Well fortified with a full Scottish Breakfast, we set out for Inverness, traveling along the Great Boundary Fault, which separates the northern Highlands from the rest of Scotland.
The drive through the Glencoe Valley and beyond was a particularly lovely one, despite the rain, which limited our ability to stop and record it. Perhaps another trip, spending more time in the Highlands is called for. As we rounded a bend, Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain on the island, loomed into view.
Loch Ness
Stopped at the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibit to bide our time awhile, as we were a little early for our vacation rental. A well done video exhibit put to rest all Nessie fantasies (which neither of us had entertained since the age of 12 or thereabouts). Apart from the critter’s camera shyness and no one’s having produced any credible evidence, the most compelling fact against its existence is the lack of food in the lake, vegetable or animal, that would support such a creature.
The exhibit, however, made one appreciate the particular ecology and geology of the lake and indeed of Scotland. Ironically, much of the knowledge about Loch Ness was acquired while searching for Nessie. We hadn’t realized how many extensive studies and thorough explorations have been made of the lake.
Drumsmittal School
We arrived late afternoon to Drumsmittal School, a conversion with an annex for guests. Our rental is really a full-sized house: two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen, & a separate laundry room with washer but no dryer, beautifully finished. No tub, unfortunately. While the apartment was much larger than expected or than we absolutely needed, we enjoyed having the space, especially the dedicated laundry room and being able to use the second bedroom as a drying room.
It’s very quiet, both because it is set among fields, where only baaing and bird cries, and the very occasional car noise break the silence, and because it is very well insulated. (The owner and remodeler, Donny, once had a sound studio here.) He says he was born on Lewes and spoke only Gaelic until he was six. His children attended Drumsmittal School, and when it was deaccessioned, he leapt at the chance to buy it. He and Ellie are charming people, who made sure we had everything we needed. We enjoyed chatting with them.
