Loch Ness cruise & Urquhart Castle

[SarahHound]

Well as some know, I recently met my penpal Sandra from Sweden. She came to Scotland for a week to stay with a friend of hers, so as we were quite close, we decided to meet. We got on really well, and Sandra loved Scotland although she said it was VERY different to Sweden. She says the people are friendlier in Scotland, but its colder!

Anyway, we went on a cruise of Loch Ness, which was 30mins down the loch to Urquhart Castle, then 1 hour there, then 30mins back on the boat. It was good All the journey to where the boat left it had been raining, but just as we got there, it stopped! Then as we got to the castle, the clouds started clearing and we got some blue sky. We were quite lucky! Anyway, on to the pics.

We had to go in a walkway under the road, and above it, there was a Nessie!

DSC_0377c by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0378c by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0380c by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0387 by Niseag, on Flickr

This was the Jacobite Legend, which wasn't our boat, just parked there, but of course, I did need a photo! The other side pier is where we got our boat from.

DSC_0391 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0396 by Niseag, on Flickr

From the harbour as we waited

DSC_0397 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0400 by Niseag, on Flickr

lots more yet...

 

[SarahHound]

And there's the Jacobite Warrior coming in, the boat we got on

DSC_0401 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0406 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0410 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0414 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0418 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0421 by Niseag, on Flickr

There was a guy doing some sort of water sport, like rowing a surf board! I thought he was crazy!

DSC_0422 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0424 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0427 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0431 by Niseag, on Flickr

few more...

 

[SarahHound]

Still going

DSC_0438 by Niseag, on Flickr

Looking back

DSC_0439 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0456 by Niseag, on Flickr

And forwards!

DSC_0446 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0460 by Niseag, on Flickr

Coming in to the castle

DSC_0464 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0473 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0477 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0478 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0482 by Niseag, on Flickr

yep, more...

 

[SarahHound]

DSC_0483 by Niseag, on Flickr

Getting off

DSC_0491 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0495 by Niseag, on Flickr

Some little ducklings on the shoreline

DSC_0497 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0498 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0502 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0504 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0505 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0507 by Niseag, on Flickr

Our boat going back out with other tourists

DSC_0513 by Niseag, on Flickr

...

 

[SarahHound]

Sandra and me

DSC_0517 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0526 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0529 by Niseag, on Flickr

This is from mid way up the Tower

DSC_0534 by Niseag, on Flickr

This is Sandra's friend, Sandra, and me

DSC_0536 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0542 by Niseag, on Flickr

From the top level of the tower, it was so high up and windy!

DSC_0543 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0548 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0550 by Niseag, on Flickr

Back downstairs

DSC_0558 by Niseag, on Flickr
...

 

[SarahHound]

DSC_0561 by Niseag, on Flickr

DSC_0564 by Niseag, on Flickr

Sandra and the piper

DSC_0570 by Niseag, on Flickr

Food Store by Niseag, on Flickr

The Jacobite Queen, and the Jacobite Warrior either side of Urquhart Castle

Jacobite Queen & Jacobite Warrior either side of Urquhart Castle by Niseag, on Flickr

Jacobite Queen by Niseag, on Flickr

Jacobite Warrior by Niseag, on Flickr

Jacobite Queen by Niseag, on Flickr

Back on the boat

Urquhart Castle by Niseag, on Flickr

Sarah, Sandra, Becky by Niseag, on Flickr

...

 

[SarahHound]

The JQ in front of us

Jacobite Queen by Niseag, on Flickr

And here's some photos I took on the way home, this bridge is about 9 miles from home.

Laxford bridge by Niseag, on Flickr

Laxford bridge by Niseag, on Flickr

Laxford bridge by Niseag, on Flickr

Laxford River by Niseag, on Flickr

Laxford bridge by Niseag, on Flickr

Laxford river by Niseag, on Flickr

 

[Barb04]

What gorgeous pics & scenery. Thanks for sharing. It must have been nice to meet your penpal. I've had one for 40 years now. We don't see each other often but always stay in touch.

 

[shadowfacedanes]

So jealous! I've always wanted to go to Scotland. I have a friend who lives there and she's always taunting me with beautiful photos. One day I will get there! It's such beautiful country in photos...I can only imagine seeing it in the flesh. Thanks for sharing the photos.

 

[Dizzy]

Ooooh lovely I haven't been to Loch Ness in years!! I remember the Nessie clearly though as I was obsessed with dragons and dinosaurs growing up. I remember buying a Nessie toy when I was there as a kid think I was about 17 last time I was there.

Must take a week in Scotland at some point. Must, must, must!!!