Fort Augustus

It was a glorious morning at Laggan Lock, and even early in the day the sun was burning hot. It was hard to believe this was Scotland. One member of the team - no actually two - resorted to shorts. We left at 10.30 from this, the highest point on the Canal, to start our leisurely descent towards the east coast. Going down in the locks was much easier than going up! We passed through two swing bridges, which were opened on demand and went through two locks. One of the lock-keepers was a jolly older woman who awarded the four of us a sticky gold star each, for being 'good boys and girls for wearing our life jackets'. We duly stuck them on our lifejackets until they fell off.

the view from the restaurant

By lunchtime we arrived at Fort Augustus, one of the main touristy hot-spots of the Canal with a beautiful flight of 5 locks and a swing bridge. The plan was to stay on the pontoons just before the locks, and that was just as well, since it turned out the swing bridge was not working. The word was that it would be mended by the morning.

Dinner was at the Boat House, a Scottish/Turkish restaurant with a superb view over the opening into Loch Ness. A perfect warm day.