Once again global warming is on our side, our first 24 hours on Loch Ness have been glorious, our first couple of nights are in a loch side B&B on the south bank in Dores.

The place is great and the views are spectacular.


Dores is in a state of shock, this tiny village (one pub, one post office & a dozen or so B&Bs) has just hosted Rock Ness. Thirtythree thousand revellers have just snuck out like a drunken one night stand leaving sleepy Dores to clean up the mess! We leave them to it & head out in search of Nessie.

First stop is Foyers and a walk through the forested valley side, well maintained paths lead us to various 'waterfall viewing points' but in truth the magnificent Victoria Falls is still fresh in our memories and as nice as this is it just can't compete. St Augustus at the lake's south west end is picturesque, has Scotland's largest canal vertical drop through 6 consecutive locks and unless you feel the need for a pub lunch shared with hoards of coach parties is not worth the stop. We head round the north shore in search of a quiter spot and take an hours boat trip taking in Urquhart Castle and fine views all round.

Finally a walk out from the B&B past the pub and along the loch's only beach, this certainly is a beautiful area and once again we have brought the sunny weather with us. Another great meal in the Dores Inn topped off the day nicely, tomorrow we head another 100 miles further north to Durness which means the sunset will be even later than the 11pm it is here!