Chanonry Point dolphin display.

Guests staying in our holiday cottage on South Loch Ness Side went to Chanonry Point on the Black Isle where they were lucky enough to see about 15 bottlenose dolphins.
It is one of the best dolphin spotting sites in Europe with a large resident population of bottlenose dolphins.
Chanonry Point is a spit of sand that juts out into a narrow but deep channel of the Moray Firth opposite Fort George. Here different currents converge bringing fish close to the surface and thus the dolphins close to the shore. Prime dolphin spotting time is the hour or so before high tide as the dolphins come in on the tide in their hunt for food.
Bottlenose dolphins are very adept at leaping clear of the water often in unison with other dolphins in their group and can sometimes put on a spectacular display. Although we have been to Chanonry Point several times we have not always been lucky enough to see them as they cannot be guaranteed to show. Even so - there are picnic tables to sit at and enjoy lunch while watching and hoping for them to appear.

Construction works commence on Fort Augustus village improvements.

Construction works commence on Fort Augustus village improvements.
It's nice to see the local authorities recognise that Fort Augustus needs to be kept looking loved!

By the light.....

The snow returned this week and is still lying thickly on the higher ground although it has melted on lower ground . The mountains opposite and the high fields are covered again. It has also been very frosty at night and the freezing temperature continues throughout the day. The clear night sky allows for a good showing of the stars and the silver crescent moon reflected in the water of Loch Ness.