Wednesday 7 September 2011

September Scotland Tour - Day 4 - Glen Nevis to Ballater

Today's route takes us from Glen Nevis Hostel, Fort William to Ballater in the Cairngorms. We'll be driving via Fort Augustus then along the east side of Loch Ness past Foyers. Further onto Dores then along the country roads past Torness and Tombreck onto the A9 to Carrbridge and Speybridge. From there we'll take the scenic, winding A939 through the Cairngorms to Ballater passing Tomintoul and Corgarff. No doubt there will be lots of stops for picture, weather permitting.

10:00 am. On the road. The rain has stopped all of a sudden and the sun is breaking through. Making a quick stop on the A82 half way between Fort William and Spean Bridge to take pictures.

Scenic Scottish Highland Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highland Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highland Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highland Landscape.

Cid in action.

Me in action.

10:30 am. Quick stop at the Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge, Scottish Highlands.

Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge, Scottish Highlands.

Scenery around the Commando Memorial, near Spean Bridge.

Scenery around the Commando Memorial, near Spean Bridge.

Scenery around the Commando Memorial, near Spean Bridge.

Scenery around the Commando Memorial, near Spean Bridge.

Scenery around the Commando Memorial, near Spean Bridge.

Scenery around the Commando Memorial, near Spean Bridge.

11:00 am. After capturing the stunning landscape, a quick dash to the car saves us from getting drenched as the heavens open once again.


Rain clouds moving in again.

Me again.
11:50 am. Another stop for pictures. Rather difficult to say where we are exactly. Shall we say somewhere near Loch Knockie or Whitebridge on the B862. A road definitely worth driving!

Btw, if anyone is willing to donate a GPS for my camera, please get in touch. A donor from Scotland is preferred as this is where I left most of my money this year.




B862

Scenic Scottish Highlands Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highlands Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highlands Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highlands Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highlands Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highlands Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highlands Landscape.

Scenic Scottish Highlands Landscape.



Me taking photos of Loch Ness.


1:00 pm. Arrived in Dores, Loch Ness.

After a quick lunch consisting of Pipers Crisps and Red Wine (for Cid) and coffee (for me) at the Dores Inn, we're stretching our legs on the shore of Loch Ness.

The scenery is overwhelming!





In Dores, Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands.

In Dores, view of Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands.

Night Swimming. Loch Ness.

Loch Ness.

View of Loch Ness from Dores.

Me taking photos of Loch Ness, by the Dores Inn.

2:30 pm. We continue our journey on the B862 and B851 (east of Loch Ness) through some truly stunning landscape. And every so often, when the rain stops for a minute, we stop for pictures.


Cid in the scenery.

And the sheep are happy. Scottish Highlands landscape.

Scottish Highlands landscape.

Autumn coloured heather.

6:00 pm. After almost 3 hours of driving we have now arrived in the Cairngorms. The following pictures where taken somewhere on the A939.


Cairngorm National Park landscape, Highlands, Scotland.

Cairngorm National Park landscape, Highlands, Scotland.

Cairngorm National Park landscape, Highlands, Scotland.

Cairngorm National Park landscape, Highlands, Scotland.

Cairngorm National Park landscape, Highlands, Scotland.

8:00 pm. In Ballater. We've checked in to Habitat Hostel. Highly recommended!
After a quick change and freshening up we're now having a drink and Haggis flavoured crisps in the garden of La Mangiatoia Restaurant, which is right next to the Hostel. Very handy.


La Mangiatoia Restaurant.

Cid and her Haggis flavoured crisps diner.

8:30 pm. At the Deeside Inn, Ballater. We came here especially for the Deeside Sessions, a Scottish traditional live music event.

Well, it was not quite what I've expected. I had a large crowd in mind all dancing and clapping. 
But at the and it turned into an interesting and entertaining evening. I'm leaving details out apart from us asking around the pub why no one is dancing. All of our charm couldn't persuade the gents to get up and move their hips. What's more, we've been TOLD that one usually doesn't dance to that sort of music. It's for listening to only! 

The Deeside Inn in Ballater.
Musicians performing traditional Scottish music at the Deeside Inn bar in Ballater.

The Deeside Inn in Ballater.


Toni and Francis from Preston with Cid.

Cid and me at the Deeside Inn, Ballater.

I have put together a map of the whole tour which you may find helpful if you are planning a Scotland trip too.

If you've enjoyed this post please feel free to share or forward it.
Or visit my website www.a-picture-a-day.com for more photo galleries.


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