In search of Nessie
Posted 21.June, back dated to be in chronological order.
Knowing we can't visit Scotland and miss out on the Loch Ness Monster, we made our way to Inverness (campground at Culloden Moor). Had I known how much we would fall in love with the highlands, I would have planned to stay longer. There's so much in this area, 3-days simply wasn't enough.
This region of Scotland is very spread out and our luck with public transit ran out in a big way. The bus to our campground ran only every 2-hours to Inverness and there are massive changes in the bus operators resulting in confusing time scales and fees. For instance, the 1-day pass cost the same as the 7-day rider. But unlike other regions of the UK, the passes only cover Inverness; not the surrounding region.
We gave up and rented a car for the 3-days. At £38 per day, it was a bargain for saving the hassle of bus transit in this area.
First stop: Loch Ness.
Our drive started from Inverness and off we went, in search of Nessie. Loch Ness itself is 23 miles in length and about 700 feet deep in the deepest waters. There are several pull outs on the road, so we tourists can stop and read all about the history and take a look for Nessie. The girls loved this - gave them something to occupy their imaginations for the day.
The girls & I enjoying a vista of Loch Ness
Loch Ness Exhibition Center - we stopped here as it was the first as we entered Drumnadrochit. It was a bit cheesy but informative all the same, helping to explain what could have, might have, and can exist in the lake. We learned a bit about the mystery of the "monster" and the studies conducted to date in search of evidence. I think the gift shop was the best - full of little green (and one very large) monsters. It was hard not to buy anything.
Off to the tourist trap of the day
Fake Nessie at the Loch Ness Exhibition Center
Urquhart Castle - Just around the bend stands Urquhart Castle - a scenic ruin with commanding views of Loch Ness. We were granted free admission, thanks to our English Heritage membership. I can't do the history of this site enough justice - I recommend relying on the Wikipedia article or the Scottish Heritage information (sorry to my ex-colleagues, but Encarta didn't have an entry for the castle). Suffice it to say it's believed a fort may have been on this site as early as 600 AD with known records of the current site dating back to the 1200's.
This is a must-see in my book - the views and atmosphere are so pleasant. I wished we had a picnic basket to just hang out on the lawns a bit longer and soak in the landscape.
View of Urquhart Castle upon entering the site
Dan & girls waiting for me at the top
Love it!
Amazing trebuchet
Knowing we can't visit Scotland and miss out on the Loch Ness Monster, we made our way to Inverness (campground at Culloden Moor). Had I known how much we would fall in love with the highlands, I would have planned to stay longer. There's so much in this area, 3-days simply wasn't enough.
This region of Scotland is very spread out and our luck with public transit ran out in a big way. The bus to our campground ran only every 2-hours to Inverness and there are massive changes in the bus operators resulting in confusing time scales and fees. For instance, the 1-day pass cost the same as the 7-day rider. But unlike other regions of the UK, the passes only cover Inverness; not the surrounding region.
We gave up and rented a car for the 3-days. At £38 per day, it was a bargain for saving the hassle of bus transit in this area.
First stop: Loch Ness.
Our drive started from Inverness and off we went, in search of Nessie. Loch Ness itself is 23 miles in length and about 700 feet deep in the deepest waters. There are several pull outs on the road, so we tourists can stop and read all about the history and take a look for Nessie. The girls loved this - gave them something to occupy their imaginations for the day.
The girls & I enjoying a vista of Loch Ness
Loch Ness Exhibition Center - we stopped here as it was the first as we entered Drumnadrochit. It was a bit cheesy but informative all the same, helping to explain what could have, might have, and can exist in the lake. We learned a bit about the mystery of the "monster" and the studies conducted to date in search of evidence. I think the gift shop was the best - full of little green (and one very large) monsters. It was hard not to buy anything.
Off to the tourist trap of the day
Fake Nessie at the Loch Ness Exhibition Center
Urquhart Castle - Just around the bend stands Urquhart Castle - a scenic ruin with commanding views of Loch Ness. We were granted free admission, thanks to our English Heritage membership. I can't do the history of this site enough justice - I recommend relying on the Wikipedia article or the Scottish Heritage information (sorry to my ex-colleagues, but Encarta didn't have an entry for the castle). Suffice it to say it's believed a fort may have been on this site as early as 600 AD with known records of the current site dating back to the 1200's.
This is a must-see in my book - the views and atmosphere are so pleasant. I wished we had a picnic basket to just hang out on the lawns a bit longer and soak in the landscape.
View of Urquhart Castle upon entering the site
Dan & girls waiting for me at the top
Love it!
Amazing trebuchet
Can't forget the Knicker Bocker Glory! We had read about it in a Paddington Bear book but didn't know what it was. Couldn't resist ordering it when we finally saw it on the menu at Castle Restaurant in Inverness. The picture tells the rest of the story:
Ciao!
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