The Highlands and the Lochs



Loch Ness

Urqhuart Castle on Loch Ness

The Highlands

Friday 6.30am



Left Nairn early as we had a big day ahead. Drove back through Inverness and this time found the riverfront we were looking for yesterday to have lunch. Naturally it had some lovely eating places with nice views. Much better than the shopping centre where we ate. We then headed south along Loch Ness – the road winds along beside it and it is a very picturesque drive. We stopped at the Loch Ness Centre and were less than impressed with what was there. Mainly gift shops and a film on the search for Nessie.

Had coffee at Fort Augustus which has 5 man-made locks which are part of the Caledonian Canal. The Caledonian Canal links the east coast of Scotland at Inverness with the west coast of Scotland near Fort William. Watched the boats go through the locks from Loch Ness to Loch Lochy. They move 1 million tons of water in 5 minutes.

We continued criss-crossing the waterways to Fort William at the base of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s tallest mountain.  Stopped on the way at the Glencoe Visitor Centre and were once again unimpressed however the view was stunning and the scenery was spectacular on the rest of the drive.

Reached Stirling at about 6pm. We had only travelled 200 miles but it takes a lot longer than the equivalent distance in Australia.  Off to the Lakes District in England today.