CALLS are being made for the police to take seriously reports of a big Black Cat roaming the hills above Loch Ness.

Residents believe the creature has already attacked animals and there are fears a person could be next.

Leading the campaign for action is senior Highland Councillor Margaret Davidson who believes recent incidents on the northern side of Loch Ness are credible.

The council’s unshakable housing and social work chairwoman first became aware of attacks on a dog and a lamb and has received photographs taken in the Bunloit area purporting to show large-sized paw prints.

“Then, I took it very seriously,” said Councillor Davidson, who runs Abriachan Nurseries by the side of Loch Ness.

“It seems to be a clear pattern is emerging. I have since heard tell of sighting on other hills on north Loch Ness and Glen Urquhart.”

The Aird and Loch Ness councillor continued: “I believe this is a public safety issue. The recent sightings are on a hill next to a chalet park and on the Great Glen Way.

“I believe the police need to take this similarly seriously and the animal or animals need to be captured.”

Katrina Wallace lives with husband, Jim, and their three young children at Bunloit.

The family say they are now afraid to go out at night after a series of incidents which have been reported to the police.

On one occasion, she claims her husband got a glimpse of a creature just outside the house.

“We have two black labradors and he thought it was one of those but then realised they were inside,” Mrs Wallace said. “He looked again and saw the animal’s tail.”

In February, one of the dogs had to be treated by the vet after being attacked one night in the garden. “The top part of its leg was grazed and the vet said it could only get an injury like that if it had been dragged.”

She also discovered a badly-mauled dead lamb which had a large puncture wound on the back of its neck while on another occasion she took photographs of large paw prints leading to the house from a nearby wooded area. “A friend of ours who does a lot of shooting and has tracked animals confirmed they are cat prints and a big one at that,” Mrs Wallace said.

She is now afraid a child could be attacked but feels some residents are reluctant to acknowledge the issue. “Nobody really wants to speak about it,” she said. “They don’t want to admit it is there.”

Northern Constabulary have told them nothing can be done without DNA evidence.

“Up until now not enough action has been taken,” said Mrs Wallace.

But a Northern Constabulary spokesman said the police do take such reports seriously. “Clearly there is a public safety issue and a welfare issue for the animal concerned,” he said.

“Where there is credible information that there may be a large animal in a specific area then we will work with our Scottish SPCA partners to try and recover it through the use of humane live traps.”

Is this the kind of creature thought to be in the hills above Loch Ness?

Was it really a leopard that was spotted?
Inverness Courier: Opinion (based on an earlier sighting elsewhere in the Highlands)

MYSTERIOUS animals strike a chord in our psyche and the Highlands has a rich tradition in such sightings. The newspapers last week featured the ‘beast of Embo’, sighted by sisters after 18 sheep had been killed.

It sent my mind whirring back to 1980 and the celebrated Cannich puma which generated the kind of tabloid frenzy nowadays generated by Jordan’s Hindenburg-like cleavage or Cheryl Cole’s latest lip gloss.

There had been mystery animal sightings in the North a long time previously. The Daily Express reported back in 1927 that in rural Inverness-shire sheep and goats had been attacked by an animal a shepherd described as “like a leopard but without spots”. A strange description unless it was the first case of a leopard actually changing his spots. Like the guy telling his mate: “I’ve just spotted a leopard” and his pal replying:”Don’t be daft, they’re born with spots”.

Anyway, The Express reported that traps were set and a creature was caught which was sent to London Zoo where it was identified as a lynx. Later it turned out London Zoo had no record of receiving any such animal. It was the biggest animal tall tale since there were three bears and one married a giraffe. The other two put him up to it.

In 1973 there was a “big cat” sighting in Strathnaver, Caithness, by a retired Glasgow police sergeant – and remember, those hardy guys in that era were not prone to dubious eyesight or wild flights of imagination unless giving evidence at a villain’s trial. The sergeant reckoned a puma with a rabbit in its mouth jumped in to the path of his car, almost colliding with it.

It was reported in 1977 that a man and his nephew at Farr, 10 miles from Inverness, “saw a lioness and two cubs” in a field and the next day a similar sighting was recorded at Culduthel. It definitely wasn’t a buffalo, which allows me to ask what did the buffalo say to his son when he was leaving?

