Scottish September – Day 3

Good Morning Inverness!!!

What a forecasting method!!!

Entering Loch Ness

Day 3 started with a tour to Loch Ness. A long, deep freshwater lake of nearly 40 km in length. It is known for the sightings of the Loch Ness monster Nessie. Most of the boats are fitted with a SONAR machine to keep checking for Nessie Sightings. How I wished we could spot her when we took the boat ride!!!

During the entire ride the only thing I remember is the soothing silence, the whispering winds and the Scottish music playing in background on the boat. Whenever I have a troubled mind all I need to do is go back on the Loch Ness boat and recall the moment. It calms me within few minutes.A few pictures of Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle overlooking the Loch. The castle is in ruins now but looking at it one can imagine a lot of stories untold.

Loch Ness

Urquhart Castle Ruins

From Loch Ness our next stop was The Commando Memorial dedicated to the world war 2 British Commando forces.
The monument consists of a bronze sculpture of three Commandos standing on stone plinth in their war uniforms with cap comforter, webbing and rifle. “United we conquer” is inscribed around the top of the stone plinth. I don’t recall who the solders are but I remember they are shown to be looking at Ben Nevis – the highest Munroe in Scotland.

Commando Memorial

There is also a Garden on Remembrance. One can also see photos and flowers for those who have died in recent conflicts. It was a touching site.

We had lunch at Fort Augustus and proceeded towards Ben Nevis. On the way to it Heather told us the story of the MacDonald Clan massacre. I don’t recall the exact details now of what lead to this massacre but a drive through the mountains makes one realize how shattering it must have been for the clan to travel in the mountains during cold winter and then be betrayed by the people they trusted their lives with. Children and women were also killed in the massacre. 🙁

The mountains make one realize how small our lives are when we compare them with the vastness of the nature and the history it has witnessed over thousands of years.
It makes on think about looking at the bigger picture of life and the people we cherish.

Enroute to Ben Nevis

Bridge – Seems like the one used in HP movies

From Ben Nevis we returned to Edinburgh. Having done one of the best guided tours in my life I found it difficult to say goodbye to the tour friends and Heather. Warm hugs and few pictures later we all parted our ways having the most wonderful memories of our lifetime.

The Kelpies

Chuck Norris Certified

We checked in at the hostel we had booked and I must say it was the again a very unique experience of my life. To start with the hostel was Chuck Norris certified. I asked the reception guy what he meant and he said Chuck Norris had stayed there and had recommended 🙂 Do watch his movies if you get hold of them, they are a treat to the eyes.

Our roommates were from China, Germany and France!!! Students who had come there to study. We chatted away exchanging a lot of who, when, where, why, what and hows 🙂
It’s a mind opening experience to meet and talk with multi nationality folks. Try it every now and then to gauge where you are.

We had a walk on the Royal Mile followed by a nice couple dinner in a local pub playing soft ballads. I was not aware that day 4 was going to bring me a pleasant surprise by my friend KM I hadn’t dreamed ever! He had given me a hint but I didn’t expect what I saw 🙂