Scotland's Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle and the Old Bridge in Invermoriston

Last October, we went on a Cosmos Tour to visit the "Highlights of Ireland and Scotland." During our journey, we stopped at Loch Ness in Scotland and walked along the loch. Although we searched as far as we could see, we could not catch a glimpse of the famous "Loch Ness Monster." You may have better luck spotting it during your visit. (smile)

 

Loch Ness is a large freshwater loch (lake) in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 37 kilometers (23 miles) southwest of Inverness. It takes its name from the River Ness, which flows from the northern end.

Loch Ness is the second-largest Scottish lake by surface area after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume in Great Britain. Its deepest point is 230 meters (126 fathoms; 755 feet), making it the second deepest loch in Scotland after Loch Morar. It contains more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined and is the largest body of water in the Great Glen, which runs from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the south. Its surface is 16 meters (52 feet) above sea level.

One thing we did find along Loch Ness was spectacular colorful autumn scenery! 

We stopped again at an overlook of Urquhart Castle. The present ruins date from the 13th to the 16th centuries, though built on the site of an early medieval fortification. Founded in the 13th century, Urquhart played a role in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century.  Urquhart was partially destroyed in 1692 to prevent its use by Jacobite forces, and it subsequently decayed. In the 20th century, it was placed in state care as a scheduled monument and opened to the public: it is now one of the most-visited castles in Scotland!

While we watched above, a large group of visitors to the castle departed a ferry that docked on Loch Ness.

The buildings of the castle were laid out around two main enclosures on the shore. The northern enclosure or Nether Bailey includes most of the more intact structures, including the gatehouse, and the five-story Grant Tower at the north end of the castle. The southern enclosure or Upper Bailey, located on higher ground, comprises the scant remains of earlier buildings.

Not only was the view beautiful but so was the local flora!

Our next stop along Loch Ness was the Old Bridge at Invermoriston.

Built in 1813, the bridge was part of the main road between Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus, until it was replaced in the 1930s with a new bridge. Today it’s a great spot for photographs and to see salmon leaping. 

The Old Bridge crosses the spectacular River Moriston Falls.

My husband and I and my sister-in-law and my brother-in-law posed for a photo on the bridge.

I believe that the fall season in Scotland is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen!

In my next blog post, I will take you to Culloden, Scotland, the site of the historic Battle of Culloden. If you are a fan of The Outlander book and TV series, you'll recognize this historic place.

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