Day 5 - Inverness

We went on the Hop On Hop Off bus today.  

It was very cool and misty this morning and sitting on the upper deck of the open top bus was quite uncomfortable.  After doing most of the route, we got off Muirtown locks which is the second to last lock system before the Caledonian Canal reaches the Moray Firth and out into the north sea.  After breakfast in a canalside cafe we walked around the locks and watched a boat passing through.  Then we walked a little way along the canal side where there were a lot of boats moored.

The Caledonian Canal is 60 miles long and was built to provide a seaway between the East and West Coasts of Scotland.  Only 1/3 is man made with the rest made up of natural lochs, including Loch Ness and Loch Lochy.


 
Muirtown Lock system

 

 
Boats moored in Moray Firth side of the locks

We returned to the City Centre and looked around the old town before getting anohther bus to the Botanical Gardens where we had our lunch.  The sun had come out by now and it was very warm.  It was very well laid out and colourful with free entry.  There were 2 hothouses, loads of plants in flower and an area where project called "Grow" was being run.

 
Victorian Market

 
Unicorn Statue with Falcon Foundry building to the left.

 
The Town House

 
 
Cactus House

 
Acers at rock garden

 
Grow Project - Insect Hotel with succulent planted roof

 
Grow Project.

 
Rhodedendrons and bluebells.

 
Selfie at Botanical Gardens

 
Botanical Gardens

 
Aliums

We then caught the next bus to the Dochgarroch Lock which is where the canal enters Loch Ness.  Again we watched a few boats going through the lock before having a tea in the cafe.  


 
Dochgarroch Lock

 
Caledonian Canal looking towards Loch Ness

 
River Ness, which is 50m from the canal

 
Lockkeepers Cottage

 
Grey Wagtail at the lock


We had an evening walk along the river Ness to see some sights that we had not yet seen.  It was a beautiful evening and very warm.  We had a lovely meal in a restaurant near the guest house with an entertainer singing Scottish and Irish folk songs.  We really needed another day to see more of Inverness but off to Thurso in the morning.

 
Inverness skyline

 
Inverness Castle (currently under restoration)

 
St. Andrews Cathedral

 
Ness Bank Church

 
The 3 Graces (Faith, Hope & Charity)
rescued and restored after the original building 
that they stood on collapsed.

 
St Michaels Mount - church on a hill



 
Female Common Merganser

 
Male Common Merganser

 
Pre mating ritual of the Common Merganser Ducks


 
Common Merganser Ducks mating 
(not good as a post got in the way)


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