Looking for Nessie

You can't go to Scotland and not visit Loch Ness, the hiding place of the famous Loch Ness Monster. Our task for the day was to either catch a glimpse of her or at the very least find out if she even exists. We started the day with a boat tour of the lake with the local boat owner gave us a run down on all things Loch Ness, from the reason the water was so dark, the depth and temperature to the myths surrounding Nessie. The view of the surrounding area was fantastic from the centre of the Loch and we got a free view of the crumbling remains of Urquhart Catle on the Loch's bank.

01 - Nessie Backpackers

After the boat ride we headed to the Official Loch Ness centre to learn more about Nessie. It showed the investigations into Nessie sightings and presented a scientific approach to the possible cause of the monster; fact or fiction? Unfortunately it gave strong arguments both for and against the existence of an underwater creature and we walked away with no idea if it were all true or if it is in fact just a longstanding hoax.

02 - On Loch Ness

We headed down the road for the quickest leg of the trip so far to Inverness. That night they were holding the Inverness Tattoo. As Rick and Megan were not going to the Edinburgh Tattoo (lucky David and Glenys were) they decided to check out this one. It was a really enjoyable evening where they watched many a Scottish marching band and numerous dancers. The highlight was the White helmets Motorcycle Display team, the Golden Lions Parachute Team and when the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, the Highland Gunners let off a dummy round. We both jumped a mile when it went off. To finish off the night both the Scottish bands played and the Cadet Service Guard of Honour paraded around. There was a Lone Piper and finally they played God Save the Queen with everyone standing (though people weren't singing that much as we were in Scotland not England). Walking back to the loft room we had in the guesthouse we saw the Inverness Castle all lit up.

03 - Loch Ness

04 - Depth Sounder

05 - Urquhart Castle

06 - Golden Lions

07 - Highland Dancers

08 - Motorcycle Display

09 - Motorcycle Display

10 - Scottish Band

11 - Highland Gunners

12 - Inverness Castle