“Bison”.

In July 1981 a workman coming off shift at the McDermott oil platform construction yard at Ardersier saw an animal “larger than an Alsatian, identical to a puma” come out of undergrowth and cross the road. On Christmas Eve the same year, again at the McDermott yard entrance, someone reported his headlights had caught a tan creature “larger and heavier built than a Labrador dog”. Yes, I know, some more sceptical readers might speculate whether these witnesses had, in fact, seen an Alsatian and a Labrador.

Then again, in July 1997 a man from Kirkintilloch who caused a three car pile-up on the A9 near Ralia, just south of Newtonmore, told police that he had seen a black and white creature “about the size of a Great Dane” jump out in front of his car, making him lose control. Some might suspect a shaggy dog story, but at Inverness Sheriff Court, Sheriff James Fraser found the charge of careless driving not proven.

Eleven years ago four golfers playing at Nairn Dunbar contacted police to say they had seen a large male lynx 30 yards from them as they stood on the seventh green. I know about birdies and eagles, but a lynx on the links?

All these pale into insignificance compared to the commotion at Cannich on 29th October, 1980. There had been cases of livestock harmed by a mystery cat in Glen Affric for a couple of years. Farmer Ted Noble, who died eight years later, erected a trap with a sprung door that was connected to a sheep’s head inside the cage and reported catching alive a fully grown female puma.

Cue a stampede up the glen of Her Majesty’s media as the event rapidly became UK-wide and international news. But there were different views. When the photograph of the puma’s face in a cage was published in two competing tabloids, one headline stated:”Grrr!”, but the rival headline was “Miaow”, claiming the animal was as tame as a tabby cat.

The Puma of the Glen was taken to a new home at Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig where the director Eddie Orbell stated that, in his view, the puma had never spent as long as 30 minutes in the wild. It refused to eat an unskinned rabbit and would only take prepared food. It was reported to be very overweight and tame.

This monstrously savage creature apparently enjoyed having its tummy tickled. And was named Felicity. Like mixing a hyena with gravy, it became a laughing stock.

Amidst widespread suspicion of a hoax, with one particular journalist the centre of suspicion, no proof of this was ever forthcoming. The huge publicity made Felicity a favourite with visitors to the park, where she remained until her death in January, 1985. Her body was stuffed and put on display at Inverness Museum.

What really happened in those eventful days in Cannich 31 years ago? And who do you believe? Some reckon Felicity arrived in the glen via Land Rover, others believe she was one of a family of pumas in the area. Karl Popper, the Austrian philosopher, said: “Ultimate truth is unattainable”. And maybe that’s true about how Felicity came to be in that hillside cage.

But the phenomena of mystery big cats continues, as the episode in Embo shows. It is suggested that new laws on the keeping of dangerous wild animals in the 1970s led to some owners turning their beasts out in to the wild. This could conceivably account for some sightings.

In recent years beavers have been reintroduced to Argyll and a Sutherland landowner wants to bring back wolves after a 400-year absence. The argument for wolves is that deer and rabbits cause great damage and nature, red in tooth and claw, taking its course might be beneficial. Those who keep sheep will be less relaxed.

But they say that on a cold night up Cannich way, particularly when strong drink is taken, you can hear on the soft breeze the haunting cry of a puma. Pining after its cousin, who has flitted to Embo.

More info on big cats in the Loch Ness area can be found here

Felicity - the Cannich Puma

Inverness Courier: 16/05/11

A DIRECT and daily air service between Inverness and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam will start in September.

Flybe will operate the route and travellers can book from tomorrow.

The announcement comes on the back of lenghty discussions between Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and Flybe, with support and key funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

“Securing a link to Europe’s premier hub airport has been a long held aspiration of HIAL and the region,” said Inglis Lyon, HIAL managing director. “The proposed multi-billion investments in renewables, University of the Highlands and Islands developments and the thriving tourism makets gives this route even greater strategic significance.”

The Inverness to Schiphol service will provide seven flights per week during the summer months and six per week during the winter months.

The service, which will be officially launched at Inverness Airport tomorrow, will start operating on Monday, 5th September.

Inverness Airport is the closest airport to Loch Ness!

