Great Glen Again


Loch Ness to Windward

After our struggle against the wind in Loch Ness, the rugged mountains growing around us, we were lucky to run out of gas in Fort Augustus.  This needs an explanation!  I switched over to the spare bottle of Camping Gaz, bought in the Shetland Isles (standard sealed bottle, reputable supplier) and it was filled with a semi-flammable gas that hardly burnt and produced a strange, bad smell.  The lucky part was that the local hardware shop supplied replacements and I left them with the dodgy bottle, note attached, asking the refilling plant for my money back.  I doubt that I'll hear from them.  Very strange but both new bottles have been tested and work fine.

Good news:  It seems that Calor have reversed their decision to stop supplying 4.5 kg refills, so we can go back to them again (Camping Gaz are only 2.7 kg, don't last as long and cost much more).

Top of the Lock Staircase, Fort Augustus

After impressing the tourists by the locks in Fort Augustus ("wow, you've come all the way from England!" and "why are you going up or down?") we pottered on through swing bridges and locks and the very pretty Loch Oich.  This is the top of the canal, it's all downhill from here.

Boat Project - Loch Oich


Waiting Pontoon for Laggan Swing Bridge

The wind, as usual, was from ahead and very variable in strength but it was dry for the whole trip, which was lovely.

Glass Canal

We moored for the night just above Laggan Lock, to take advantage of the famous (around here, anyway) "Eagle - The Inn on the Water" which is a pub and restaurant in an old steel barge.

"Rapport" at Laggan Lock, "Eagle" Opposite

Our evening on the barge did not disappoint us.  We had a lovely time with a couple of Parisian thespians (travelling in a van), a Dutch walker (travelling with a tent) and assorted boating folk.  The bar food was good but since it was very windy next day (45 knots from ahead) we stayed another night and went back to try the restaurant.  It's important to contribute to the local economy.

In the Eagle Inn

I wanted to thank the chef for a delicious meal but that was not possible, the way was blocked, so I passed on my compliments to his partner, who runs front of house.  She was so busy at times that she literally did run.

Friendly Guard Dog (hopefully)





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