Fort Augustus (and Nessie hunting!)

Despite the weather forecast being absolutely dire (with hail forecast in June!!) last weekend, we heeded the Scottish Highland saying of ‘if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes’ and went Nessie hunting on Loch Ness at Fort Augustus. Thankfully we did as we would have missed moments like this.

Scotland really is stunning isn’t it?

Fort Augustus

For those of you are Scottish highland newbies (like me!) Fort Augustus is a small village located at the southern tip of Loch Ness. It sits around halfway up the 62-mile ‘Great Glen’ – the huge valley which runs from Fort William to Inverness and contains a series of lochs, including the famous Loch Ness, all connected by the spectacular Caledonian Canal. Fort Augustus is a rather busy little place, filled with people enjoying the loch cruises and the hard work of the boaters taking their sailing boats up the five canal locks.

We were probably being particularly stubborn (and stupid) that even when we saw the weather forecast we still insisted on camping. Think of it as an all weather practise run for our longer trip around the North Coast 500 later this summer. We stayed at the impeccably clean Cumberland’s Campsite in Fort Augustus, a five-minute walk from the loch and the canal. The site was very well managed, lovely and friendly and with great food in the bar/restaurant. Mmm Mac & Cheese & Chips.

But we were really there for the boats (and Nessie) – and thanks to Cruise Loch Ness we went on both a RIB trip and a more sedate one hour cruise with a sonar talk on the deep and dark depths of Loch Ness. Now, I am a feardy-cat and I’d got myself in knots about going on a fast RIB boat, but to be honest…. it was absolutely BRILLIANT. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done, we just couldn’t stop smiling for hours after we got off. Travelling at 35mph you scoot up Loch Ness from Fort Augustus in no time, stopping occasionally to spot wildlife or to dodge the fast moving rain (and hail!) Thankfully we were well wrapped up in cosy suits and goggles – that wind on the way back was REFRESHING!

The RIB was able to nip us right up the loch to Urquhart Castle, which despite it chucking it down with rain, was still beautiful from the water. I’m being rather brave and standing up here….! But the big question I know you are all asking…