Loch Oich, Ness to Inverness

I must say I am not bowled-over by the scenery here. Lots of pine forests with the occasional modern house on the shores. Once, just once we saw a beautiful house at the end of Loch Oich. Very much in the French style and it got me wondering about the "special relationship" that predates the Bush-Blair mutual-admiration or even the Reagan-Thatcher love-fest by several hundred years, and I mean the understanding and alliance between the Scots and the French. Having given it some thought, perhaps they are united by their mutual disdain for the English who, as a nation, completely fail to pronounce their "r's".

Moored for Two Days in Inverness - Force 8 in Cromarty
View from the aft deck of a tough pub. Note bars on windows. Very friendly nonetheless.

One memorable visitor was a girl jogging up the tow-path with a beautiful rough-haired sandy lurcher, loping ahead of her. All the staff at the flight here were kind and helpful, and directed us to a great pub near the sea lock. More later when I can remember its name.

We took advantage of a quiet day to do some shopping and found butchers that does proper flank of lamb. Also they sell "fruit pudding", which is advertised as a speciality of the Orkneys; wheat flour, sultanas, spices and beef suet, more like a classic English savoury/sweet Georgian era pudding. Jack Aubrey would love it.
Another picture, of the view from the galley - not my favourite location but safe, warm and apart from a bit of a disturbance, no worries at all.

View from the galley window at Inverness.