Loch Ness Express suspended.....

We have been informed by the Loch Ness Partnership Tourist Group that the Loch Ness Express boat service has suspended all services until further notice. At this stage we do not know if the service will resume or not. Will keep you posted.

Sparrowhawk

Watched in amazement as a large sparrowhawk landed in the tree outside the lounge window...what a sight. Needless to say all the smaller birds quickly disappeared.

Weekend water craft

Had a weekend of showers broken up by the occasional bright spell but the changeable weather didn't deter the hardy boating life. Apart from the usual hired cruisers and yachts we saw some different craft taking advantage of the waters of Loch Ness. This large private cruiser glided past Aspenwood on the calm water on Saturday and we could just imagine guests having cool drinkies on the decking and enjoying the start of their holiday. On Sunday the waters were choppier with white peaks and not so pleasant for this working trawler traversing Loch Ness from the west coast to Inverness - no drinkies allowed for this crew! This adventurous chap had his hands full steering his canoe along the loch and dealing with the hazards of the waves and wash from other bigger boats. Glad to see he was wearing a life preserver. If anyone deserves a drink - he does!

Fort Augustus

Drove over on the top road to Fort Augustus intending to park and walk casually along the Caledonian Canal looking at the various boating craft. Fort Augustus was very,very busy with people sitting out by the canal bank in the sunshine and others walking about and pointing cameras everywhere. Caught a glimpse of some very tall masted yachts waiting between the lock gates to be let out onto Loch Ness. The road is also a swing bridge so everything stops for the tall boats to come through.The car parks were full so we drove out of the village and turned left to the lesser known Auchterawe Woods. Went for a relaxing circular walk breathing in the lovely fresh air and had the woods to ourselves. Spotted clumps of early flowering heather under the trees - usually abundant on the hillsides during the month of September.
Sitting out in the evening after dinner we saw three osprey circling high overhead, possibly the parents with a youngster. The young have to learn to fly rather quickly as they make the long journey back to Africa at the end of this month and we will not see them again until next April.