Scotland - The Highlands

More Scotland photos.....

The weather stayed (relatively) warm in the Highlands and even though there was still lots of snow on the hills, it looked to be melting fast. That didn't stop the skiers at the Nevis Range ski resort when we visited though - despite the patchy conditions they were still hurtling down the hill shouting "see yoo Jimmy" as they whizzed past. This was the girls first trip to a ski resort of any kind, and Keezee's first visit to one that served 32 different types of whisky.

Whilst up north we popped up to Loch Ness to see Nessie, and then headed on to Inverness to see the shops. Despite looking keenly for any sign of Nessie, we didn't spot her until we stopped by the tourist shops. We did however spot more locks and long boats which sort of made up for it.


Patchy snow at Scotland's premier ski resort, Nevis Range.


We do believe that is Daniel Boone behind us to the left


It's a resort with activities for everyone... you can go skiing, go hiking or go to the playground


That's the view down to Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, where we stayed, in the background


What's a ski resort without a gondola?


On the gondola


Here we are enjoying the Riverside Walk to the Ben Nevis Path, just past the Visitor Centre


Lucy with the lower slopes of Ben Nevis behind


Nessie hunting


Found her!


The River Ness flows quickly at Inverness


Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness


A red, red robin at Castle Urquhart


Here we are admiring the engineering brilliance of Thomas Telford at Fort Augustus. Tommy (as we'll call him) designed and built the "locks" which connect to Caledonian Canal above to Loch Ness below.


Some more engineering-like brilliance by an artist who built a likeness of Nessie from steel wire. Some nice looking pubs in the background, for those interested in such things.


Here's a pic of some boats at a matching set of locks at the western end of the canal (also built by Tommy) known as the "Steps of Neptune". This is at Fort William, so thanks to Tommy, you can navigate your boat from Inverness on the east coast straight down the middle of the Great Glen, through the Highlands to the west coast, without having to set foot on dry land to face the filthy, barbarous locals roaming around in their kilts. Otherwise you could drive. BTW, that's Ben Nevis covered in clouds in the background.


Here's Lucy exploring the wilderness at Loch Gary


We're not sure if Loch Gary has its own monster, but if it did, it would be called Gazza