Three Lochs circuit, South Loch Ness

Topping off my weeks holiday with a day away, escaping the rain and heading somewhere with a bit more sunshine!  After dropping off some baking to work for the cancer fundraiser, we headed off to Loch Ness for our chosen walk (not one we have done before).  The first loch to view was Loch Duntelchaig, with rugged heathery hills at the far end and farm fields at the other end (with two lovely belted galloway's).  A cow was also dipping its hooves into the water!  The first mile or so was along the single track road before heading off along a forest track which gave Ivor a good running opportunity.  The next loch was Loch Bunachton and here we navigated away from a field of cattle who were showing an unnatural interest in Ivor.

A good few miles after that we joined the single track road again, heading to Dunlichity Church, with the original building dating from 1758 and where, it is told, that soldiers sharpened their swords on the walls when heading to the battle of Culloden.  The oldest headstone I saw was 1774 but I'm sure if we stayed longer I might have seen one even older.  We stopped here for our coffee and took in the scene and Ivor enjoyed a wee treat lying on the grass.

Soon we headed off again and skirted Loch a' Chachain.  A mile or so on and we got back to the car, changed and headed to the Dores Inn for a tasty lunch.

8 miles / 2.5 hours

River Beauly and Lovat Bridge circuit

We have done this walk before but this time we had the pleasure of Ivor's company!  It was a lovely Autumn morning though still a wee bit chilly in the shade and Ivor was wearing his brand new winter coat (which soon came off when he spotted his first dog to run around with - which wasn't too long).  This walk is a dog walkers dream and Ivor found lots of wee pals to play with, especially two border collies who were equally as excited to play with him.  The three good things which go for this walk are (1) no livestock which means Ivor can run freely off the lead; (2) no main roads to worry about traffic and (3) the paths are in good condition, though that has probably been helped by the lovely dry spell we have had in the past week.

On the return leg, Ivor was exhausted having been running around with all the other dogs he met and when we got home later that afternoon (after a lunch at the Old School House in Beauly) he slept the rest of the day until bedtime!

Torachility woods and Loch Kinellan

We started the walk at Contin woods (aka Torachilty) and climbed up to a newly formed cycle track which would take us out to the top of Loch Kinellan.  Loch Kinellan is a peaceful place which has been crying out for a wee bench to sit and watch the wildlife... wait a minute.... there is now a bench!



Some thoughtful soul has created a wee memorial 'garden' including a bench in memory of a relative who died decades ago.  Very touching that they are still remembered after all these years. The bench has been sited at an angle giving the best views and on the day of the walk the sun was shining and it was warm. We stopped for our coffee as Ivor posed on top of the wall looking out for anything he could chase.