A three night stay in Drumnadrochit allowed an exploration of Loch Ness and the surrounding area. Although the trip was in early April, we experienced a mix of weather including sunshine, showers, mist and snow.
Glen Affric lies to the south-west and is very accessible as far as Affric Lodge ; there were many good viewpoints to take shots of Loch Affric and the many waterfalls in spate at that time. There is however a very different glen, Glen Strathfarrar, several miles north on the A831. It is a private glen with limited access to private cars, 25 at any one time. Entry is free once the custodian unlocks the multi-padlocked gate. The road through the glen is well maintained and there was an unexpected feeling of tranquility. This is a visit not to be missed.
The Guisachan estate in the area is well known as the home of the first Golden Retrievers, bred by Baron Tweedmouth towards the end of the 19th century. A statue commemorates this.
A trip by car round Loch Ness is enjoyable and illuminating. Sadly no monster appeared. Castle Urquhart can be visited ( at a price) and the A82 takes you south to Fort Augustus; the views of the Loch are obscured by many high trees and a better view of the Loch on that west side can be seen by taking the A82 north.
Fort Augustus is a useful rest point for refreshments and shopping, including a nice woollen shop in a corrugated iron former church. However the road on the East side of the Loch gives many better views and although it is a B road, it is worth taking for the scenery.
The Falls of Foyers are spectacularly high but the falls themselves have a disappointing water flow as they are downstream from a hydro-electric plant. Another road, the B862 travels inland and rises to give spectacular views over the mountains, especially after a snowfall. Excellent views down the Loch can be photographed from the shores of Dores, a small village south of Inverness.
The return trip home via Fort Augustus to Fort William, Ballachulish and Glen Coe was, of course, a joy with the glorious scenery enhanced by snow on the surrounding mountains and a final stop at the “ Green Wellie “oasis for lunch.
This was a good trip with many photographic opportunities which the attached images show.
Gillian Temple – using a Canon R5 camera
David McConkey – using an Apple I-phone and a Canon 5D mkIII
David Bolton – using a Fujifilm GFX 50 S camera