After Fort William we headed for Inverness along Loch Ness.
Along the way is a Commando memorial probably because this area was used for their training and a place where their ashes can be scattered. As you can see from the car park its very popular.
This is Urquart castle on the banks of Loch Ness. They now charge a fortune just to visit which when I last visited here about 30 years ago with the kids you could walk around for free. But this is what has happened to many places.
This was a very nice [expensive] tea rooms that we stopped off at. It was very nice though with superb cakes.
We stayed at a campsite in Culloden, right near the battlefield and one of the pitches was closed due to a nesting Oystercatcher.
We visited the battlefield and again this has changed tremendously [see here]. when I was here last again 30 years ago its was really atmospheric with just a small visitors hut, but it has been sanitised with a huge visitors centre. But in all fairness it does give a huge lot of information for those who are not familiar with the battle.
This is Inverness in full sunshine, its not many times of the year that you can walk around here in shorts.
The town hall resembled a French chateau.
The castle and views over the town.
As we were here for 4 days I booked the van in to get the oil warning light sorted, which ended up being an actual oil change, just to keep the warranty valid.
I had booked train tickets for the trip from Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh, one of the best train journeys in the UK. These were taken through the windows. Its such a remote journey and like all of Scotland a scenery overload.
"Scenery overload..." Ain't that the truth where Scotland is concerned!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post and great photos as usual Dave!
Spean Bridge Memorial to the Commandos is very popular today. Many trained in that region. My dad did also with a Mountain Artillery regiment, mules, guns and 'snowshoes.'
ReplyDeleteIn 1978 a friend and I walked by the Ness and counted 16 different church denominations represented!
The town felt like a metropolis after being in the highlands.
Great stuff!
The centuries old building are just amazing...nothing like that here in the US. The memorials are very humbling.....A train ride is the best way to see vast expanses of gorgeous landscapes like the ones in your photos. Where is the Monster in the Loch?
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