Liz and Frank: Lochs, Glens and that Olympic Torch

Before I start this post, Kevin reminded me on my last Post that I was using a new camera, 'tis true. I had a good look at Kevin's camera when we were in South Wales, it was another Panasonic Lumix, only one that basically sits between the Digital SLR's and the smaller cameras - really liked everything about it. Checked it out on Amazon, price certainly less expensive than at home, and just to assist me with that "lack of guilt" feeling, my little Lumix went "belly up" so to speak, so decision was made - it was ordered and sent to Kevin and Margaret, Kev set it up, and away we went - love it, loads of attributes, but right now I am still sitting on "intelligent auto" - one step at a time.

Right it is Saturday, 9th June, and today we plan to drive from Dunoon up - via the Lochs to somewhere - we, well I, thought it would be nice just to find a little place along the way on one of the Lochs to call in and stay at - aim was to be in Thurso at top of Scotland by tomorrow evening.

Our first Loch, was Loch Eck

the reflections were amazing

they even have little sandy beaches in places

"Loch" is a Scottish Gaelic word for lake or fjord

It has been estimated (Wikipedia) that there are at least 31,460 lochs in Scotland,

and more than 7,500 in the Western Isles alone

While Lochs are widespread throughout the country they are most numerous in the Highlands.

We get to Loch Fyne - we had the most gorgeous mussels from there 2 nights ago in Dunoon.

Our first stop was Inveraray Castle - The home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll,

Chief of the Clan Campbell.

We decide not to go into this Castle - just had a look around the outside.

We drove into the town of Inveraray - famous for it's architecture, Castle, Jail and this little bridge above over Lock Fyne.

I thought the War Memorial - The warrior in his kilt - on the edge of Loch Fyne was stunning.

Also a quaint harbour on Loch Fyne.

We head north around Loch Awe,

through quite incredible scenery

farms

glens

and beautiful mountains

Castle ruins

and an operating castle below

Below the bay at Connell, just prior to crossing Loch Etive

Our next stop was the town of Fort William - the town is absolutely packed, I know it has always been a huge tourism town being near Ben Nevis, but this day was ridiculous. We did find parking and walk along to the Visitors centre, only to be told that the Olympic Torch is due through Fort William in about 1 hour, and in fact it will be moving along the A82 to Inverness, the exact same route which we had chosen and also that there was no accommodation anywhere!!. We then try and get out of Fort William - what a traffic jam. We eventually hit the road, now knowing we have the pressure of no accommodation and we have that torch and it's crowds right on our tail.

along Loch Lochy

The Rhododendrums grow wild right through the Loch areas

We are heading toward Speen Bridge

and are starting to get a clear view

of the Nevis Range

and 2 of its favourites - Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor

We stopped here at the Commando Memorial - absolutely wonderful statue dedicated to the British Commandos from WW11. It overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot established at Achnacarry castle in 1942.

The Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge was unveiled by the Queen Mother in 1952. Now this would have been the most spectacular spot to wait and see the torch, however, because Lizzie had not organised accommodation, we could not afford to let that Torch and her escorts get in front of us, so very sadly we had to leave.

We then stopped at Invergarry just south of Loch Ness, (our original plan) only to be told again - absolutely no chance along the A82, and the problem is there is not much off it on this side of Loch Ness. So we drove - checking out every sign on every accommodation outlet - "no vacancy". We of course had to stay ahead of the Police convoy and that Torch, and manoevre our way through the crowds in each town and village - great excitement and patriotism everywhere, just like in 2000 in Australia, but at this stage I don't think we were showing too much of the same enthusiasm!!.

We drove alongside Loch Ness - lovely

It was now 6.30 pm, maybe our sense of humour had floated out the car window, and I was quite annoyed with myself that I had not pre booked any accommodation!

We had turned off the A82 just north of Lewiston, south of Inverness, and when driving through "Muir of Ord" we noticed a Pub which had a "vacancy" sign.

I have to tell you this Pub didn't look too great, but we stopped. Yes, they had a room, and we could eat dinner there. We so very happily unloaded, and went straight to the Restaurant - which was filling up, as was the Hotel. It seemed there were a few other stranded travellers on this road. the A82, including another couple of Australians, and all of a sudden this Pub was full - restaurant and accommodation. The food was very good, the atmosphere warm, the room was clean and the new Owners/Managers were great - so we were safe and certainly happy again.

*****

A Map of that Torch's movements today.

Found some nice shots of the A82's big day with the Olympic Torch

Above a mountain biker road along the heady heights of the Nevis Range

In a gondola above at Nevis Range Mountain Ski Resort

Changing runners at Loch Lomond

That green monster from Loch Ness even got into the event

The torch makes it way onto Loch Ness!

******

The map below shows the route we took yesterday (red straight line) and the route we will take today to Thurso at the very top of Scotland (red dotted line).

After a very hearty breakfast and a good chat to the 2 Aussie girls, who gave us great info on the Orkneys - where they had just come from, we hit the road.

The scenery is so different compared to yesterday's drive

Wild coast - piles of gorse in yellow flower

coastline pastures

and yes another Castle

This is Dunbeath flying the Scottish flag

A couple of stags enjoying life on the edge of the Sea

We arrive in Thurso and looked for our Hotel - I had booked into the Pentland Lodge, when we drove into town we spotted the Pentland Hotel - seedy it looked, I checked my records and I had not given a credit card number to hold this room, so we decided to go to the Visitors Centre to find something else (then I would just email this Hotel to cancel). To be honest most of them didn't look too good, then she said if you would like a nice B and B, why not try the Pentland Lodge House - penny dropped that is what I had booked - 2 places in town with the same name!!! We drove around to this B and B, they gave us the best room we have had on the whole trip - lovely views over Thurso Bay - just everything we could've wanted, snacks, staff so friendly and even excellent WiFi.

We then decided to go for a walk to find somewhere to have a late lunch - Sunday in Thurso is very quiet, but we found the only open Pub (recommended by the B and B) and had a lovely large Pasta - followed this with a nice walk around town.