Nessie Watch

There are so many patches of water in Scotland, that they have run out of names for them all.  So it was that, after a peaceful night, we motored out into Loch Lochy.

Loch Lochy

Lagan has a double lock but only one chamber was used to lift us up to the canal leading to beautiful Loch Oich.  Here we met several boats coming the other way, which was a change from further back, where we had met little traffic.  Most yachts seemed to be French and Norwegian.

Moody Loch Oich

From thence through another swing bridge to Fort Augustus for the night.

Top Lock, Fort Augustus

Having escaped the wild headwinds of the Western Isles, we now enjoyed a change of climate, from unseasonably freezing (snow on Ben Nevis) to only cold.  In fact, when the sun came out, we sometimes could manage without full oilskins.  Of course, many of the locals sported t-shirts or shorts (not both) to celebrate the arrival of the Scottish summer.

We motored the 20 miles up Loch Ness, wind dead ahead.  Thankfully the water was quite flat, as it is much easier to spot the monster without waves (and it uses less fuel too).  Nessie is a big feature of the Caledonian Canal.  She is mentioned as part of many business names and boat tours, which is ironic for such a shy creature.  Once again we missed her.

Loch Ness, Luring Nessie (Note: no oilskin jacket)

We made much faster progress through the Caledonian Canal than expected (last time through had been much busier).  In a way it was a pity to rush through so quickly but the locks and bridges were so helpfully prepared and we had our eyes on distant horizons, so on we went.  And so it was that we suddenly found ourselves in Inverness Marina, ready to escape back out to the Moray Firth and the open sea.

Muirtown Bottom Lock and Swing Bridge, Inverness