Boat at Gairlochy

I thought this boat looked lovely, especially with its clear reflection. The photo was taken at Gairlochy.

Shinty Match - Saturday 2nd October

This photo was taken at our first ever Shinty match, which was between Glen Urquhart & Lovat. The photo is of the 'throw up' which happens at the beginning of the match and after everygoal.

Glen Urquart who are in North Division Two, took the title with a win, 2-1 at home to Lovat.

Paul at the Start

This is Paul at the start on Monday evening, next to the information board.

Lynn and Paul in the Shinty Goal

On our first day in Fort William we passed by a Shinty pitch and took each others photograph in the Shinty goal. A shinty goal is 12' wide x 10' tall.

Shinty is a team sport played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Highlands of Scotland, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis and other areas in the world where Scottish Highlanders migrated.

Whilst comparisons are often made with field hockeys, the two sports have several important differences. In shinty, a player is allowed to play the ball in the air and is allowed to use both sides of the stick. The stick may also be used to block and to tackle, although a player may not come down on an opponent's stick, a practice called hacking. A player may tackle using the body as long as this is shoulder-to-shoulder as in football.

Paul in the shadow of some 'big hills'

This photo was taken at Corpach which is were the Caledonian Canal starts.

Behind Paul is 'Meall an t-Suidhe' with 'Ben Nevis' disappearing into the clouds behind it.

Paul is actually standing on a bridge which is on top of the loch gates.

Paul and I have been here a few times on our own as well as with his parents. You always seem to get a nice view.

How now brown cow!

This highland breed of cow did not look at all impressed to see us and went straight back to munching its grass!!

The highland breed of cattle has a long and distinguished ancestry, not only in its homeland of western Scotland, but also in many far-flung parts of the world. One of Britain's oldest, most distinctive, and best known breeds, with a long, thick, flowing coat of rich hair and majestic sweeping horns, the Highlander has remained largely unchanged over the centuries. Written records go back to the 18th century and the Highland Cattle Herd Book, first published in 1885, lists pedigrees since that time.

Lighthouse

Lighthouse at Corpach, which is quite near our b&b where we stayed on our first night.

The CORPACH lighthouse is located at the entrance to the CALEDONIAN CANAL, 3 miles from the highland town of Fort William, Scotland, power boats and sailing yachts travel from Corpach on Loch Linnhe on the west coast of Scotland through the Great Glen, Loch Ness to Inverness on the east coast of Scotland.

60 miles total length and with 29 locks, the canal was completed in 1822, it is twinned with the Canadian RIDEAU canal.

Picture taken from the Train - Scottish Youth Hostel Corrour

This is a lovely looking youth hostel which is right next to Corrour train station, which is the Glasgow to Malaig line.

Text from the SYHA website: 'A beautiful Swedish designed Station House built in 2000 to provide comfortable accommodation and a welcoming restaurant serving residents and the many visitors to the area. Located at the side of the tracks on the West Highland Line you will arrive to the door from the Glasgow or Fort William train'.

Looks and sounds lovely,We wouldn't mind going there sometime.

Another train, another train station

Another train, another train station. After 3 trains, 7+ hours of travelling I lost count of how many stations we might have passed! Thankfully this is the last of the 3 trains we got on Monday.

From Our Train Window - Falkirk High

This could be a school as well as a train station!

Off We Go!!

Off to Fort William today. My hubby and I are walking to Inverness along the Caledonian Canal following the Great Glen Way.

Made it to Glasgow station on time. This is my hubby dashing for the train! The other photo is of Edinburgh station. I will keep you posted as we go along.