Highland High Way is a magnificent high-level route through some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery and across its finest hills. Running for 105 miles from Loch Lomond to Fort William, the route includes Black Mount, one of the greatest hill walks in the country; an exhilarating ridge walk along the Aonah Eagach; and a Munro extravaganza in the Mamores. The grand finale is Ben Nevis, approached along the spectacular Carn Mor Dearg arete. The eight-day route described in this book takes in at least 14 Munros, among them Ben Lomond, Ben Lui and Beinn Dorain. In addition, four further excursions are suggested along the way, including Scotland's most spectacular hill, Buachaille Etive Mor, bringing the total to 23 - a real Munro-bagger's delight.

Scotland's Lost Branch Lines
Scotland's Lost Branch Lines

Author: David Spaven

Publisher: Origin

Published: 2022-05-03

Total Pages: 449

ISBN-13: 1788857224

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The infamous ‘Beeching Axe’ swept away virtually every Scottish branch line in the 1960s. Conventional wisdom viewed these losses as regrettable yet inevitable in an era of growing affluence and rising car ownership. This ground-breaking study of Dr Beeching’s approach to closures has unearthed – from rarely or never previously referenced archive sources – strong evidence of a ‘stitch-up’, ignoring the scope for sensible economies and improvements which would have allowed a significant number of axed routes to survive and prosper. Acclaimed railway historian David Spaven traces the birth, life and eventual death of Scotland’s branch lines through the unique stories of how a dozen routes lost their trains in the 1960s: the lines to Ballachulish, Ballater, Callander, Crail, Crieff /Comrie, Fraserburgh, Kelso, Kilmacolm, Leven, Peebles, Peterhead and St Andrews. He concludes by exploring a potential renaissance of branch lines, propelled by concerns over road congestion, vehicle pollution and the climate emergency.

Land Agent
Land Agent

Author: Lowri Ann Rees

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Published: 2018-06-08

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 1474438881

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This book brings together leading researchers of British and Irish rural history to consider the role of the land agent, or estate manager, in the modern period. Land agents were an influential and powerful cadre of men, who managed both the day-to-day running and the overall policy direction of landed estates. As such, they occupy a controversial place in academic historiography as well as popular memory in rural Britain and Ireland. Reviled in social history narratives and fictional accounts, the land agent was one of the most powerful tools in the armoury of the British and Irish landed classes and their territorial, political and social dominance. By unpacking the nature and processes of their power, 'The Land Agent' explores who these men were and what was the wider significance of their roles, thus uncovering a neglected history of British rural society.