Fort Augustus
Scotland is noted for its constantly changing and unpredictable weather. Today was just such a day. Early morning kayaking was cancelled due to heavy rain and increasing winds but the ship set off on time nonetheless and meandered through the very scenic ‘Laggan Avenue’, a man-made section of the Caledonian Canal that sits high above the natural landscape below, en route for Fort Augustus.
When we got to Kilochy Locks the weather had changed dramatically with the rain and wind subsiding and the sun peeking through the curtains of cloud. Several trusting members of our group stepped gingerly ashore as the ship reached the level of the lockside. From here it was either a two and a half mile walk to the next set of locks at Kytra or a five mile walk to the little town of Fort Augustus. Those of us who remained on board continued to enjoy the tranquil scenery that drifted slowly by as the Lord of the Glens moved steadily towards Fort Augustus. At Kytra Locks a large number of us were encouraged to step from the ship due to the increasingly clearing skies and steadily warming sunshine and boldly stride the tow-path to Fort Augustus.
By mid-day we were alongside in the village at the top of the five-lock ladder that leads down to Loch Ness where we had to wait until the next locking that would take place at 13:00. By now our two groups of walkers had reached the moored ship and we enjoyed lunch on board as the rain made a heavy, although temporary, return.
The only organized event for the afternoon was a walking tour of this ancient town lead by Steve and Konia. For such a small place it has an impressively lengthy history, having been founded in the 6th century by a monk from Iona, right through until the Jacobite uprisings of the 17th and 18th centuries and the eventual coming of the Caledonian Canal in the early 1800s.
Fortunately the rain dispersed, the sunshine returned and the evening was spent enjoying the glorious view of Loch Ness from our mooring right at the edge of this loch, the home of the legendary beast affectionately known as Nessie. Would we see her tonight? Perhaps tomorrow as we ply the waters towards Inverness. . . ?