TWO brothers are the latest to tap into the Highlands’ thriving specialist beer market by launching a new brewery business from their pub in Drumnadrochit.

Hoteliers and real ale enthusiasts Allan and Stephen Crossland are to create the Loch Ness Brewery more than 150 years since beer was last produced locally.

The move comes a week after The Inverness Courier revealed that the established Black Isle Brewery in Munlochy has secured its first export order, supplying its Goldeneye Pale Ale to Sweden’s state controlled off licences.

Five different beers will be produced by the Crosslands, who have run the village’s Benleva Hotel for nine years. They already host an annual beer festival and sell products from other Highland breweries. Having carried out extensive tasting, research and sought advice from other independent brewers, the brothers hope to start serving up their own beers for real in March.

Patrons in the hotel’s bar on Kilmore Road will have the chance to try out the range – including Hoppy Ness – because the brothers intend to only supply their own premises at first.

Allan Crossland (41) said the venture had been in the pipeline for some time but the economic circumstances had made it difficult to secure investment from banks.

“It was something we always wanted to do,” he explained. “There used to be a small brewery at the Lewiston Arms Hotel 150 years ago.”

Thirty-nine-year-old Stephen said the aim was to start small and slowly expand production and hoped the venture would create new jobs in the future.

“We set up the Loch Ness Brewing Company a few years ago and it has been a continued process getting all the bits and bobs together. We are going to brew the beer from a cottage behind the hotel.”

Despite a world renowned legend on their doorstep, the brothers have made a conscious decision not to use Nessie in any of their packaging and marketing, preferring to identify the ales with the loch.

“There are enough things trading on Nessie already,” said Mr Crossland who refused to say how much they had invested in the project other than it was a considerable sum of money.

Test brews are currently being undertaken and equipment installed. Mr Crossland said advice from Angus MacRuary, one of the founders of the award winning Isle of Skye Brewery, had been invaluable.

Allan and Stephen Crossland from Drumnadrochit are set to launch their Loch Ness Brewery. Callum Mackay

TREES FOR LIFE
News release For immediate release: Tuesday 11th January 2011

Welcoming 2011 as the United Nations’ International Year of Forests, conservation charity Trees for Life today announced a series of new initiatives in its award-winning work to restore Scotland’s Caledonian Forest, and called on people to take advantage of the year to reconnect with Britain’s forests and woodlands.

Alan Watson Featherstone, Executive Director of Trees for Life, said:
“Forests are very special and important places, for people as well as wildlife. They are often refuges for endangered animals and plants, they help to tackle climate change by soaking up carbon dioxide, and they are inspiring places to visit.

“2011 is an ideal opportunity for people to enjoy visiting forests and woodlands whether for simple walks, wildlife spotting, or just enjoying the peace and quiet. With 2011 also being the European Year of Volunteering, it’s a great time to take practical action through on-the-ground projects such as our Conservation Holiday programme.”

To help people enjoy visits to the Caledonian Forest, in May Trees for Life will open new visitor facilities at its Dundreggan Estate in Glen Moriston near Loch Ness, Inverness-shire. The recent discovery of many rare, endangered and presumed extinct species at Dundreggan has established its reputation as a ‘lost world’ for the Highlands.

Trees for Life hopes that its work in 2011 to expand native woodland on the estate will help to attract red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) to Dundreggan. The species has not been recorded on the estate, but is present elsewhere in Glen Moriston, in Forestry Commission Scotland’s Inverwick Forest across the River Moriston, and to the east at Bhlaraidh.

Other plans for Dundreggan include experimental work to establish a population of twinflower (Linnea borealis), a rare flowering plant associated with the Caledonian Forest and a priority for conservation.

Trees for Life has also made a commitment to planting 100,000 trees during 2011, as part of an ongoing pledge to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Billion Tree Campaign. Major milestones this year will include the 20th anniversary of Trees for Life’s first tree planting in April 1991, and also the planting of the charity’s one-millionth tree.

“If every person in Britain were to plant just one tree in 2011, we’d have the equivalent of a large new forest of 60 million trees by year end – that’s the difference we can make in the International Year of Forests. A rewarding way to take part is to come and volunteer with Trees for Life, and plant hundreds of trees yourself,” said Alan Watson Featherstone.

