West Scotland; Largs - Loch Ness

This next section is from the small town of Largs, along the Firth of Clyde to the north side of Loch Ness, on our way to stay at Muir of Ord.

Large cities usually lead to confusion getting to the other side and as we had no desire to travese Glasgow a more westerly route was found that required two short ferry crossings.  Here the companion ferry over the Firth of Clyde from near Gourock to a the small town of Dunoon.

The route took us northward along the shores of Loch Eck and around the north end of Loch Fyne to the town of Inveraray.  In town centre beside the Loch is this sign.  The house built in 1753 and is now a B&B.

Nearby this street scene.  We did not dally and proceeded north up Glen Aray toward Loch Awe.

It was not all stone structures.  Here the steel bridge across the outlet of Loch Etive where it enters Lynn of Lorn off the Firth of Lorn.

Castle Tioram (pronounced "cheerum"), has a bit of a history.  Built in the 13th century as the seat of the MacDonalds of Clanranald, then to be burnt down by their chief in 1715 to prevent it from falling into Hanovarian hands while he was away fightling for the Jacobites.  It is on an island in the shelter sea Loch Moidart.  It is reached at low tide by a natural causeway.  No, we did not go over to it.

Find it on the coast west of Fort William near the settlement of Archaracle.

Along the road into the castle above were spectacular reflections in the deep stream from Loch Shiel.

Also this old stone bridge into private property.

Farming was not the prime land use howevr a few sheep were grazing on somewhat indifferent pasturage but were never-the-less  in very good condition.  Some venison steaks were purhased from the farm shop.  The owner had culling rights on nearby estates.

A different tower where the internal stairway could be ascended to take in the view from the top.

Entry to the lock system at the start of the Caledonian Canal from Loch Lochy then enters Loch Oich before reaching Loch Ness through another series of locks.

Loch Ness is commercial with operations such as this.  The castle was just a ruin over-run by tourists.  We carried on, there were plenty of ruins to view, but we did take a few photos.

Waterways were a more pleasant experience.

Next will be Muir of Ord from near Inverness then back to the north west coast via highway A835.