Loch Ness

On Saturday, despite inviting fellow cyclists to join us, John, Joan and I went out on our own to cycle round Loch Ness. The day was beautiful and the humour was good. Even though we were late in starting out. (Joan is used to waiting for the late Bruces!) We followed the towpath to just beyond Dochgarroch where it ended, where we had to take the A82 to Drumnadrochit. For that part of the journey (10 miles approx) over 100 cars passed us, which is incredible, because it was relatively quiet and much more traffic coming towards us! We had our coffee break in Drumnadrochit and then went on to Fort Augustus, where we stopped and had our lunch and a drink, by the canal locks. The next part of the challenge was the long relentless climb up towards Whitebridge. It really is hard work, but well worth it when you get to the top and see the spectacular scenery. Also the people you meet along the way. One chap from New Zealand had been cycling for 6 weeks! He'd set out from London, along the south coast, did Land's End to John O'Groats and this was him meandering back down, though he di say that part of his return journey was goig to include the train. He was enjoying the downward sweep to Fort Augustus while we had stopped to take breath on the uphill. We stopped at the Loch Mhor gallery, which was run by a couple, in their home. The photography was the work of the husband and the paintings were the work of his wife, both very talented in their individual fields. Well worth a return visit! From there we went to Errogie where we turned down to Inverfarigaig and followed the Lochside (being blown a bit) along to Dores, I hav to say I didn't really enjoy that part of the cycle as it was monotonous and very undulating, However we stopped in at the Dores Inn to have a drink. Then it was just the short (8 miles) ride home. In Inverness we treated ourselves to a jacuzzi, in the Palace, to ease aching limbs, it really was very welcome! The round trip was 68 miles, which will be about our longest distance in September.