This is one Walk (and Wednesday Pub Lunch) that doesn't start in the Car Park behind Costa in Maghull.
It was bound to happen at some point; we were on holiday in Scotland, staying at the The Alexandra Hotel in Fort William...
...and so, to keep our resolution we had to plan this walk.
Our 5.3578 miles (8.6226 km) route...
...has been saved and can be viewed at...
It was probably the easiest route to follow as we walked along the Great Glen Way.
Leaving the Hotel we headed, via the underpass towards the Fort William Rail Station. Once through the underpass we headed across Morrison's Car Park towards the round-about on the far side. Here, and throughout our walk, we found signposts with this symbol...
...on them.
Very little thought was required, just looking for such signs at junctions.
This meant that we could enjoy our surroundings far more, without having to look at maps.
The view, towards River Lochy, as we crossed the River Nevis, can be seen here...
...and looking upstream...
Soon after crossing the bridge we were taken left and, as you can see here...
...the signs were very clear. Foot bridges...
...took us over small streams past trees and bushes covered with lichens...
The power of water, from the Hydro-electric power station was impressive as it forced its way into the River Lochy...
Look at how high the water rises with the posts supporting a private walkway...
On the other side of the path, sheep and snow capped mountains; including Ben Nevis...
Before crossing the River Lochy, via a narrow footbridge...
...
we took a detour, under the railway line, to view the remains of Old Inverlochy Castle...
 |
| Old Inverlochy Castle |
 |
| Ruins |
 |
| How it was |
 |
| Moat now a grassy walkway |
 |
| Must have been impressive |
Then we returned to cross the footbridge...
Oyster Catchers were on most areas of grass...
As we approached the Canal, we could see the sawmill at the end of the loch; the one we had past, on the train journey the previous day...
Man made sculptures...
and more Oyster Catchers...
...plus beached boats
Just before heading up onto a tow-path we past the weir from the canal...
It was then up and onto the banks of the canal and the first locks...
This is a panorama taken from the tow-path...
...on the far side were some highland cattle...
...and before long we were at the foot of Neptune's Staircase...
 |
| A closer view of Neptune's Staircase |
We walked up the right-hand side of the staircase, where we saw small eco-systems...
...posters about the locks...
...to reach the view at the top lock...
 |
| Left bank |
 |
| Right bank |
It was then time to walk back down the other side of the locks and back across the railway line...
...where we saw the swing bridge in action.
A short way along Kilmallie Road we went into the Lochy Pub for lunch...
...we then caught a bus back to the hotel from the bus stop, a little further along the road.
No comments:
Post a Comment