Scotland 2011 Pictures Page 4


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Photos Friday 16th September 2011 - Day 4

By 9am we had checked out from the Distillery Guesthouse. We drove up the A82, past Loch Lochy and Loch Oich, to Loch Ness. In Fort Augustus we had a long wait as the bridge had opened for high masted boats to pass through. Eventually we got moving again. We drove along Loch Ness, stopping briefly in Invermoriston to rest then again at a good lookout point just south of Drumnadrochit. At Drumnadrochit we stopped at a gift shop and for comfort breaks before heading West to Cannich and up the single track road into Glen Affric. The landscape was as lovely as ever despite the grey conditions. We carried on all the way to the far end of Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin.


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Driving Northeast on the A82 past Loch Lochy. Carrying on along the West bank of Loch Ness. A nice view point of Loch Ness at Achnahannet, a few miles South of Drumnadrochit.

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Renée at Achnahannet, Loch Ness. Drumnadrochit where we stopped for a break and for gifts. Driving Southwest along a single track road from Cannich into Glen Affric alongside Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin.

At the end of the road under darkening skies we parked in the car park and walked the River Affric Short Walks. We had a lovely walk alongside River Affric which led us round to some nice waterfalls. As we looked at the waterfalls it started to rain lightly though. We carried on around to complete the circuit back to the car park, stopping at a lovely view point near the end. Then before we retreated East we went up some steps to another viewpoint on top of a hill which gave us a beautiful view of Loch Affric further up the Glen. By now the rain was getting heavier so we retreated back to the car.

Clips of the River Affric rapids are compiled into a You Tube video. Click here to view the video.


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Looking Eastwards to the Westward end of Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin as we start walking. Mushrooms. The lovely woodland of Glen Affric. Renée with Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin in the background and up a staircase on the path. Another view to Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin.

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The River Affric, just upstream of Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin and just downstream of Loch Affric. Renée under a big prominent tree and enjoying the River Affric walk. Mike at a series of waterfalls on the River Affric.

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More waterfall and rapids pictures. Panorama from a view point near the car park.

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Renée doing a bit of benching near the viewpoint. Mike and Renée above the River Affric. Climbing up to an upper view point on a hill top as the weather deteriorates. 180 degree panorama from Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin downstream to Loch Affric upstream.

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A zoom shot of the Eastern end of Loch Affric.

Driving back East it was now rather wet. We crossed over the river just West of Cannich and then went to Plodda Falls, although not before a mild argument over whether to go and how much to walk. We compromised, and just visited the waterfall instead of the whole walk. The last mile or so was a very muddy track in the rain and made the car filthy. On arrival we did find the car park closed for works with keep out signs. I almost turned around but spoke to a workman who said to park in a nearby muddy lay-by and allowed us through. It was worth it indeed! Renée stayed up top on the viewpoint while I raced down to the bottom and back for pictures.

Clips of the Plodda Falls are compiled into a You Tube video. Click here to view the video.


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Walking along the path to Plodda Falls. A smaller waterfall upstream of the main falls. A tree covered in fungi. Another view of the smaller upstream waterfall. Plodda Falls in all its glory from the new upper platform.

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Renée on the upper platform as I go down to the lower view point. Yes the rain was pouring down while we were here. But the landscape is beautiful in all weathers. Vertical panorama of Plodda Falls.

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Collage style panorama of additional waterfalls below the main falls. Another panorama from the top platform as patches of low cloud and mist start to add further atmosphere to the place.

After extracting ourselves we stopped in Tomich for tea before going to Inverness via the A831/A833/A832. The A833 was a delightful romp Northwards over the hills from Milton towards Beauly. Then the A832 led us Eastwards alongside the Beauly Firth and then straight to Roseneath BnB by about 3:15pm.


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It was so nice to get back to tarmac after a very muddy drive along a wet gravel road. 360 degree panorama of Tomich. The way to Plodda Falls in the centre, the way back to civilisation to the left. The Tomich Hotel where we stopped for tea.

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A post office across the road. The Tomich Hotel bar. Renée enjoying a nice warm hot chocolate after being out in the rain. Driving up over the hills on the A833 to get us to the Beauly Firth.

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Driving East on the A862 alongside the Beauly Firth. Across the other side is the town of Redcastle. Up ahead the A9 Kessock Bridge over the Moray Firth looms large. Inverness isn't far away now. A boat at the Eastern end of the Caledonian Canal where it empties into the Beauly Firth. A far cry from the Fort William / Corpach end where it empties into Loch Linnhe.

After checking in and a short rest we went for a walk around Inverness town centre. Renée was more in her element in town with big shops to look in. After a while looking around we both got weary and decided to eat early at Jimmy Chungs Chinese buffet. We both had a nice meal.


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Roseneath Guest House. Looking Northeast along Greig Street from the BnB to the footbridge. The footbridge. Look how high the River Ness is. Right up onto the grass banks. The Kitchen restaurant has a cool looking building housing it.

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360 degree panorama from Huntly Street close to the B651 Young Street bridge. Looking downstream along Ness Walk from the Young Street bridge. .Looking downstream from half way across the Young Street bridge. Again noting how high the river is.

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Looking up the High Street. Looking North and South on the pedestrianised part of the High Street. The Eastgate shopping centre. Is this the most northerly shopping centre in the country? A small corner of Inverness with a continental feel to it. Inverness train station. Admittedly none too special looking from the outside.

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St. Mary's Catholic Church and its buttresses on Huntly Street seen from the other side of the river on Bank Street. Looking back across the bridge towards Greig Street. Panorama of the view from Jimmy Cheung's restaurant near the Bank Street / Young Streat bridge junction. Inverness Castle.

Then we returned over the footbridge to the BnB to retire for the night.


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