Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
yet, conclusive proof has not been forthcoming. Allocation of the scientific name
Nessiteras
rhomboideus
seems premature. Perhaps some of the sightings can be put down to the waves
that form momentarily on the loch, which can look very black when seen against the light, as
is the case for people on the A82.
The Loch Ness 2000 and Original Loch Ness Monster visitor centres in Drumnadrochit put
the case for the monster. The findings of a 20-year scientific study said there are only 20-30t
of fish in the loch, so they would not be able to support more than 2-3t of monsters. The
surface temperature only rises above 12˚C for four months of the year, so the suggestion is
that people are probably seeing an occasional cold water fish migrating in from the sea. The
preferred option is the sturgeon. It can grow to over 4m long and weigh in at 100kg, possibly
getting lost from time to time while trying to find suitable breeding waters.
The west shore rises to 501 m at scree-coated Carn a'Bhodaich but the east side of the loch
is now lower. The width halves abruptly at Dores with a ridge bearing the Kinchyle of Dores
stone circle and then Aldourie Castle, nearly at the end of the loch at Bona Ferry. Loch Doch-
four leads back into canal dimensions after passing Alban Water.
Looking up Loch Lochy on a wild day with large waves despite the relatively small size of the loch
.
The River Ness leaves to the right over the long sloping Dochfour Weir and then is fol-
lowed by the canal for some distance. After Dochgarroch Lock, two sets of powerlines cross.
A stone circle and Ness Castle are before and after them, respectively, but hidden in the trees
on the far side of the river.
Arrival in Inverness, Gaelic for mouth of the noisy river, is announced by the Inverness
Rowing Club on the canal.
Whin Park has the relocated 30m-span Dredge-style General's Well suspension footbridge
within it. This now supports a people-carrying model railway. Tomnahurich Swing Bridge,
also sometimes known as Bught Bridge carries the A82 across for the last time. An isolated,
steep, tree-covered hill on the east bank forms the attractive Tomnahurich cemetery, opposite
a golf course. The 17th century prophet Brahan Seer had predicted that fully rigged ships
would sail inland this way. Ahead, Craig Phadrig has a forest trail near the site of the 4th
