A couple of lovely gentle days in mixed rain and sunshine based on Inverness. The city, and the Highlands, are much more touristed than I remember with so many more foreign languages heard. I’m not sure if that’s due to Outlander, that Top Gear promotion of the driving, cool climate tourism or a safe destination in tumultuous times; or a mixture of all the above.

The bustle hasn’t spoiled the place for me, but more planning is definitely required like bookings for dinner and accepting many people at every beautiful easily accessed place.

A pretty little city, easily walkable, with the river right through it and so many churches of all persuasions. It’s cold for West Australians ! Rain then sun or both together, with wind, no wonder everywhere is so green.

Yesterday a day of walking through forest, looking at waterfalls, and a cruise on Loch Ness to Urquhart. Does the Loch Ness Minster exist ? Or was it a very successful marketing ploy in the 1930’s by a Highland businessman to keep Scotland popular ?

Whatever the thoughts on the existence of Nessie, the loch is beautiful with inspiring forests, and Urquart Castle a moody reminder of Scotland’s bloody past.

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