Loch Ness Blog

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2010-03-12T21:08:00.001Z

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Chanonry Point dolphin display.

2010-03-05T11:32:00.002Z

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.

2010-02-24T09:47:00.000Z

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.....

2010-02-20T06:38:00.000Z

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.

Reflections in Loch Ness.

2010-02-12T18:25:00.000Z

Witnessed this beautiful sunset reflected in the water of Loch Ness the other evening and we went out to watch the ever changing colours in the sky and in the water. Had thick coats on as it was below freezing but the 'wee dram' clasped tightly in our hands helped keep us warm inside.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

2010-01-29T16:40:00.002Z

The snow which started falling on December 19th finally disappeared last week along with the thick compacted ice underneath and we breathed a huge sigh of relief. We were able to get back to normality after 5 weeks of extreme weather conditions and actually drive our car into Inverness. Unfortunately we did wake up this morning to a white out blizzard and a new layer of snow everywhere...what a nice surprise! Luckily we ordered more peanuts, fat balls and bird seed in the week as delivery vans are now able to drive along the lane to our house once more. This food all arrived very promptly so all the birds have returned for nourishment in this new snowy period. The water in the bird bath has frozen over again due to a very chilly wind from the north making the temperatures feel like -5C. The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is this weekend so should have quite a few bird species to count over a one hour period in this weather.

Thaw beginning

2010-01-16T13:23:00.003Z

After 4 weeks of extreme weather conditions - well below zero temperatures,blizzards,freezing fog,thick ice - the thaw has finally arrived. We have all suffered in some way but also there has been a great feeling of togetherness from friends and neighbours. Some of the scenes have been truly magical but it will be nice to get back to normal. Guests really enjoyed the White Christmas but alot of us had to cancel guests for the New Year due to very bad road conditions.
A prosperous 2010 to all.

Woodpecker rescue.....

2010-01-04T16:33:00.003Z

We were enjoying a nice relaxed breakfast looking at all the birds gently feeding when the great spotted woodpecker descended on the suet ball hanging from the tree near the window. He is always a joy to watch as he is rather large and colourful and not seen very often due to his occasional fleeting visit. Suddenly the predatory sparrowhawk swooped from behind and surprised him and us. The woodpecker crashed into the window and the sparrowhawk flew off to seek another target.Luckily the woodpecker bounced off the glass and landed in the pile of softish snow head first. Quickly donning wellies and a coat I found the stunned bird and attempted to lift him out of the snowdrift. He ungratefully showed his thanks by squawking at me so loudly that I thought gloves would offer me more protection from his sharp long beak. I quickly carried him across to the safety of the bird table and even put the suet ball in reach in case he was hungry.Several birds attempted to land on the table but were quite amazed to find it occupied by a rather unusual species. He was really stunned and we were quite worried although we did see his head move now and again. He sat for a good hour before a big fat blackbird landed and caused him to come to his senses. We were very pleased to see him actually move up the strut of the bird table even though he did attempt to peck at the wooden structure. After a few minutes he flew across to the trees nearby and we breathed a sigh of relief...Woody Woodpecker lives to fight another day.

White Christmas

2009-12-31T11:33:00.002Z

It started snowing on South Loch Ness on Saturday 19th December and we have had flurries and heavy showers ever since, even snowing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was really magical especially as we were watching the Bing Crosby film 'White Christmas' as the snow actually fell giving us and our guests a real White Christmas. Our guests have had to leave their cars at the top of the lane leading down to the holiday cottage as the snow is just under one foot deep. The temperatures are well below zero during the day now with the threat of -10C tonight. Look at the forecast for the Highlands. Beautiful as it is we have not been able to get out in the car since last Tuesday as the driveway is sheet ice and the side roads are treacherous. Birds have been well fed and the deer and red squirrels have turned up now and again. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all who enjoy reading this blog.

Red squirrel in the snow.

2009-12-20T15:33:00.002Z

While we were preparing the cottage on Saturday for our Christmas guests the snow began to swirl and then fall quite thickly. We were very surprised to look out and see a red squirrel on the nut feeder outside the lounge window. The longer he stayed eating the more snow gathered on his bushy tail until he looked a bit like a Christmas decoration but he ignored it and just carried on enjoying his lunch. The red squirrels do not hibernate and need feeding all year round. Enjoy seeing him playing in the snow.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY.

Freezing fog.....

2009-12-13T12:21:00.002Z

Could not see anything out of the windows yesterday morning except a very thick fog which stayed for most of the day. Could just make out the trees in front of the house but no sign of Loch Ness and we felt really cut off. The whole of the east coast had it very bad and Inverness airport was closed for a while due to the extreme foggy weather. At 5pm a mountain rescue team were called out to an area known as the Lost Valley in the Three Sisters in Glencoe in the Highlands to assist two climbers who had foolishly ventured out in these atrocious conditions. Unfortunately one of the climbers had died after falling in the mountainous area and the other is now recovering in Fort William Hospital. Today the fog has lifted slightly and we can see a little more of the loch and Urquhart Castle looming eerily out of the mist on the opposite shore. It will be below freezing all day and promises of -4C tonight. The log fire beckons.

