Today we are indeed touring the Loch Ness area, ending with a boat tour from the northern end of the loch down to Urquhart Castle.
On the way to the Fort Augustus stop at the south end of the loch, our driver made yet another unscheduled stop, at a lovely stream and waterfall:
A rural mailbox
A short video clip of the rushing water:
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| The bridge overlooking the falls |
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| Some succulent-looking holly |
Coming into Fort Augustus we crossed the Caledonian canal, a popular cruising route:
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| The Canal, and a tour boat |
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| The Clansman Centre, where we'd have a historical presentation |
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| Our bus driver Colin, and the historical presenter |
Inside, the Clansman Centre is well equipped with clan artifacts, set up to resemble a croft house (although I'd imagine most crofts weren't quite this well equipped):
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One of our tour members, another Gord, was "volunteered" to get wrapped up in a traditional kilt, quite different from the modern skirt-like portrayal. Gord is likely about 6 ft 5:
And for equal time, he was dressed up as a typical crofter woman might have been:
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| No fancy colourful tartan for the ladies |
After the Clansman presentation it was time to head back north to the top of Loch Ness to board our tour boat near Dochgarroch. First we were treated to an ice cream at Miele's Gelateria:
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| Lots of people enjoying the beautiful day |
The canal that would lead our tour boat down to Loch Ness:
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| A cute private touring boat |
There are some pretty nice places (some are historical estates) along the shores of Loch Ness:
At Urqhart Castle we disembarked for a tour of the castle, while keeping a close eye out for Nessie in the waters:
Urqhart Castle ruins 
Our tour boat 
The hairy guard coo?
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| A beautiful spot on a beautiful day |
After we finished our castle tour it was back on the bus, heading to our Drumnadrochit hotel. We saw a lot of the east side of Loch Ness today.
Some energetic people toured some nearby bars etc. We're missing our afternoon naps though, so stuck to our room except for dinner.
Day 8 & 9 looked very familiar!!! Been there 2 years ago this month!! Sheila
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