Loch Ness Blog

My little piece of Scotland.

2008-09-23T12:26:00.006+01:00

We were very surprised and extremely pleased to see the following article in the 'Scotland on Sunday' newspaper.It was written by a very special young guest who regularly visits Aspenwood Cottage with mum,dad and gran. Youngsters between the ages of 5-12 were asked to write an article for the newspaper explaining where their favourite piece of Scotland was and why.
Megan's article was printed last Sunday and reads as follows:-

My little piece of Scotland - Inverfarigaig
You can see squirrels and deer from your bed in Inverfarigaig and you might even spot Nessie if you look hard enough.

MY SPECIAL place in Scotland is Inverfarigaig, on the south side of Loch Ness. I go there two or three times a year, to a place called Aspenwood. It has a great view of the loch and the hills on the other side.
When we arrive, there are always sweets for me, a biscuit for my dog and champagne for my mum, dad and gran as well as a nice note from the owners. There's an enormous kitchen for baking, and my room looks on to some woods where we often see red squirrels scampering around and sika deer wandering down towards the loch. We call my bedroom window Squirrel TV, and sit on the bed looking out to see what the wildlife is up to.
Mum and dad's room has a balcony. We sometimes sit out on it, even if it's cold, and play cards or Scrabble.
Once or twice I've seen a rainbow over Loch Ness, which looks magical. At night, there are no street lights, so the stars are amazingly bright. Tornado jets fly over every other day, and the noise is ear-bursting! Perhaps the racket they make is too much for Nessie, which is probably why we've never seen her.
My family and I go walking in Inverfarigaig forest. I found a tiny loch at the top of the hill, called Lochan Torr an Tuill. It has lily pads on it and trees shading the clear water, and there's even a table with a bench to sit on for a picnic. If it's rainy, I bake or paint with my gran, or we make cards for our friends.
I love Loch Ness because it is so full of mystery. Once, I found the skeleton of a sheep's head on the shore. I'm sure Nessie must have sneaked up on the sheep and devoured it.

One time, I tried to build a dam across the loch. I didn't manage it, but I did make a small pier of stones so I could walk out a little further and look for Nessie.

I still haven't spotted her.

By Megan Hammell(12),
Edinburgh
SCOTLAND on SUNDAY
Published Date: 21 September 2008.

Local Heroes on Loch Ness.

2008-09-16T11:35:00.002+01:00

Press report from the Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat...with photo.
14th September 2008

Local Heroes on Loch Ness.

Two off duty Lifeguards came to the rescue of a 21 year old woman who suffered a suspected spinal injury in a water ski accident on Loch Ness this afternoon . Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat team launched and arrived on scene with an RAF rescue helicopter from Lossiemouth.The original incident was witnessed by the off-duty Lifeguards, Laura Munro and Mhairi Burns, who quickly recognised the need to immobilise the injured woman until emergency teams arrived.The three people in the water were sheltered by the quick thinking skipper of the fishing boat "Asbo".Ross Edwards, RNLI Loch Ness volunteer Helm, says."The two off-duty lifeguards and the skipper of the fishing boat did a magnificent job in providing vital stability and reassurance to the young woman." "The crews of the Jacobite tourist boats, understanding the seriousness of the incident, kept their boats at an absolute crawl, minimising the possibility of their wake disturbing the casualty, a highly commendable action."The young woman was placed in a Spinal Board by the lifeguards and RAF Winchman, Mark Dean and the Loch Ness RNLI crew, Howie Whyte and Vivian Bailey. She was then airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for further assessment and treatment.RNLI volunteer crewman, Howie Whyte heard about the incident when he was taking tourist passengers on a trip on the loch. He immediately brought the boat, "Nessie Hunter" back into harbour and ran to the lifeboat station. His surprised but supportive passengers were taken care of and given a complimentary trip out on the research vessel "Deepscan" skippered by John Minshull. This arrangement is typical of all loch users and boat owners keen to support the RNLI and the work of its volunteer crews.The Loch Ness RNLI team give their sincerest thanks to all the people involved in today's incident.

Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since April 2008.

Loch Ness is Scotland's only Inland Lifeboat.

To learn more about the lifeboat station go toLoch Ness RNLI website

Loch Ness from Dores beach.

2008-09-08T15:37:00.002+01:00

After a chilly night we woke up to a clear blue sky. Went into the city of Inverness this morning on business and found the city still very busy. On our return journey we couldn't resist pulling in and parking by Loch Ness beach at Dores village. The view down to Fort Augustus enveloped on either side by mountains was amazing. We enjoyed a casual stroll along the crescent shaped shingle beach.Click here for more Ness facts and for the full journey around Loch Ness.

Heather on the hills.

2008-09-01T08:04:00.000+01:00

The colourful scene of purple scottish heather blooming on the hills and mountain slopes is always a welcoming sight and it will now continue to bloom until the first frosts arrive.
It also provides essential food and shelter for many species of deer, grouse and smaller mammals who inhabit the Highlands of Scotland.

