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GLENFINNAN, 19 miles west of Fort William at the head of Loch Shiel, was where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard to signal the start of the Jacobite uprising of 1745. Surrounded by no more than 200 loyal clansmen, the young rebel prince waited to see if the Cameron of Loch Shiel would join his army. The drone of this powerful chief's pipers drifting up the glen was eagerly awaited, for without him the Stuarts' attempt to claim the English throne would have been sheer folly. Despite strong misgivings, Cameron did decide to support the uprising, and arrived at Glenfinnan on a sunny August 19 with 800 men, thereby encouraging other, wavering clan leaders to follow suit. Assured of adequate backing, the prince raised his red-and-white silk colour, proclaimed his father King James III of England, and set off on the long march to London - from which only a handful of the soldiers gathered at Glenfinnan would return. The spot is marked by a column (now a little lop-sided, Pisa-like), crowned with a clansman in full battle dress, erected as a tribute by Alexander Macdonald of Glenaladale in 1815.

Glenfinnan is a poignant place, a beautiful stage for the opening scene in a brutal drama which was to change the Highlands for ever. The visitor centre and café (daily: June-Aug 9.30am-6pm; April, May, Sept & Oct 10am-5pm; NTS; £1.50), opposite the monument, gives an account of the '45 uprising through to the rout at Culloden eight months later.

Glenfinnan is one of the most spectacular parts of the West Highland Railway line, not only for the glimpse it offers of the monument and graceful Loch Shiel, but also the mighty 21-arched viaduct built in 1901 and one of the first-ever large constructions made out of concrete. You can learn more of the history of this section of the railway at the Glenfinnan Station Museum (June-Sept daily 9.30am-4.30pm; 50p), set in the old booking office of the station. Right beside the station, two old railway carriages have been pressed into use as a highly original restaurant and bunkhouse; the Dining Car (June-Sept daily 10am-5pm; tel 01397/722300) is open for light lunches, home baking and evening meals (Fri-Sun until 8.30pm), while the Sleeping Car (tel 01397/722295; year-round), a converted 1958 camping coach, sleeps ten in bunkbeds.

Nevis View Bed and Breakfast enjoys an ideal location amid the stunning scenery of the Lochaber area. Easily reached either by car, bus or train, it is only 2 miles from Fort Wiliam town centre. The roads leading to the area are a joy to drive on with journey times taking about two and a half hours from Glasgow and one and a half hours from Inverness.

The house is also less than 10 minutes' walk from the nearest train station, at Corpach. Guests travelling by train can book a ticket straight through to Corpach at no extra charge than that to Fort William. Given suitable notice, either Mr or Mrs Grieve will be happy to collect guests from Corpach station. For a more detailed interactive map, click here

Nevis View is in an ideal location for visiting the many attractions available in this part of the Highlands of Scotland.