Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Day 88 - South Laggan to Fort Augustus

A midgy morning because we were in the shade but you could see it was going to be another beautiful day. We were a bit late starting as we overslept! We have, however, caught up with ourselves and have managed to fit everything in - walking, shopping, postcards, barbecue etc....

Fort Augustus is only a small place but a very popular and attractive tourist stop, being at the end of Loch Ness, and so it was that there were coachloads of people milling around by the canal. Once again, the bulk of them seemed to be Italian but there were lots of nationalities, including good old English. I sat and watched smart sailing boats going through the locks as I waited for The Walker. I didn't walk to meet him - it was too hot after sweeping and cleaning inside the van!

From Bernie:
Today's walk 10.5 miles : Cumulative 1103.5 miles

Another sweltering day on the Great Glen Way! Loch Lochy yesterday, Loch Oich today & the beautiful stretch of canal up to Fort Augustus. The holiday season is in full swing now: the locks busy with yachts & motor-cruisers, canoes lazily drifting in & out of shallow inlets & Les is right - many more English visitors now the schools are on holiday. Glad we're at the quieter end of our trek!




Caledonian Canal near North Laggan

Spotted the Adventure Holiday Barge, 'Fingal', which I photographed on Saturday at the top of Neptune's Staircase. Yesterday they were doing watery stuff near Bunarkaig on Loch Lochy & today they were already quietly moored at the northern end of Loch Oich. Nobody about so I guess they were probably walking, cycling or climbing. They seem to be making faster progress up the Glen than me!


'Fingal' on Loch Oich

Final bit of disused railway today, I think! Followed the route of the Invergarry-Fort Augustus line beside Loch Oich, which was originally intended as part of a Fort William to Inverness connection - a fortune was invested in the project.... but this was the only section ever completed & it closed, unloved & hardly used, in 1946. 'Temporary' signs explain work to be undertaken by Sustrans in 2010 to restore bridges & clear trees, converting the old route into a cycle-way but it looks as if they, too, have abandoned the project. The Great Glen Way is, in any case, wide enough & safe enough for walkers & cyclists to share!

Caledonian Canal below Cullochy Lock

My obsession with Industrial heritage cost me a rare sighting at Aberchalder. I was busy wandering backwards & forwards over the double-cantilever Bridge of Oich, happily taking photos, when the lock-keeper shouted, 'Look!' - apparently he'd spotted a sea eagle swoop across the loch & over trees barely 50 yards away! I turned to look, as did several other people, but we all looked in different directions & none of us saw the blessed bird! Never mind, at least I got to cross the historic Bridge of Oich!


Approaching Kytra Lock

Song of the Day (an occasional series!): 'High Flying Bird' by Judy Henske - early 1960's gem!

Highlight of the Day: gorging on wild raspberries hanging from dozens of bushes beside the towpath near Cullochy Lock; the chocolate was forsaken - it became a cider & raspberry stop! Bit smaller than the ones the manager bought from Morrisons but tastier & much cheaper. Shouldn't have told you the location, you'll all be up here picking them!

Beer of the Day: 'Red Cuillin' from the Isle of Skye Brewery. Dark copper coloured, smooth & pleasant, I've had this many times before when on the islands. Had a quick check to see if I was wearing my 'Red Cuillin' tee-shirt!


Fort Augustus & southern tip of Loch Ness

Called in the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre to see if I could replace the Great Glen Way tee-shirt I bought here in 2003 but they don't do them anymore! Bought a Canal one instead! Missed the young couple today but caught up the couple from Glasgow in Fort Augustus - they were pressing on to Invermoriston; I went to the pub!

Glen: typical male student! I probably wasn't listening in the second half of the lesson!
Into 'Nessie' country!

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