Mallaig
Mallaig is a port in Lochaber, on the west shore of the Highlands of Scotland. The regional railway station, Mallaig, is the terminus of the West Highland train line (Ft William and Mallaig branch) and also the town is connected to Fort William by the A830 road-- the "Road to the Isles". The village of Mallaig was founded in the 1840s, when Lord Lovat, owner of North Morar Estate, divided up the farm of Mallaigvaig into seventeen tracts as well as urged his renters to relocate to the western part of the peninsula and also look to fishing as a way of living. The population and also regional economy increased quickly in the 20th century with the arrival of the train. Ferryboats operated by Caledonian MacBrayne and also Western Isles Cruises cruise from the port to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, Inverie in Knoydart, and the islands of Rùm, Eigg, Muck, and Canna. Mallaig is the major industrial fishing port on the West Coast of Scotland, and throughout the 1960s was the busiest herring port in Europe. Mallaig prided itself during that time on its popular traditionally smoked kippers, the fishmonger Andy Race still giving genuine oak smoked kippers from the factory shop on the harbour. Mallaig and also the surrounding area is a preferred area for holidays. Most of the area speaks English, with a minority of residents talking both English and also Gaelic. On top of that, conventional Gaelic is still instructed in Mallaig Primary School to students who pick to find out the language.