The weather forecast was promising so we tried to get tickets for the"Jacobite" steam train. There were only separate seats available in different coaches so we made a reservation for the following day. This meant we would implement Plan B - Loch Ness!

The A82 takes you from Fort William up through the glens and alongside Loch Ness. We drive to Fort Augustus which is the very southern tip of the loch. We were in time to see a number of boats using the five lock system to traverse between Loch Ness and a loch to the south. We got some good advice from the visitor center and purchased sandwiches in town to eat at a scenic spot along the way. They also recommended following the B roads on the other side of the loch because the views are better.

The B road climbs steeply out of Fort Augustus to a viewpoint where you can see mountains and glens all around you. The clouds were starting to lift and some of the summits were visible. From there, the ribbon thin road plunges down into a valley and then rises back up at Foyers. We parked at the top of the hill and followed a path down to see Foyers Falls. You can view the falls from upper and lower vantage points. We went down to the lower and had a great view of the water pouring over the edge and crashing into the basin below. We tracked back to the upper viewpoint and had it all to ourselves - a perfect lunch spot.

After lunch we continued along the B road as it plunged down to Loch Ness. For the most part, the B roads are single lane roads with small turnouts every few hundred meters so that vehicles can yield to oncoming traffic. It is quite a skill to see around corners and over hilltops so an not to cause a collision. The road itself is generally in good condition and everyone seems to scream along it like banshees.

The road hugs the eastern shore of Loch Ness and affords some spectacular views. The further along we drove, the nicer the weather became. Finally the sun broke through and we spent some time right ont eh shores of the loch. The water looks black and one can understand how so many people have claimed to see Nessie. Every rock and wake looks as if it might be alive. Mountains surround the loch and they were brilliantly lit by the peaking afternoon sun.

We took the higher B road back to Fort Augustus. It wound us through very small towns and fairly large sheep farms. The views were mostly of mountains and we enjoyed the high road. Once back at Fort Augustus, we rejoined the A82 and returned to our base camp.

Hotel: Alexandra Hotel
Restaurant(s): Grog and Gruel (Pub)
Attractions: Loch Ness and the Great Glen, Fort Augustus, Caledonian Canal, Fort William, Loch Lochy, Foyers Falls