Locks on Canal
Another trip north, this time to the shores of Loch Ness and banks of the Caledonian Canal, with a group of friends. I had been to Fort Augustus before, briefly, and it hadn’t left much impression. It is a small village offering limited facilities in a great location.
Loch Ness
We took a trip on the Loch with Cruise Loch Ness and found out all there is to know about the creatures that lurk under the dark waters of the Loch, as well as folklore of the monster! Although at times outwith my interest the guide was enthusiastic and passionate about what is to be found within the Loch and had lots of photos to show us of fish/monsters that had been found thus far. Sonar is set up so you can see what you are sailing over, including the terrain of the Loch.
Cloisters
Abbey Window view
Staying at the former Abbey gave us opportunity to walk around the 20 acre estate to check out what developments are being made by The Highland Club, some good some not so sympathetic. The entrance drive view of the Abbey has been compromised by the new block of flats (which is where we were staying) in white harling that has been bunged onto the side of the original, granite building, although it was very nice inside! The development is still a work in progress.
Boathouse
Autumnal Loch
We found the locals not the most friendly of souls. In the Lock Inn we were ordering drinks and in the middle of our sentence we got a “please? say please. I use it and I like to hear other people use it too” from the barmaid when we hadn’t even finished ordering drinks, at which point we fully intended saying please! Then the unhelpful Bothy Inn wouldn’t take bookings, even though we said there would be 9 of us coming for dinner, and they stopped taking orders at 8pm – 8pm?! When we did arrive at 7.30pm for dinner we were met with long faces, and confused looks as to whether they could accommodate us. They conceded to feed us but we were not allowed to put tables together so our party of 9 could eat together! Hospitality? Hostility was more like it! I was one of two Scots amongst our party and we were both embarrassed and irritated by this narrow-minded, unprofessional, inhospitable attitude, which unfortunately seems to abound the further north you go and the smaller the place you visit – despite tourism apparently being the mainstay of these small villages and towns!
Fort Augustus
Another friendly sign
