Blackfold to Drumnadrochit

The final segment of the GGW, from Drumnadrochit to Inverness, 18-21 1/2 miles, depending on how you measure the distance, is done by the hearty in one day. Depending on how you measure the distance? Yes. For example, our B and Bs, in both locations were some distance form the measuring points, and even though I did not know that at the time of booking, our walk would have been 21 1/2 miles. By doing it in two days, we had time to walk and be tourists.

After being taxied to Blackfold, some 13 1/2 miles from Inverness, we turned south to walk back to Drumnadrochit. A lovely walk it was, too, except for a long stretch of tarmac at the start. It is not so much the unsightliness of walking on a hard surface, it is the grief it causes the bottoms of your feet.

Do you see Bessie here? Although some of her cow-mates have already calved, she is eating for two:




A hermit's B and B? A secret hideaway? No, another tree root, this one mossed over:




Best not forget to make reservations on this highly-powered transport:




Whatever it is, it is not very high:





Lunch spot, with seating for one more:



Walking through the woods:




Having made good time on this stretch, we reached Drumnadrochit early enough to catch a 4:00 boat trip on Loch Ness. It was such a different experience to be on the water after seeing the loch from the distance of the path as a quiet, huge expanse of blue.

See the black blip on the peninsula: That is Urquart Castle, a most imposing fortress in its day:




Loch Ness from the boat:




Loch Ness suddenly becomes very deep close to shore, so the boat could draw near before making a turn. That bit was quite exciting because you think you are going to crash, but of course you don't. FYI, Loch Ness is way deeper than the North Sea:




The tower that was a speck when seen from the distance of the path:






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