As we were staying two nights in Fort Augustus, we had another day without rucksacks. We decided to opt for the high route, and without bags we easily managed the long, steep climb up from the lock, with its twists and turns alongside a river: the constant sounds of waterfalls and rapids were delightful! We finally emerged from the woods in the hills above Loch Ness, and the views were wonderful. The path was undulating, with hills covered in purple heather above, and tree clad below. We finally descended into Invermoriston, and had time for a pub lunch before catching a bus back to Fort Augustus.

A Backward Glance

Today we started our walk along Loch Ness, but because of recent attacks from Loch monsters, we had to take a high route several hundred feet above. This meant an early climb, first on road and then good stony wide paths. Eventually when well out of harms way we were permitted good views of Loch Ness and distant mountains beyond its southerly shore. Our route took us past many torrents of water falling down the mountain side through dense forest into the vast Loch below. We didn’t see the monster today, but it’s probably there somewhere, because monsters and dragons are everywhere in this world. To not believe in them is exactly what they want and although believing doesn’t mean we can slay the beasts it does help us to recognise and avoid them. The setting of Loch Ness is stunning and a playground for fighter jets that scream at low level along its length. To me, the sight and sound of them is quite in concord with the majesty of the landscape they fly over. Where else would a young pilot want to fly at over 250 mph? I felt a lot of the path today was through unspoiled (or well managed) mountain wilderness, where purple heather just coming into bloom had taken hold wherever it could. Another enjoyable day that is sadly already being eclipsed by our plans for the next.