Inverness and Loch Ness

Inverness (Mouth of the River Ness) is the starting point for exploring Loch Ness and points southwest. It was a pretty place as this photo, probably taken from the slopes of a park, of the river and town shows.

I signed up for a day outing with a local tour company. A cheery Scotsman came around in a people mover van to pick up a bunch of hostellers including me. We drove along the river until it became Loch Ness and stopped a few km down the road to examine the water.

Loch Ness is the largest freshwater body in the Great Glen Fault. It's very plain to see on a map, as if a giant knife had sliced Scotland. The water is very murky and this allows the myth of a Loch Ness Monster to persist. No one in the party really expected to sight Nessie but it gave a little frisson to the outing.

It was a moderately strenuous climb to high ground. The day started off sunny, but it still felt cold due to the wind and our exposed vantage point above the loch.

During the walk our guide regaled us with tales about the loch, information about local flora, and general Scottish history.

At the lunch stop, the guide produced a thermos container holding a haggis, and recited Robert Burns' poem Address To A Haggis before giving each of us a small portion. There was more conventional lunch fare provided in the form of sandwiches and tea.

These are the ruins of Urqhart Castle, probably taken from a moving vehicle as I don't have any recollection of exploring the grounds.