As expected, I had a fantastic night's sleep at The Columba. Even without a fantastic river view to wake up to like on my last visit, the hotel was a relaxing and comfortable base. Amused to note that once the foreign tourists wake up, the breakfast room still descends into chaos though! Had a quick breakfast before getting out into Inverness for a bit of exploration. The later start to proceedings today allowed for a stroll around town and a chance to relax with decent coffee whilst watching the world go by - something which has become an even more important pleasure for me as things have begun to move faster and faster in my work life. Realised that I was in fact having a proper holiday and not just a rail trip - and I was rather stunned by this. I get a lot of good-natured ribbing from people who genuinely find my activities puzzling. However, even they could, I think, define this as perhaps one of my pet-hate phrases, a mini-break. Thinking of tourists buying tartan and mispronouncing placenames, I shuddered and headed for the station.

Like last years weekend trip, the second day was given over to a spin out to Kyle of Lochalsh. Quite a few on board hadn't done the line before, and the rest of us kept a sort of conspiratorial silence about the trip for their benefit. As we curved out of the Highland side of the station, and clattered over Clacknaharry Swing Bridge, the sun appeared and the clouds dissipated leaving us under blue skies for the climb up to Raven's Rock. The customary break for a crossing train at Achnasheen was taken in bright sunshine, with people fresh to the scenery here expressing awe and amazement that the line didn't see much more promotion along the lines of the Settle and Carlisle route. Back on board, and more stunning curves and sudden vistas as we travelled towards Loch Carron and the west coast. Arrival at Kyle was, as always, a bit of a magical moment - with people realising that this station on the very edge of the sea was something of a special place. Lots of photographs taken from all sorts of vantage points and angles here, of the train on the blocks - symbolic of a journey completed.

After a break for lunch in Kyle, during which I retraced old steps and posted a card home, we returned to find a piper touting for business near the train. Took more photographs and lazed around in the sunshine watching passengers drift back. Some had made the trip over the bridge to Skye, and others had doubled-back to Plockton to see the attractive village and it's legendary pubs. Others had settled for fish and chips on the harbourside. Some complicated running around took place which readied the locomotives for the run back, and we soon set off - and then stopped. This happened several times, leaving the confused piper to guess at whether he should be playing or not. Finally the issue with the RETB system on the leading loco was resolved and we were underway only a few minutes late. Some spirited running soon made up for this, and with the sun still high in the sky as we neared Midsummer's Day, we retraced our steps to Inverness. As we approached the station, noted we hadn't crossed to the platform lines, and enjoyed an impromptu trip along the Rose Street Curve and a propelling move back into the station. With an early evening arrival, there was a chance to wander into town on the busy Saturday evening. Decided to enjoy the evening sun before disappearing into the pub.

As ever, the trip to Kyle felt just as important as the first time. There is something about the contrast of Inverness, passing through the awe-inspiring scenery and then arrival at the tiny settlement on the coast which seems a bit special - and a fair amount of people expressed this after the trip too. Didn't stay out late, but wandered back to the Columba thinking what a great day it had been, and almost forgetting about work, budgets and spending reviews for a while.