Fort Augustus

We are staying in Fort Augustus, a tiny village on the SW end of Loch Ness. The complex we're staying in started life as an English fort in the 1700's but most of it was blown up by the supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during his futile attempt to win back the crown for the Stuarts. The Moat House, which contains our apartment, is the part of this fort.

In the 1890's, the ruins were given to the Benedictine monks who built an abbey and a school for boys. The order ran out of money in 1999 and in 2004, the buildings were sold and turned into a time share, called the Highland Club.

Our unit is on the 3rd floor overlooking the cloisters and inner quad. John and Von are in the gable garret above us. We suggested that they experience the whole garret ambiance - no heat, no food, no electricity - really suffer and produce some great Art. But they are having none of it and turn up for meals morning, noon and night.

We drove to Inverness today - still a depressing place - but it has a Tesco grocery store. We passed lovely Loch Tarff going and coming. You can see the morning mist pictures and the afternoon sun pictures.

At the edge of the property, there is the smallest lighthouse in the UK, a pepper pot lighthouse. It shows the entrance to the Caledonian canal which connects Loch Ness to the other lochs that run through the Great Glen.

Finish up with some sunset shots over Loch Ness.