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Day three was to be a gentle walk … past Ness church, and Inverness castle
This red sandstone castle was built 1836 but there have been castles on this site since 1057. The previous castle to this one,was levelled by Bonny Prince Charlie, in the late 1740’s … by using explosives.
I then made my way across Ness bridge where the view of the river is stunning
and along to take a closer look at the cathedral … the Cathedral of St Andrews was completed in 1869 …it took 3 years …. funds ran out … so the original design, which had two magnificent spires, was never completed.
and of course have a coffee and scone in their tea room.
I then continued the walk to wards the Ness Islands, passing the Eden Court Theatre
and on again towards the Ness islands
This bird looked at me as if to say ...'Yes I am a pigeon ...but its hot'
I was not expecting a pigeon to be paddling in the river.lol
Nearly there .....
Ness Islands is a public owned park, made of tiny islands connected to the river bank by a foot bridge …a recreational area from 1840 …packed with wild life.
I sat and took in the tranquillity of my surrounings… and then chatted to a new mum who trained dogs and horses and finally made my way back.
My meal this day was at ‘Contrast’ …the best one of the stay …it all was magnificent but the starter of creamed leek and potato soup with hand made tiny rolls, was the high light …. I cant describe the pleasure on the palate.
The evening was spent knitting and watching the river from my window, as my legs were a little tired …and my face a little burnt, as the only thing I didn’t pack was sun screen …well who would have guessed we were in for a heat wave.
Day Four ....Still a heat wave and still no sunscreen.
It was the day of the boat trip on the canal and Loch Ness.
The Caledonian Canal was constructed by Thomas Telford, a great feat of engineering . It’s construction was authorized in 1803 but not opened until 1822.The idea was to join the West Coast and the Moray Firth at the North Sea…..safer than rounding the Northern coast line. Only a third of the 62 miles were man made …the rest is through Lochs. Sadly by the time it was finished many of the new ships were too large to use it and steam ships could navigate the difficult waters, that had been the reason for its construction. It then became a water way used more by pleasure crafts.
We started at Tomnahurich Bridge ......
and then experienced the sounds of the river bank …how I wish I could recognise the bird song that we heard …so loud that it could be heard over the boats engine.
We made our way down to Dochgarroch Lock … this was the only one we went though as we made our way to Loch Ness.
As we entered the waters of the Loch we past the smallest light house in Scotland …if not the UK … it used to guide boats into the canal by the keeper putting an oil lamp in his bedroom window after dark …there are, thankfully, lights nowadays and the keepers house is not used.
We saw many interesting buildings on the banks of the canal and Loch Ness….I wish I had taken notes....especially about the one that looks like one straight from a Fairy tale.
and the Loch and its shore was stunning
We turned at Urquhart Castle …this time I stayed on the boat but next time I would explore.
There is no evidence of when it was built but in 1296 there is a record of its existence. It lead a colourful life falling in and out of many hands Most of the destruction occurred in the 1690’s while preventing it falling into Jacobite hands ..it was never repaired and the stones were plundered by locals for building works.
On the way back I noticed these tiny weirs.. giving texture to the canal waters.
At the end of tour we were picked up by the Tour Bus and dropped not far from ‘The Mustard Seed’ restaurant…..so needless to say I just had to drop in …and I was lucky to get a table.
The starter of an onion tart, was the high light as the puff pastry was so light it could have floated off the plate and the flavours of the contents were like a marriage made in heaven. The main course however was a disappointment as, although the Sea Bass was perfectly cooked, the vegetables fell short and the sauce murdered the flavour of the Bass…it seemed to be just natural yogurts with cinnamon stirred into it.
Friday arrived and I really did not want to leave ….having devoured another wonderful breakfast I set off. Again the train journey had its ups and downs but the scenery seen through the window, was wonderful and that is what I wanted to remember.
…along with the gentleman who helped me with my case …even though he was at least 5 years my senior.
If you got to the end of this ….well done … I would send you a medal if I had one ...but I hope you enjoyed sharing my holiday, with a shake of history on top, spread over the two LONG posts
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Take Care xx
The village tried to create the feel of the galas of years gone by and sitting parked on the streets were some wonderful vintage vehicles ...which makes me feel totally vintage as I remembered many of them being driven. Here are just a few I managed to capture.
