My Mate Nessy

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From Skye I made a swift coach journey to the famous Loch Ness. I had been here before as a young lad but have few vivid memories. Naturally Nessy was pleased to see me after all these years. There were no buses so I hitch hiked to the Falls of Foyers. It was little more than a trickle compared to other times of the year but still quite a cute looking waterfall and complimented by pretty surroundings and a nature walk through the woods down to the village of Foyers. I tried to scrounge a lift on a river cruiser from the local harbour back to Fort Augustus without success. The two groups of boaters I managed to befriend were heading the wrong way. Others I suspect were respectfully trying to enjoy their short holiday, time away by themselves or perhaps just didn't like the look of me!

Fort Augustus is another very pretty place. The Caledonian Canal and its stairway of locks help connect the Atlantic to the North Sea through the Great Glen. The locks at Fort Augustus are all motorised but passengers are still expected to pull their boats through from one lock to the next. There is something I find fascinating about watching the boats climb this stairway, I could probably have watched them all day. But my time here was limited and I decided to take the Loch Ness Express to Inverness. This small aluminium boat is light, carries 36 passengers, kicks out around 700bhp and covers the length of Loch Ness at impressive speed. I was lucky to get a ride as I found out a coach load of people booked the boat and my seat had been over sold. Luckily a few dropped out and I was able to share the experience with a boat load of old ladies and gentlemen who were in fact a very lively and funny bunch of pensioners, obviously enjoying themselves and helped on by two very funny guys who were running the Express service.

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Photos

Stairway to the Atlantic Ocean
These locks were built big enough for the military ships of the time.

Sail Boat on Loch Ness
Behind is the abbey which unfortunately is no longer open to the public.

Falls of Foyers
This plaque marks the top of the falls and steep incline from the town below.

The Falls
Even though it rained the night before it wasn't exactly roaring today.

Valley at Foyers
Some great views can be had from the Falls over looking the valley

Busy Bee
Lots of wildlife were buzzing around the woods near Foyers

Hostel Bar
I chill out in the evening at the hostel bar with a friend I met that day.

Urquhart Castle
On the banks of Loch Ness. According to the film Loch Ness, Nessy lives in a secret underwater cavern.

A Mad Twosome
These guys seem to really enjoy running the Loch Ness Express service and they couldn't have been more helpful.