'Lord of the Glens'.

2008-08-21T18:46:00.000+01:00

The weather this past week has been quite gloomy with a low cloud base, showery, murky and generally miserable. Today it is pouring with rain and I can just see across to the other side of the loch where 'The Fingal' activity barge is progressing slowly back through the mist heading for Inverness. The weather doesn't seem to deter the hardy sailors out onto Loch Ness and several yachts and cruisers have braved the elements. The cruise liner 'Lord of the Glens' has been busy taking passengers from Inverness through the lochs of the Great Glen down to Fort William and beyond to the islands. Sunshine is promised for tomorrow !

Pine marten comes to Aspenwood Cottage

2008-08-15T09:35:00.001+01:00

Sitting comfortably in our lounge last night absorbed in a TV programme when we heard a scratching at the patio door. Thought it was one of the cats demanding to be let in and got up to be the doorman but.....surprise surprise.....saw it was a young pine marten on the top step. Our guests last week said they saw the elusive pine marten on the bank behind Aspenwood Cottage and were thrilled. We followed it from room to room it as it ran playfully around the outside of the house exploring every nook and cranny and watched as it even cheekily sat on top of the cats kennel right by the back door - luckily the cat flap was locked for the night. Both cats were fast asleep on the sofa and oblivious to all the excitement going on outside. Luckily pine martens prefer easier targets and much smaller prey...mice,voles and even red squirrels so the cats would have given it a hiss, a spit and a growl and seen it on its way. It was moving too quickly to take a photo this time but here's one I prepared earlier.

Fingal Barge.

2008-08-11T08:13:00.000+01:00

Went for a stroll along Dores beach and watched the Fingal activity barge glide silently down Loch Ness and dock in Dores Bay. It is a very popular vehicle offering a wide range of activities and is a frequent visitor along the loch. As we were driving to Dores we passed a group of canoeists on the water, no doubt making their way to the Fingal to be collected for the next part of their adventure. Weather has been quite fair in the Highlands this week although other parts of Scotland have experienced heavy rain....Loch Ness is working its magic !

Fun on Loch Ness.

2008-08-04T15:48:00.003+01:00

The weather over the weekend was warm and breezy with the odd refreshing shower which enticed more colourful yachts and cruisers onto the water of Loch Ness - some even enjoyed a spot of fishing.

Red squirrel enjoying lunch.

2008-07-23T09:43:00.000+01:00

On Saturday as we were cleaning the holiday cottage we looked out of the lounge window and noticed a cheeky red squirrel helping himself to the nuts from the bird feeders.He stayed for about twenty minutes,delicately removing the outer husks and then chomping on the nuts inside.After a drink at the bird bath he scampered back into the forest at the side of the cottage....a magical sight.

Honeysuckle everywhere.

2008-07-19T12:38:00.000+01:00

This year the wild honeysuckle is really growing in profusion. The plants can be seen everywhere, delicately winding their tendrils in the hedgerows and around the branches of trees. They produce a riot of colour and emit beautiful fragrant scents into the air.

Young red squirrels at play.

2008-07-14T11:23:00.005+01:00

A family of a mother and her young 3 red squirrel 'kittens' have been regular visitors to the nut feeders for the last few weeks...even saw one of them this evening on the nut feeders as we were welcoming our new guests into the holiday cottage and they were thrilled. We have never seen so many red squirrels in the local area as we have in 2008 and they are now regular visitors to the nut feeders every morning... still can't stop being captivated by their antics.

Boating craft take to the water.

2008-07-07T15:24:00.005+01:00

The beginning of July has seen alot more boating craft of all different shapes and sizes take to the water of Loch Ness. The weather has been quite fair and we did not have the torrential rain predicted by the forecasters...in fact it was quite pleasant and we sat out and enjoyed watching the boats pass by.

Just Hanging around.....

2008-07-01T08:30:00.000+01:00

The red squirrels can be very acrobatic and entertaining in their quest for food and are often seen on the nut feeders in the early morning.
They have rather short front legs but long hind legs which are a great aid for leaping about among the branches and away from any danger. They also have amazing sharp claws which can be extremely useful when hanging almost upside down as this cheeky one demonstrates.

Birdlife.

2008-06-27T13:33:00.002+01:00

Lots of bird activity in the garden this week - with the usual arrivals of siskins, chaffinches, robins, dunnocks, blackbirds and most members of the tit family. Our first baby robins have been spotted on the bird table and a collared dove came to sit on the roof of the bird house. The great spotted woodpecker has landed on the nuts very fleetingly and the hungry sparrowhawk has been zooming around and scattering all the bird life for hours.
We have seen two quite rare visitors. The first was a pair of brightly coloured bullfinches flitting about on the shrubbery and eating the young blueberries.

Yesterday afternoon we spotted the magnificent osprey hovering over Loch Ness right in front of the house. Unfortunately it was quickly attacked by a family of hooded crows who are nesting nearby. Even though it was much bigger it conceded to the rowdy gang and flew away.
On both occasions I had to be very quick with the camera and only had time to take one photo.

