Ruffs Adventures: inverness

Hey there....forgot to show this cute little planter that was on the platform we passed while on the Jacobite ☺☺

and also managed this quick snap while on bus of this man made bridge

INVERMORISTON
(13 miles south of Drumnadrochit)
Remains of a bridge built by Thomas Telford in the early 19th century

Woody mucking around in my backpack

The night before we had a walk hoping to see Aurora Borealis but too many lights

But the Inverness castle looked great

Next day finally on a train, this time to Kyle

Kyle of Lochalsh is a village on the northwest coast of Scotland, 63 miles west of Inverness

It was at least good scenery along the way

snapped a light house

and then bused to this castle, where unfortunately we had very limited time to go inside and look and NO photos allowed inside.......

Eilean Donan Castle, near Dornie, is one of the most easily recognised castles in Scotland and probably appears on more calendars than any other. It is, without any exaggeration, a Scottish icon. It therefore comes as a surprise to discover that although the island has been fortified since at least the Iron Age, the castle you see today was only rebuilt from earlier ruins in the years between 1913 and 1932

It sure looked great

Isn't it incredible how these were built so long ago

looking down the side before going inside

Looking back to where we entered yard area and steps

It was great inside but when I say we needed to more or less run to see it all in time for the bus is and understatement......pity, but we may just drive ourselves back again one day ☺☺

This is called the Isle of Skye and now have a bridge across to the main land

the bus driver stopped so we could get some photos here

nice view around

Bus driver said seals on here, I can pretend I see them lol

Next morning before training from Inverness back to Edinburgh for our final night on this tour we checked out the market area which was closed but good to look around

Yep training it back to the place I like

Happy on the train but tired I guess lol

Woody had the window seat again and loved seeing fast trains fly by

and wee whiskey as he was feeling sad that we would be saying goodbye to Edinburgh tomorrow.....

xoxoxoxoxoxo

As you see here we were off for the day via bus again

another beautiful morning

and even Wood approved of the view

We were driven to Neptunes Staircase where again were a few lochs......but

we were told we would see the Jacobite Steamtrain

The Jacobite is a steam locomotive-hauled tourist train service that operates over part of the West Highland Railway Line in Scotland

and here it comes ☺☺

Wonderful of course

Toot Toot

Lovely engine indeed

Well now back to those Lochs....

boats in waiting to rise up and go through next loch gate

filling up

up they come

I walked to the next loch and they are now again waiting to rise up......

sure makes it a long trip in time lol

anyway goodbye loch

We then had "free time" back in Fort William waiting to go on this little boat.....

Woody enjoying Crannog cruise on Loch Linnhe

A very pleasant cruise (18km round trip) down Loch Linnhe (a tidal sea loch) aboard the Souters Lass. The cruise affords a good opportunity to enjoy some stunning scenery and spot a range of wildlife in a well equipped and comfortable boat.

We sat in this open area for a while but had a lot of engine noise lol

This is the famous Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles which dominates the landscape of Fort William, outdoor capital of the UK. Ben Nevis, or the 'Ben' as it is fondly known locally, sits majestically at the head of Loch Linnhe, its presence obvious from all corners of Fort William and some parts of Lochaber.

Woody made many friends on this tour ☺☺

we saw an eagle eating....

the best I could do with camera

the mirror reflection was really pretty again here

Isn't this one neat

this is where the boats can go through to the Atlantic

Loch Linnhe definition, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, on the W coast of Scotland, leading to the Caledonian Canal

Oh and here I just got the dorsal fin of a porpoise ☺☺

We did see a seal but went under too quick

Lovely time out on the Loch

that evening Woody joined us in the dining room for tea as requested by others on our tour lol

Interesting light in the dining room

This is where our trip became a bit crazy and sure annoying....will fill you in down further....

Woody made friend in the morning with this travelling pal of another couple lol

On a bus......must say we were getting sick of buses as was supposed to be all TRAIN

We should have been able to see Ben Nevis clearly but too misty lol

Can you see Ben Nevis???

Incredible statues

There were many tribute dating way back and up to present day

We then had a stop at Fort Augustus

Lying on the impressive 60 mile long Caledonian Canal, halfway between Inverness and Fort William, Fort Augustus offers spectacular views down Loch Ness and is a paradise for keen walkers and cyclists with many beautiful walks around the area

Plenty of people walking here and another loch lol

my shadow of course

another bridge in the distance

back on the bus and eventually arrived in Inverness for "free time"

Inverness is a city on Scotland’s northeast coast, where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth. It's the largest city and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands

We had a few walks around alongside River Ness

different to Europe where they run you down lol

flowing very fast

So now we have met Faith Hope and Charity

Looking back to our accomodation

Walking another bridge over the river

Now here is the next day.....Travel Marvel advised us that theacobite steam train did not run on the weekends as you can see in print here....BUT....we saw it on Saturday and also Sunday!! So they moved us 2 and half hours away from Fort William where it starts it trip....SO....means today we have the fun of a probable 5 hour BUS ride (return) to then finally ride the steam train....yep, us by 6am and not back at end of day till late.....