Nairn to Oban via Loch Ness

 

5000yr Old Tree

After a big day travelling on the Monday we didn't go far on the Tuesday. Mom and dad insisted on going out so we went to see the oldest living tree Europe and maybe the world. The Fortingall Yew tree is 5000 yrs old and is in the yard of a church. (Well it was there first and a pagan symbol so they decided to build a church nearby.) Sadly they have had to put a wall around it as people suck. They were climbing over it and breaking off bits. It used to be 17m around but people used to set fires inside it and eventually used to walk and ride horses through the middle. 

Despite all the abuse it has suffered it is still alive and green. It was so lovely and humbling. This tree will have seen it all. 

The church was open and we went in. It is a very pretty little church. There used to be a 1000 yr old bell instead but someone stole it! People really suck!

Old bell tower

It was rainy on and off and cold so difficult to find outside places to go. So we ended up at Kenmore on the banks of Lock Tay where we could park looking out of the Loch. Dad and I went for a walk while mom had a nap in the car. 

View from the caravan

Loch and wood sculptures.

Sadly I don't have any photos from our weekend in Aviemore. Mom and dad both came down with covid on the saturday so they spent the weekend sleeping and I spent it looking after them. Luckily I had had covid 3-4 weeks before so I was still immune (I tested often and didn't catch it again). So I got to play nurse maid. (I am NOT a good nurse!)

I amused myself with some craft things I had brought with and the view form the lodge was pretty. I spent some time just watching the sheep. So it wasn't a complete loss.

View from the lodge balcony

We had to move to the last stop on the Monday so they had to get up. We had 8 hours to kill between leaving Aviemore and being allowed into the caravan at Tummel Bridge. I managed to find a few places which were outdoors, only short walks and on the way. 

The first stop was Loch Morlick which is not far outside Aviemore and has a beach. We took a walk and some photos. The weather was so different from last week. Autumn has arrived and it was really cold (below 5C). 

Nice little beach.

Even the ducks don't look too amused at the weather

I think they were cold. 

The second stop was was near Feshie Bridge which is (in theory) on the way to Tummel. We took the more interesting back roads. There is a park on the way which was a sculpture walk by an artist called Frank Bruce. Due to some high winds some the sculptures had been taken down which was a shame. But the ones we saw were cool. 

This one was a bit freaky

Most of the sculptures are created in wood and not varnished so they will eventually rot down back to where they came from which I thought was pretty cool. There were a couple of stone ones as well.

I did like the windy paths through the woods. Sadly it started to rain again (this was the worst day, weather-wise) and mom was really cold by the time we got back to the car. So we had our lunch and tea/coffee in the car. (It pays to be prepared and this is not the first time we have had sandwiches and a flash in the car watching the rain.) 

Trip to the Kyle of Lochalsh

On the friday we moved from the caravan in Nairn to a lodge in Aviemore but had the day to spend between places. 

In november 1984 mom and dad did a trip of the sleeper train up to Inverness and then got the steam train across to the Kyle of Lochalsh where they spent the week. Mom really wanted to do the train trip to the Kyle of Lochalsh again so we did it as a day trip as we were practically in Inverness anyway. In theory I was on the trip as well as mom was 7 maths pregnant with me at the time. I had a better view this time. 

The train trip on the way there was pretty busy and the view was ok, though we were on the wrong side to see the best bits. It took about 2.5 hrs to get there.

Sadly when we got there we realised there really wasn't much to do. And very few places open, even to get some food, and of course it started to rain on and off. We found a place to get some seafood (I have a very nice seafood salad) and thankfully the rain mostly held off while we were eating. We had a walk around and eventually ended up at a local pub for a drink while waiting for the train home. (The train are quite infrequent or we would have left earlier.) 

The port.

Looking towards the bridge to Skye in the distance.

Chilly.

I think most people going to the Kyle of Lockalsh are heading onwards to the Isle of Skye which is opposite. Which did mean the train was basically empty on the way back and we got to pick our seats to get the best view. Unfortunately mom started to feel unwell on the day back and ending up sleeping most of it. (Dad also had a nice long nap.) 

Thankfully the view was pretty good on the way back so I kept myself occupied taking photos. It was pretty dramatic at points. 

A really long trip to see not much when we got there, but some great views on route.

We got back to Inverness in the dark so I drive to Aviemore. We got to see a little of Inverness on a Friday night. They have a very hard working and apparently extensive police force! We were all very glad to arrive at the lodge. The drive was a bit scary in the pitch black (I didn't realise the head lights had been dipped down when dad washed the car which made it even more tricky) and mom was really not doing so well. 

We found out the next day she had Covid and dad came down with it later that day. :(  
Thankfully I had had it recently so could play nurse maid.