Is this IDAHO? The HIGHLANDS or Loch Ness Monster Area?

Both going to and coming from Inverness, we had bad blizzard experiences.There were even two times of a white out on the way back. Doug commented that he has not driven in such bad situations, even in Idaho.













We traveled to Inverness to teach the church members there about Family History. Many of them were snowed in and unable to come to church. It is a 3 1/2 hour drive from Falkirk.

We crossed this long bridge to Invergordon.

These were the clouds at 9AM..

The wee road on the way to Loch Ness.

Loch Ness is a fresh water loch, or lake and is 52' above sea level. The deepest point is 755'. It is 23 miles long and is the second largest loch in Scotland. It  has more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. We also learned that because of the snow of the last two days and the melting, Loch Ness has risen 4". That is quite a bit considering the length and depth of the loch. When the salmon come to the loch, seals come and eels also. Often the eels grow to be 10' in length. The boats make wakes and often give the appearance of something in the water. Our guide told us that probably the Loch Ness Monster (Nessie) can never be disproved.

Urquhart castle as it was built originally.

This is what exists now.

Urquhart was destroyed by the English. Notice the size of the stone balls that were used. They traveled the distance of about 2 football fields. The walls and ceilings of the castle were left in ruin after the assault. Clans took anything of value from the castle afterwards.

Cannons were placed here as a defense.

Just inside the main opening to the castle was a windowless room to hold prisoners. Most of them were given fines to pay, some died waiting for trial and a few were nailed to a beam by the ear.

St. Columba is said to have worked miracles in the 6th century.

Acts of chivalry and defiance provided inspiration during the Wars of Independence.
the MacDonalds Lords of the Isles struggled with the Crown for power.

Boats travel every 30 minutes up and down the loch looking for the monster.

Very tame pheasants getting lunch.