Blogs from Fort Augustus, Inverness-shire, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Tuesday, 19 July 2022, Day 3 Great Glen Way, Glengarry Castle Hotel to Loch Ness Guest House, Fort Augustus. 9.55 miles 560 elevation gain. 4 hours walking Today is a beautiful sunny clear day. We have breakfast in the Hotel and then start our walk about 0935. Since it promises to be a good day with not much elevation gain and a much shorter distance we are all walking. From the hotel we walked into the village of Invergarry, past the hotel and then climbed on a trail through the forest to a path that paralleled the west and south side of Loch Oich. Again the main route of the GGW is on the other side of Loch Oich. At the Bridge of Oich we crossed over the River Oich and join the main GGW track. ... read more

A free day! It was our driver's rest day, so we would not be on the move today. Haggis had given us a leaflet with activities on it earlier in the trip and we could pick some if we wished or just do our own thing. I had decided sod the cost, who knows if I will ever be back here and plumped for two of the activities: the rib boat trip up to Urquhart Castle and canoeing. Breakfast was included at the hostel, so I helped myself to some of that. It was pretty good; cereals, toast, baked beans, hard boiled eggs and spreads. I think there was tea and coffee too. I'm glad for once that I didn't stuff myself as the boat trip might make me a little sea sick. We headed down ... read more

It was another early start. I had a bit of an upset stomach and a headache, I wonder if it was the fish and chips or the mushy peas. After popping some pills I felt better and headed over to the bakery to get some breakfast. We were setting off pretty early, but luckily the local bakery opens even earlier so we could get some food into us, before another busy day ahead. I got a coffee and a bacon and black pudding pastry wrap, which was delicious. I love black pudding. There was also a mouth watering selection of cakes and biscuits, so I got one to have a little later. On the bus we drove for a bit to reach Loch Fada viewpoint, well it wasn't a proper viewpoint, as we just pulled over ... read more

19thMay Dochgaroch to Urquhart Bay – 8.5nm A very short trip today...looks like that might be the way to go. Left just after a rain shower and minutes before the lock behind us opened, letting out 3 charter boats. Been advised to avoid them at all costs. They stand out a mile as the charters are all wearing very bright, very big orange lifejackets!! Had sunshine for most of the trip, winding our way through the canal, very beautiful this morning, and on to Loch Ness. Keeping an eye out for Nessie, but just really enjoying the surrealism of being on Loch Ness...a place you have always known existed and now are a part of!! Fortunately the only 'visitors mooring buoy' was free, so we took that. Can't quite see Urquhart castle from where we are ... read more

We're cuddled on the couch under a big, puffy comforter tonight thinking about the grand adventures of this day...both today and a year ago. Our family and friends surrounded us and watched us exchange our vows and our girls tied our hand fasting cord. A year ago, we never would have guessed we would be here on the banks of Loch Ness .... We truly feel blessed to have found each other and enjoy every second in each other's company. I'm lucky to be able to share my entire self with another soul. It's 11:00 pm, 5:00 pm back home in a South Dakota and time for the Skype fiesta! We really enjoy visiting the girls with this and it has really kept us all sane while we are apart! Love this technological advancement with the ... read more