More volunteers will be able to support this work than in any previous year through a programme of 47 Conservation Holiday Weeks, which allow people from all backgrounds and ages to help restore Scotland’s natural heritage at various outstanding locations in the Highlands, alongside a new programme of local volunteer day trips called ‘Green Days Out’.

Today the UK is one of Europe’s least wooded countries, with only four per cent of native woodland cover. In the Highlands, the Caledonian Forest covers just one per cent of its former maximum area.

Through Trees for Life, people can mark the International Year of Forests and their own special occasions by funding dedicated trees and groves. See www.treesforlife.org.uk or call 0845 458 3505. For information on the International Year of Forests see www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011.

/ Ends

Notes to editors
1.    Trees for Life aims to restore the Caledonian Forest to an area of
1,500 square kilometres in the Scottish Highlands west of Inverness.
2.    Since planting its first trees in 1991 in Glen Affric, Trees for Life
has planted over 924,000 trees. Its awards include 1991 UK Conservation Project of the Year, the Millennium Marque in 2000 and Top 10 Conservation Holidays worldwide in 2009.
3.    Trees for Life’s £1.65 million purchase of Dundreggan in 2008 saw the
site become one of the largest areas of land in the UK bought for forest restoration. Subsequent surveys have revealed that the estate is home to over 50 species that are priorities for conservation in the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan, thereby underlining its importance for conservation.

STV By Shiona McCallum
26 November 2010 10:57 GMT

The legend of Nessie has resurfaced with a new sighting and pictures of the Loch Ness monster.

Richard Preston, a landscape designer, has been the latest person to spot a mysterious shape that might be the Loch Ness monster and capture a series of images on camera.

While working on Aldourie Castle gardens on the banks of the Loch Ness, 27-year-old Mr Preston spotted a shape on the loch’s surface out of the corner of his eye.

He told STV News: “I was just walking through the castle gardens and I spotted something in the distance. When I looked closer I could clearly see the four hump-like features. I thought I’d take a picture of it, to see if there was anything in it, to see what others thought.

“I was surprised that it stayed there as long as it did. I took various shots of it before it suddenly disappeared. I literally just turned my back and it was gone.”

He showed one of his friends who was also convinced there was certainly some mystery in the pictures.

When asked whether or not he believed in the monster, Mr Preston said: “Well there’s definitely something in the myth.There were no ripples in the water, no boats, nothing around. I have no idea what it was, but it undoubtedly looks like Nessie.”

The latest sighting has brought hope to monster enthusiasts, as it had been a relatively quiet spell for spotting any activity in the Loch. Fears had been mounting that Nessie might be dead since reports of any sightings had been diminishing.

In July 1930, three people in a boat at the north end of the loch saw a 6m long hump-like shape travelling fast through the water. In April 1933, Aldie Mackay saw a violent disturbance in the water and a hump “like that of a whale” while driving along the north side of the loch.

Nessie? Taken from the banks of Loch Ness Pic: © Richard Preston

Original story here

Organisers promised 2011 would be the ‘Year of the ‘Ness’ and the gargantuan announcement today that KASABIAN and THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS are confirmed to headline the monster three day RockNess festival in the Scottish Highlands proves it’s well on its way to achieving that.

As recipients of one of Britain’s biggest and most respected awards – Q Best Act in the World Today, bestowed upon them at the prestigious Q Music Awards 2010, KASABIAN are without equal and head to RockNess for a Scottish festival exclusive!

With a feast of swaggering anthems and the best pulsating, semi psychedelic grooves on the planet – taken off their last three brilliant albums Kasabian, Empire and West Ryder Lunatic Asylum – this is set to be an unforgettable show.

Last year’s now legendary headline slot at the V festival reaffirmed their ascent to all conquering world domination. Now with ‘the people’s band’ heading to RockNess this will be one of the few chances to also hear brand new material first – fans can expect this supergroup to power their way through a stomping trajectory of anthems sure to stir even Nessie.

Joining KASABIAN, is an act that can well and truly call RockNess home – THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS. Last time Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands played the festival, they unleashed a colossal visual and sonic assault of such magnitude it reverberated the length of the Great Glen. Now in news that will generate elation with fans, they’re heading back!

