The Jacobite 2020

Found this recently - sure that all Nat Pres photographers are selecting less busy locations but nevertheless may be grateful for the action being taken at Glenfinnan.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/glenf...hccOQjRO3jot043Zmr77PHYUe4ZvpxnQl99z0s1vdDocY

 

One might hope that the film company, who have obviously made a fortune out of Harry Potter, could see their way to funding this.

 

It's Warner Bros we are talking about here so don't hold your breath. I suspect that J K Rowling would likely be a more promising comtributer.

Peter

 

Surely a matter for the local authorities and Scottish Government? They seem to blow plenty away on road building in the Highlands, disproportionate to the traffic and to the detriment of the glorious scenery.

 

Indeed it should be. The massive increase in visitor numbers to Glenfinnan came about largely due to heavy promotion from the likes of VisitScotland, who 'suddenly' discovered it (some eight years after the last film was completed), with precious little thought being given to whether the infrastructure could actually handle it.

I had a rather silly exchange, in the Scottish press, last summer, with one of the former local councillors, who believe that JK Rowling and I should both pay for it personally!

In truth, much like the North Coast 500 (as mentioned on Radio 2 this morning), the principal beneficiaries are the local businesses, not the likes of us, and so its for the local authorities to support them - and there is no doubt it is currently a major issue for Glenfinnan.

JS

 

Thanks JS.
Depressing. I felt this a few years ago when trying to bag a Great Britain tour at Inverness, Aviemore and Blair Athol by service train. But failed at the last hurdle because a late running train got stuck and ever-later in the single track chicanes. Meanwhile cars sailed by on the bloated parallel dual carriageway...
I gather they have repaired the footpath from the station to the viaduct though. It was a bit of a struggle for us on the wet day we did it.

 

To be fair to JK Rowling - Glenfinnan plays no part in any of her books.

 

Based on that farce about 10 or 12 years ago when Thomas licence holder at the time (not sure which is was then) threatened the Bluebell over the use of Stepney probably not much chance of that I suspect. All a bit one way with these big companies who own a "goldmine"

 

Thanks, rather like there was no hot-air balloon in Jules Verne's Around the World! Incidentally, nothing whatever against Ms Rowling, who insisted that the films stayed true to UK settings. Hope some of the custom reflects in very full loadings of the Jacobite.

 

Out of interest, who funded the deer fence from the bridge to the west of Glenfinnan to the point where the railway crosses the stream? I understand it was put up because of suicidal tourists, one driver on the K1 had the heart in mouth moment when faced with one of them standing on the ballast with his back to the train taking a selfie!

 

John, believe it or not, deer fences are put up by landowners to keep deer out, not to deter suicidal tourists. They don't come cheap.

Peter

 

Thanks Peter. Having heard of one or two incidents along that stretch of line most of us up there in October assumed it was to deter trespass and it got named, the anti gricer fence. We all used to use the unofficial footpath over the line by the rocky outcrop but knew the drill and waited for the Fort William bound unit to pass first.

 

Interesting, I wonder if any of these will be full, personally I can't see it !
https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/news/corona-virus

 

"There is currently no change to advice for train travel within the UK". No advice specifically for train travel, perhaps, but what about the general advice to avoid all unnecessary travel?

 

I have regularly supported WCRC but someone needs to take a reality pill, the statement is somewhere between misguided and downright irresponsible.

 

From West Coast dated 18th March. <BJ>

CHANGE ANY BOOKING WITHOUT CHARGE.

''If for whatever reason you would like to change a booking to a trip later in the year you can do that without charge all we ask is we get a minimum 14 days' notice prior to your departure date. For a limited period, this applies to all bookings made before 30th April 2020.

Alternatively you can cancel your booking and transfer the full amount paid to a gift voucher without any amendment fee, plus we will give you an extra 10% onto the gift voucher value''.

 

See WCRC website - all trips up to 30th April cancelled. Passengers to receive letter re options that include 100% refund. Sense at last!

 

April 30 may be a bit optimistic. The Scottish government has been far more decisive than the Eton waffler in tackling this crisis

 

True, but most other promoters have said pretty much the same. It will allow flexibility and no doubt it will be extended if needed as that date gets closer.