Scenic route home.

2009-12-07T13:55:00.001Z

On our way back from Inverness this morning we took the scenic route home passing by the lochs on the top road, a road which used to be the main route from Inverness to Fort Augustus. This is always a pleasant ride which we never get tired of as there is always something new to see and my camera is always at the ready for snapping birds,wildlife and scenes such as these.

Long tailed tits arrive.

2009-12-04T16:51:00.002Z

Very cold today with freezing fog drifting down the Great Glen from the west. For a few hours in the late morning the fog cleared revealing a clear blue sky with snow still laying on the mountain tops enveloping Loch Ness. We wrapped up warm with the intention of clearing our gutters of debris but found that the leaves in the gutters were actually frozen to the plastic pipes and also the hose was frozen. We had a quick vote and abandoned the idea and decided to wait until the temperature was at least over zero. While we were inside warming up with a special coffee we noticed a flock of long tailed tits arriving on the nut feeders and suet balls...their first appearance this winter. See them in action.

Snow on St Andrew's Day

2009-11-30T14:53:00.001Z

The weather has been turning much chillier lately so we were not surprised to wake up on Sunday morning to see a layer of snow covering the mountains opposite. More snow fell overnight and the temperature today has not risen above 4C with the threat of a freezing -4C tonight.
Today is St Andrew's Day, the patron saint of Scotland, so we will be celebrating tonight by the fire with a few wee drams.... cheers.

Sparrowhawk

2009-11-27T17:41:00.003Z

While we were doing the changeover at the cottage yesterday we noticed this magnificent sparrowhawk sitting in the aspen tree outside the lounge window. He was watching the bird feeders along the fence with anticipation but all the birds had seen him coming and were well away. He stayed for a while and dried himself off by fluffing out his tail feathers. The male sparrowhawk is quite smaller than the female of the species which is rather unusual in animal life.
While we were at the cottage we had arranged for two new bathroom blinds and a new vertical blind to be fitted in the main bedroom. As we were taking down the old fittings in the master bedroom a red squirrel ran along the fence during an interval in the showers and munched away at the peanut feeders. Unfortunately the fitter drew up in his van and this noise was enough to scare away Cyril the squirrel...but at least they are still about.

Spot the Buzzard.

2009-11-19T19:19:00.000Z

Yesterday dawned clear and bright so we went into Inverness to collect a few items. As we were driving back home along the shoreline of Loch Ness a buzzard swooped low in front of the car and quickly disappeared into the woodland. They are unmistakable as they have a wingspan of between 3 to 5 feet depending on their age. A bit further on we passed another one sitting absolutely still in a tree, only spotting him as we drove past. By now I had the camera actually ready and sure enough another buzzard flew across the road and rested on a nearby branch in the forest. He remained absolutely motionless and blended magnificently into the woodland scene with perfect camouflage.

Kincraig Wildlife Park

2009-11-12T17:08:00.003Z

Enjoyed a very good day out at Kincraig Wildlife Park, about 7 miles beyond Aviemore passing the Loch Insh Watersports Centre. Even though it was cold [the temperature was -6C at Aviemore earlier in the morning] with a sharp frost on the ground the park was very busy for the time of year. The new arrivals must have encouraged visitors. These 3 Amur tiger cubs were born earlier in May this year.Also a baby Japanese snow monkey arrived and of course Mercedes the polar bear...who had just been fed and was fast asleep when we saw her. After a drive round the animal reserves we then explored the rest of the Park on foot seeing other animals at close quarters. We enjoyed some much needed hot soup in the restaurant.
For more information visit the Kincraig Wildlife Park website.

Some Pheasant !!

2009-11-10T17:48:00.001Z

Luckily ths type of pheasant does not frequent our garden as it is extremely large and brightly coloured and very likely to scare the local wildlife - as well as us!....and it sits in trees!
We saw this species of pheasant - the Himalayan Pheasant [Satyr Tragopan] - or Crimson Horned Pheasant on our visit to the Kincraig Wildlife Park this week. It lives in the upper cooler reaches of the Himalayan Mountain of India and China at about 10,000 feet making the Highlands seem quite warm ..... more about our visit to follow.....watch this space!!

Berry nice

2009-11-08T13:36:00.001Z

The flock of mistle thrushes have now migrated south after swarming around and gorging on anything tasty for the past week. The last few remaining rowan berries have finally dropped to the ground where they are being devoured mainly by the blackbirds and the odd passing pheasant.

Migrating Mistle Thrushes.

2009-11-04T15:50:00.004Z

Over the last few days we could not fail to notice abnormally large flocks of birds flying about. Some would eventually settle down on the trees around the house,especially on the rowan trees, and on the path loch-side. Anybody walking casually along the front path would trigger this swarm of birds to take off en masse, enough to frighten most folk on a quiet stroll. The birds have been eating the remaining rowan berries left on the trees and generally filling themselves up with any food available, sometimes looking and listening very intently to underground sounds on the grassy front bank.
We did wonder if they were waxwings which would be a sign of a cold winter but on closer inspection we discovered they were mistle thrushes. Apparently some of the Scottish species swarm about in large flocks in late Autumn to gorge themselves and then migrate south, across to Ireland or even to France for the winter. They are also known for their loud song, which we can verify as we could not believe the constant birdsong noise this morning, even though it was raining. Their loud song can be heard during stormy weather hence their alternative name of 'Stormcock'. They came quite near the house in their search for grubs on the front bank and driveway and a few stopped for a splash about in the rain puddles

Scottish Highlander barge.