As worthy winners of this year’s Q Hero Award, THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS are without question one of the world’s most potent forces in electronic music. Seven albums in, they remain uncompromising, boundary pushing and peerless. New album Further marks a stunning return to form with sweeping utopian layers and expansive vibes but still enough brutal beats to induce air-punching hysteria. With a dizzying back catalogue of hits and a knack for knowing exactly when to drop the beat for maximum impact, expect heaps of arms-aloft euphoria come June!

Speaking about their return to RockNess, Ed and Tom of THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS said “This will be the first time we have played in Scotland since 2008 and so it’s really exciting to be headlining one of our favourite festivals. RockNess is an amazing place to play and we can’t wait to be back there again”.

Adding to this, RockNess Festival Director Jim King commented “We said last year that we really wanted a big rock band and in Kasabian we have the biggest rock band in the UK today. They’re going to take the roof off. As for The Chemical Brothers, they epitomise everything we ever dreamed about as a RockNess headliner. They are one of my favourite bands of all time, true pioneers and RockNess legends”

With KASABIAN and THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS the first headliners to be revealed, and more headline acts to be announced, the summer most definitely starts at RockNess.

RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The festival won ‘LINE UP OF THE YEAR’ at last week’s UK Festival Awards for its 2010 extravaganza which saw appearances from a raft of incredible acts including headliners The Strokes. Leftfield and Fatboy Slim.

Music lovers are being encouraged to ‘Respect the ‘Ness’ by taking advantage of ‘GO GREEN’ tickets on sale from 9am on Friday 26 November that include FREE COACH TRAVEL FROM ALL MAJOR CITIES IN THE UK. This follows the instant sell out of the festival’s outrageously good value, computer crashing £99 weekend ticket and amazing Early Bird deal that also sold out!

GO GREEN ticket prices:

£149 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping
£159 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping with coach travel
£135 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket
£145 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket with coach travel
£189  – 3 day weekend camping / non camping VIP ticket

WWW.ROCKNESS.CO.UK

Runners and spectators at this year’s Festival will join the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink through the addition of the Baxters Highland Food and Drink Fayre in the Bught Park. Hot garlic bread, steaming bowls of delicious soup, roasting pig, local venison, salmon on bagels and locally brewed beer, and cooking demonstrations by Baxters Head Chef David King, are just some of the treats on offer for spectator and runners alike.

Everyone is invited to come along to the event village (free entry) to cheer on the runners crossing the finish line for all events including the Marathon, the River Ness 10K, 10K Corporate Challenge, the 5K Fun Run and, for the first time this year, the Wee Nessie. A packed programme of activities and entertainment throughout the day has something for all ages and features live music from Feis Rois, pipes and drums, Highland dancing display, climbing wall, bouncy castles and face painting, as well as charity and sports retailer stands.

For the first time this year, younger participants are invited to join the Wee Nessie. Pre-school age children will be able to toddle, walk or jog their own monster race, accompanied by a parent or carer, around a short circuit of approx. 400m in the Bught Park. Entry is on the event weekend.

Audrey Baxter, chairman of Baxters Food Group, said: “Baxters has been involved in the Loch Ness Marathon since the race began in 2002 and we are proud to be title sponsors for the ninth year running. During this time the festival has gone from strength to strength, and this year we hope it will have the greatest turn out of runners yet. With healthy eating and fitness going hand in hand, Baxters is proud to sponsor this high profile event which promotes an active lifestyle and a healthy balanced diet. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone involved in the event, the best of luck”.

Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Sandy Park, said: “Once again the draw of Loch Ness, the stunning scenery of the Highlands and the world-class Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running event has proven to be a winning combination, attracting a record number of entries for this year’s event. I welcome all runners, as well as their supporters, families and friends and wish all competitors the best of luck for their chosen event on Sunday.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running is an exciting event which we are delighted to be supporting through the EventScotland International programme and as part of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink. The addition of the Highland Food and Drink Fayre provides participants, who will be running along the shores of the world’s most famous loch, with the opportunity to sample the very best of Highland produce. As one of the largest participatory sporting events in Scotland, it is a fantastic celebration of athleticism, one which contributes toward making Scotland the perfect stage for events.”

