We make an early start from Dochgarroch (7pm), navigate carefully past a weir, through Loch Dochfour (very small loch), between navigation buoys and into Loch Ness. Going SW in the Canal you are considered to be going out to sea, so it's greens to port, reds to starboard. It's showery, so we have to use the wipers to keep visibility. Mull of Kintyre (our boat) has only one driving position, and that's inside, so cruising in the rain isn't an issue except for visibility. naNavigator stands beside the driver, who's sitting in comfort.
It's fairly calm as we enter Loch Ness, but the wind is forecast to increase so we decide to head to Urquart Bay, which is normally the first night stop. We find our way into the narrow entrance channel and the skipper reverses into a berth quite expertly (bow thrusters really make life easier). We tie up and wedge some fenders along the back of the boat to stop it bumping on the jetty, then it's time for breakfast.
Later in the morning we set out on the walk to Drumnadrochit. Its about a 3km walk along a very busy road, but we take our time and enjoy the views as the road rises. The first thing we reach in Drumnadrochit is the Loch Ness Centre, and we stop at the cafe there for lunch, not realising that there are several more options in Drumnadrochit proper, which is round a bend and out of sight. Traditional Scottish food: Thai chicken curry and beef lasagne. With chips. But it is tasty, and the coffee is OK. We then walk on into Drumnadrochit in search of a general store, but find only more cafes.
As we were approaching Drumnadrochit there were signs advertising HIGHLAND GAMES, THIS SATURDAY, and we can hear the sound of a PA system. We decide it's worth walking a bit further to find the sportsground where they are being held. We pay our ten quid to get in, and find a very well-organised show. No caber-tossing (or not while we're there), but lots of other heavy objects being thrown, running, jumping, Highland dancing and a pipe band for entertainment. Big crowd of people and dogs around the oval arena, and an outer ring of stalls selling craft and food, and a few fairground rides, including the one of the kind that requires screaming from participants. We find ourselves seats on the perimeter and watch in comfort for a while before walking a complete circuit of the ground, and then returning to one of the Drumnadrochit cafes for a baked potato and drinks. The walk back to the marina in Urquart Bay is gently downhill with the wind behind us, but we're glad to get back to the warmth and comfort of the boat after a lot more walking than we normally do.
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| Pipe band at the Highland games, marching along the running track long jump pit visible behind. |
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