2009-10-28T10:59:00.003Z

Whatever the weather certain passenger cruise craft have to carry out their business and entertain their guests. During an interval in the recent misty weather we saw the Scottish Highlander barge go up to Urquhart Castle in the afternoon on one of its 7 day cruises.The 117ft long craft travels from Inverness to Fort Augustus on the first day of its cruise where it docks for the night and the entertainment begins. The following day it journeys back up Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle allowing passengers to view the ancient structure at close hand from the loch whilst enjoying drinkies and lunch prepared and cooked by a master chef . By the time the barge returned to Fort Augustus, passing our house en route, the night was beginning to close in and it looked quite magnificent lit up in the darkness. The Scottish Highlander barge caters luxuriously for 8 passengers and cruises along the Great Glen from Inverness to Fort William stopping for day trips to various sites of scenic or historic relevance along the way.

Loch Oich

2009-10-18T13:02:00.002+01:00

On our journey down to Fort William recently we drove alongside Loch Ness for a while and over the mountain passing Loch Tarff. Skirted the village of Fort Augustus at the end of Loch Ness and enjoyed a leisurely journey to Loch Oich noticing all the time that the cloud base was getting lower. We had to stop at the swing bridge which was shut to allow the 'Lord of the Glens' cruise liner to pass through the Caledonian Canal from Loch Ness and onto a very mysterious misty Loch Oich.

2009 Loch Ness Marathon

2009-10-05T15:46:00.004+01:00

We woke up to a clear blue sky this morning which was a welcome change from the rather blustery weather we have been experiencing lately. Very pleased about that as the 2009 Loch Ness Marathon starts at 10 a.m. this morning. Walked up the grass track passing the holiday cottage to the top road to wait for the runners entering the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon this year and to look out for local celebrities...Graeme Ambrose is still up and running and doing well.The race starts at Whitebridge and they run the 26 miles - initially along the south side of Loch Ness, up the punishing undulating uplands beyond Dores and eventually finish in Inverness by the River Ness. One of our guests was entering the Marathon for the first time so we watched and waited with Michelle and their dog Nikita. It was very chilly but great fun and we had some good laughs with the competitors as we tried to keep their spirits up. This year there were 3521 entrants for the Marathon and it was won by Simon Tonui from Birchfield Harriers in Birmingham in 2.20 + 13 secs.

Some chick !

2009-09-25T18:27:00.003+01:00

The windy weather we have been experiencing this week has now begun to subside. Although it has been very breezy with alot of white water on the surface of Loch Ness it has been a warm westerly wind. No doubt the birds are pleased as they were really whirling around on the circular sunflower feeders as well as contending with the predatory sparrowhawk who was doing overtime for his family nearby. This young greenfinch chick was often seen enjoying a drink at the bird bath.

Loch Ness Lifeboat drama.

2009-09-23T11:42:00.003+01:00

This report was forwarded this morning by the RNLI Press Officer for the Loch Ness lifeboat.
"22 September 2009
Gale force winds create Loch drama.
Winds at gale force 8 created atrocious conditions on Loch Ness today, swamping a canoe with six people on board.
Loch Ness RNLI volunteer crew launched just after 1pm on Tuesday 22nd September, to locate a group of holidaymakers from Yorkshire whose nine metre canoe had been flooded by waves during terrible weather conditions,
The canoeists had been able to make for the land but were isolated on a very rough shoreline at the bottom of a steep slope about a mile from the nearest road.
Two of the party set off to to reach an area where either their mobile phones would work or they could use a landline. It was about an hour before they were able to make contact with the Coastguard in Aberdeen via a 999 call.
The RNLI Atlantic 75 rescue boat, led by Helm Stuart Latham, with Drew Taylor and Joy Cameron as crew, headed for a location described as being opposite Invermoriston on the southern shore of the loch.
They came across a group of ten canoeists who had also been forced ashore but had decided to set up camp and ride out the sever weather. This group were tired but willing to fend for themselves for the night.
The missing four canoeists were found approximately 200 metres south of this location and were brought onto the lifeboat after crew member Joy Cameron swam in to the shore to asses the condition of the group.
The lifeboat was forced to stand-off the shoreline as the conditions were so severe. The four people were taken to Foyers and met up with the remaining two. They planned to stay the night in the Foyers area and re-asses the situation in the morning.
Loch Ness RNLI Helm, Stuart Latham, says :'The conditions were awful and required the crew to work very hard and as a team.' 'we often practice in similar conditions to prepare ourselves for events like this.'
The canoe, a bellboat twin hulled craft similar to a catamaran, was left on the shoreline for recovery at a later date.
The whole operation took about two hours and after which the lifeboat was returned to station and prepared for service."