Malcolm Sutherland of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running said: “It is an exciting year for the Festival for many reasons, not least of which is the fact that we have the largest entry field ever, and the possibility of faster times for all events. The new event village and finish line next to the river in Bught Park has new attractions, as well as the Baxters Highland Food and Drink Fayre celebrating Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink – there’s lots for everyone to do while they cheer on the people crossing the finish line.”

Entry for all races is now closed although there are limited entries for the 5K (and Wee Nessie) over the weekend. Parking is limited at Bught Park and surrounding area so spectators and supporters are encouraged to travel to the event by foot or by taxi/public transport.

Please note that there will be a number of road closures in effect during the event on Sunday 3 October to ensure the safety of participants and spectators. For full details of the closures, visit Road Closures pdf 
For further information on all aspects of the event visit www.lochnessmarathon.com.

John is a regular visitor and user of Loch Ness and just wanted to say how delighted he was to see the reinstatement of the Aldourie pier by the owners of Aldourie Castle. He also said how good it would be to see the other redundant piers around the loch improved. Could not agree more John – improving of the piers and jetties around Loch Ness has long been an aspiration of Destination Loch Ness and we are trying, improved piers would be great for visitors, great for tourism and great for the communities. Unfortunately it is an issue fraught with difficulties such as ownership and not least, the costs involved. Piers such as Inverfarigaig and Foyers require a huge amount of work if they are to be restored to their former glory and in some instances it’s not entirely clear who actually owns the pier

Personally I would be happy if we even got one restored – the Inverfarigaig pier. Inverfarigaig pier was built in the early 19th century by Thomas Telford one of Britain’s greatest civil engineers. It is one of the best places to stop and view the vast expanse of Loch Ness.

However Visit Loch Ness is doing great work raising funds to repair and restore our beauty spots and historic treasures around Loch Ness. We have a scheme in its infancy, they call it the Voluntary Payback Scheme, I call it the “keep Loch Ness beautiful” scheme as we do lots of work like annual litter pick ups, lay-by regeneration, path clearing and creation and lots of other work that helps the local environment. So when you plan a visit you may see on your booking form a request to donate a £ to the voluntary payback scheme, please say YES. You might just help to restore another Loch Ness gem.

In the long term, the Loch Ness Trail could link up with the Great Glen Way to form a complete circuit of Loch Ness, which is, in parts, pretty spectacular so we look forward to even better long term prospects for walkers and riders in our area. Along the length of the trail, at key points, there will be information points detailing the history, flora and fauna.

Have a look at our interactive Loch Ness map for a great selection of existing printable walks, rides and many more holiday ideas all in one place. The new loch Ness Trail willbe available here as soon as the trail is opened.

Welcome too, are the blue skies and warm breeze as I write and from my window I can see and envy the holidaymakers gliding past in their luxury cruise boats.  Cruise boat hire has become very popular on the loch in recent years. Note – I refer to cruiser hire, not Loch Ness cruises  where you spend an hour or two on a large boat and get taken for a trip on the loch. No – I mean family holidays in luxury cabin cruisers – you hire a cabin cruiser for a week or so and by navigating the Caledonian Canal, sail all the way down the Great Glen to Fort William, or just “mess about on the water” for a few days and nights – it’s very relaxing, so I am told.  I have never actually done the cabin cruise holiday thing but have always promised myself to give it a go one day.   

I almost decided a long time ago to try a cruising holiday on the Norfolk Broads but then saw the congested waterways which I could only liken to the  waterways answer to the M25 in the rush hour! Heaven knows what it’s like nowadays!  Hey, you don’t get that on Loch Ness – the only time you might have to queue is when you pass through the lock gates on the Caledonian Canal stretches and that’s a great opportunity to say Hi to other adventure cruisers.

Take a look at Caley cruises, the most popular cruiser hire company on Loch Ness and see how much it costs.  Not just cruising though  - you can hire bikes to take with you as there are some excellent cycling trails along the way. You can also hire fishing rods – what better way to fish the waters of the Great Glen.   Thinking back, I am inclined to feel that the Norfolk Broads is a little bit tame for me compared to exploring the whole of Loch Ness and the Great Glen.