We had a sustaining veggie cooked breakfast before setting off for Fort Augustus.
It was rather a disappointment when we arrived to find that the water had been drained from this area of the Caledonian Canal so that repairs could be carried out.
We headed down to Loch Ness, which was more appealing, to see the 'tiny lighthouse', actually a shipping beacon.
Here is the view back up towards the locks.
There was not a lot of choice of restaurants and cafes open for lunch, and we decided that we would head back to Inverness. I always feel that Fort Augustus is a pretty village, but a bit too much of a tourist trap. However, on a previous visit, we hired a motor boat and ventured out on to Loch Ness, and that was quite exciting.
'Nourish' was our venue for lunch back in Inverness. It is a small organic, vegetarian restaurant, that offers a simple menu of soups, sandwiches and cakes, with a savoury 'plate of the day' (a white bean stew on the day we visited). We had cheese and chutney GF sandwich, or wrap, which came with a mixed leaf and sprouted bean side salad. Vegan options were also available. It was busy on the day we arrived and we had to share a large table with two ladies, and people later than us were turned away, so it might be best to book a table in advance at busy times.
The Town House in Inverness has just had a revamp.
I had a look round the T K Maxx in the city centre and managed to find a Benetton cagoule for £9.99, which I was very pleased with!
On the Tuesday, we decided to take a long drive north, up to Helmsdale, stopping off at Dornoch on the way.
The beach at Dornoch was Brock's morning walk...
Definitely one of our favourite places to visit in the region. Acres of clean sands, with a scattering of rocks and rock pools to investigate.
We walked back into the town for coffee and cakes at the dog-friendly Cocoa Mountain Cafe. It just serves drinks and cakes.
Dornoch is an attractive and unspoilt town, with interesting independent shops, hotels, cafes etc. The Jail in the town is now an upmarket shop, with units selling art, clothing, ornaments and souvenirs.
Timespan at Helmsdale was our next stop. It houses a museum, art gallery, gift shop, bakery, archive, and riverside cafe. Here are some of the things we saw there ...
The view from the cafe, where I had carrot and coconut soup, followed by a GF citrus polenta tray bake. Rob had a toasted cheese sandwich with bulgar wheat side salad.
The small museum has some charming exhibits, and rooms showing life in the past.
A rag rug!
Typical general store.
Part of the current exhibition in the art gallery:
No Colour Bar: Highland Remix: Clearances to Colonialism 22 March to 9 June 2019
Another walk for Brock at The Mound at Loch Fleet, broke up the journey back to the holiday cottage. The huge causeway was designed by engineer Thomas Telford and was constructed during the years 1814 - 1816. The link above gives more information about the site.
After this long, but interesting day, we headed back to watch the semi final of The Great British Sewing Bee. Nail biting stuff! 😄
It was rather a disappointment when we arrived to find that the water had been drained from this area of the Caledonian Canal so that repairs could be carried out.
[Please click on any photo to see a larger version.]
We set off on a walk next to The Canal, but decided after a mile or two that it was a bit too dull to continue with, without the water and boats to look at.
We headed down to Loch Ness, which was more appealing, to see the 'tiny lighthouse', actually a shipping beacon.
Here is the view back up towards the locks.
There was not a lot of choice of restaurants and cafes open for lunch, and we decided that we would head back to Inverness. I always feel that Fort Augustus is a pretty village, but a bit too much of a tourist trap. However, on a previous visit, we hired a motor boat and ventured out on to Loch Ness, and that was quite exciting.
'Nourish' was our venue for lunch back in Inverness. It is a small organic, vegetarian restaurant, that offers a simple menu of soups, sandwiches and cakes, with a savoury 'plate of the day' (a white bean stew on the day we visited). We had cheese and chutney GF sandwich, or wrap, which came with a mixed leaf and sprouted bean side salad. Vegan options were also available. It was busy on the day we arrived and we had to share a large table with two ladies, and people later than us were turned away, so it might be best to book a table in advance at busy times.
I had a look round the T K Maxx in the city centre and managed to find a Benetton cagoule for £9.99, which I was very pleased with!
On the Tuesday, we decided to take a long drive north, up to Helmsdale, stopping off at Dornoch on the way.
The beach at Dornoch was Brock's morning walk...
We walked back into the town for coffee and cakes at the dog-friendly Cocoa Mountain Cafe. It just serves drinks and cakes.
Dornoch is an attractive and unspoilt town, with interesting independent shops, hotels, cafes etc. The Jail in the town is now an upmarket shop, with units selling art, clothing, ornaments and souvenirs.
Timespan at Helmsdale was our next stop. It houses a museum, art gallery, gift shop, bakery, archive, and riverside cafe. Here are some of the things we saw there ...
No Colour Bar: Highland Remix: Clearances to Colonialism 22 March to 9 June 2019
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