Scotland - Day 8 Loch Ness

We were up early to a morning of glorious sunshine. And it was to remain crystal clear all day long. By far the best day we've had.

After another hearty breakfast (James tucked in to cereal, croissant, fruit, yoghurt, some cold cuts, and cheese!) we were on the road following River Ness out of Inverness on the way to Castle Urquhart.

Its only about a 20 minute drive so we stopped of at Lochend - the first town at the start (end?) of the Loch. We decended a short distance from the car park to the water's edge. Everyone had their eyes peeled for monsters (we told James is a dinosaur). No sign yet!

Dipping my hand into the water it was cool - but not cold. Now had the sun not been out or if you'd jump in I'm sure the opinion would change.

The views of Loch Ness and the steep ravines either side are amazing. I've read that there is more water in this Loch and in all of England and Wales combined. The Loch itself is located on a major fault line and has been further carved and deepened by glaciers.

Just as we were turning to leave we heard a rumble. Looking up we saw a Tornado (British fighter bomber a little similar to our F-111) making its way down the Loch at low altitude. It turned, climbed and disappeared over the moutains. I certainly got a thrill. And to boot, it was one of three we saw today!

Back in the car we continued our way to Urquhart Castle. We arrived about 10:30am and decided to do the tour. It turned out to be excellent value. The visit starts with an introductory movie presentation that summarises the history of the Castle from around AD580 to its demise in 1692. And at the end of the presentation a set of curtains withdraw to reveal the castle against the backdrop of the Loch.

The first documented evidence of the site was in AD580 when St Columba, who founded the monastery on Iona in Argyllshireand on a misison to bring Christianity to the Picts, came across a Pict tribal leader on the site. However, the first castle was not build until the early 13th century when King Alexander II granted the lordship of Urquhart to the powerful Durward family.

The castle also served as home to nobles and over the years was expanded and improved. It included a Great Hall, kitchens, smithy, cellars, and various rooms used as lodging.

The castle met its demise in 1692 at a time when many nobles were deserting their castles for more comfortable residences. Following a raid where looting robbed the castle of most of its contents its resident noble - Lady Mary Grant - left. Whilst soldiers remained, they eventually marched out following the Jacobite's final defeat. Upon leaving, they packed the castle with kegs of dynamite and blew it up; making certain it would not be used again.

Ok - enough with the history. We certainly enjoyed walking the castle grounds. James seemed to revel in the freedom and ran around and around. We climbed up the Grant Tower for more spectacular views. James particularly enjoyed climbing the walls and sitting on the carved stone balls used by the catapult on display.

We finished up about 12pm and had a relaxing lunch in the sunshine at the cafe. Although not really hungry after our large breakfast we did enjoy the view as we sat overlooking the castle. Merrilyn ducked inside and bought a few little items. I had seen a Loch Ness children's book I wanted to get for James. But after the hordes of tourists descended at about lunch time it had sold out. James was happy anyway. He loves those displays at the information centres where there is a model with lights. You press a button and it lights light. You know the ones. With lots of buttons. And lights... Need I say more :)

After lunch we followed a tip by Angela - our hostess - and headed for a beach at Rosemarkie on Black Isle just north of Inverness. To our surprise we found our first sand beach. We had borrowed some buckets and a spade and presented these to James to his delight. So there we were, on the beach, with lovely warm sun beating down, digging in the sand, in Scotland! We were in no hurry to leave and spent maybe an hour and a half.

When it was time to leave Merrilyn took James to the water's edge to wash his feet and hands. And of course the buckets. As she was busy with James a wave came ashore and the buckets got sucked in. Fortunately they didn't go too far and Merrilyn was able to quickly rescue them. Well - almost all of them. One was a little too far out. Luckily a little boy had just received a net on a long handle as a present and was "fishing" next to her. Borrowing the net Merrilyn was able to scoop out the last bucket.

From there we looped to the north of the Black Isle to Cromarty Forth. This is a natural deep water harbour. We left the car for a walk hoping to find another sand beach. Not to be. As we drove back out we saw an oil rig floating in the Forth. Apparently these are a common site as this is where maintenance is performed. Well - you don't often see these in Port Phillip Bay!

We arrived back at the B&B at 4pm. James is happily playing with Angela's two other children. Both boys. Matthew is three and James was very keen to play with him today. On the way home we said he'd very much like to play back at the hotel. After posting this blog we'll be out for dinner.