Fort William Bound - Day 18

 We said or goodbyes to Euan and Amy this morning and then prepared our luggage for our next leg of the journey. Car loaded, we bid Roger and Vicki goodbye with a big Thank You for letting us experience life at an antique store in Scotland. Buying, selling, picking up, dropping off and then various appointments, yoga, choir, dinners for Doris.... it's a busy place! 

 Our route retraced some of the drive we did yesterday as we skirted south of Nair, through Inverness and along the northwest side of Loch Ness. This is a more touristy route as the road on the other side of the lake is less traveled.

We stopped at a Loch Ness touristy spot and Kelly left a deposit to the national economy.    

Loch Ness

 We continued down the A82 through Fort Augustus and switched to the southeast side of Loch Lochy. A stop for lunch at the Spean Bridge Mill Restaurant.  Very good for a cafeteria style place!  

In the Mill restaurant. 

 We continued into Fort William and as we were early, we decided to go to the Glenfinnan Viaduct for a look around. Bad idea because thousands of tourists in Scotland were doing the same thing. No Parking anywhere... cars parked willy nilly on sidewalks etc... We went well past it and looked for a turnaround spot. Suddenly the steam train made famous by Harry Potter appeared and Kelly did her best to capture it. 

 The Hogwarts Express!!!!

 We managed a couple drive-byes and capture a glimpse of the viaduct.  

Lots of people..... after cropping :-) 

We headed back towards Evan and Liz's place near Banavie and found the turnoff. There was Liz waiting for us beside the road as it's a bit tricky finding the drive to their house.  

We were given a tour of the house and shown our bedroom & bath locations. Next was an offer of a drink and it was great!! 

 

Ben Nevis from the eating area of the house.

Before dinner I had a tour of the greenhouse and all it's goodies and Evan explained the work that was put into reading the land for the house build. All very interesting.  

 

A very nice dinner followed with plenty of conversation of grand kids and travels. We did a bit of planning for tomorrow as well.

 

Steps - 2,900  - lots of driving instead! 

 

Weather - 17ºc with broken cloud. Spit of rain here and there.