Red squirrels.

2008-06-24T12:32:00.003+01:00

Red squirrels are frequent visitors to the nut feeders. Guests at the cottage have watched one sitting on the fence and carefully taking nuts out of the feeders washed down with a drink from the bird bath.It has been a very good year for red squirrels. They must have bred well last year as well as having access to a local plentiful food supply.

Loch Ness Lifeboat.

2008-06-18T15:41:00.003+01:00

Been in touch with the new RNLI Lifeboat team based at Temple Pier at Drumnadrochit near Urquhart Castle and they kindly sent more photos and an update of some of their recent rescues. They certainly do a grand job on Loch Ness. From where we live - on the shore of Loch Ness - we often see people on boats not really understanding how dangerous the enchanting and inviting deep waters of the loch can be.

New RNLI lifeboat on Loch Ness.

2008-06-16T08:06:00.003+01:00

On Saturday morning we had great excitement when the huge yellow RAF Search and Rescue helicopter whizzed over Loch Ness near the village of Inverfarigaig churning up the waters. On closer investigation we realised it was co-ordinating with the new RNLI lifeboat on the water beneath it.
Launched in April 2008 Loch Ness is now home to the first RNLI lifeboat on the inshore waters of Scotland and it is the first time in 13 years that the RNLI has placed a lifeboat in a new location in Scotland.The joint training exercise with the RAF Search and Rescue helicopter involved the existing local volunteer lifeboat crew undertaking a variety of training exercises as well as operating with the winch.
After actually Publishing this blog I received the following email from the Lifeboat Press Officer/Loch Ness Lifeboat Crew Martin Douglas ...."I have attached a picture taken from the support boat that was acting as a floating base for our relief crew. I took the picture whilst awaiting my turn to drive in the 'Big Wash' ". Thanks for the photo Martin.
See the rescue teams in action.

Red squirrel in the garden.

2008-06-11T07:24:00.000+01:00

A cheeky red squirrel had fun and games in the garden early this morning. He had a good look at all the colourful garden ornaments under the bird table and even sat on the head of the concrete squirrel, knocking it over in his quest for peanuts. He quickly found the feeders above him and enjoyed his nutty breakfast. After a long feed he raced down and seemed to look for mischief, his beautiful long tail flying behind him in the breeze. He ran around on the ground for a while and then scampered up to explore the green garden bench.

Sunset on Loch Ness.

2008-06-04T12:56:00.000+01:00

A smashing day in the Highlands yesterday and had a very pleasurable day in Inverness for our business and shopping duties. After dinner as we sat outside talking over our day we witnessed a wonderful sunset at 10.45pm -amazing how it's staying lighter later....experience what we saw.

Oh Deer.

2008-06-03T08:17:00.001+01:00

This handsome youngster was a welcome visitor to the garden area near the cottage last Saturday morning.We are pretty sure it is a male deer as the downy antlers are now beginning to be quite prominent.We are always amazed by their huge ears.He was quite curious and allowed us to take several photos before bounding back to mum.

They both seemed very happy and content munching away in the warm sunshine.

Boat Race on Loch Ness

2008-05-30T18:08:00.003+01:00

Witnessed an unusual spectacle on Loch Ness yesterday morning as about 40 various boating craft including The Fingal activity barge and many colourful sailboats passed in front of the house and went down the loch from Fort Augustus to Urquhart Castle.When we went into Inverness later in the morning we saw them tacking back and forth in and around Urquhart Bay . Looked as if everybody was enjoying themselves in this friendly event.Luckily for those with sails the wind was coming from the southwest along The Great Glen.

Osprey over Loch Ness.

2008-05-27T08:00:00.001+01:00

There are carpets of wild bluebells covering the forest floor and colouring the roadside verges.Encouraged me to fill the hanging baskets and tubs around the garden and pray that the deer leave them alone.Several deer have been very near the house and also down the front bank 'mowing' the grass for us.The sunshine seems to bring out more wildlife than usual and the weekend weather has been very bright and breezy.Enjoyed a rare sighting of the osprey hovering over the loch - a regular visitor to Loch Ness since we have lived here for the past 12 years and we look out for it from April to August.The ospreys at Boat of Garten have produced a chick and it is fascinating following their progress. Bird life at the feeders has quietened down and we wait for the first youngster to appear.The grey heron occasionally flies by and has been seen standing on the narrow jetty beyond Farigaig pier.Red squirrels leap along the tree logs on the front bank which are waiting to be chopped up ready for winter fires.Enough talk of winter - let's enjoy the warm weather and all the pleasures that come with it.

Red squirrels.

2008-05-25T10:00:00.000+01:00

Red squirrels have been spotted in Farigaig Forest and appear to have great fun chasing each other up and down the trees and playing amongst the bluebells in the undergrowth. They are very quick and do not stop to pose for a photo!

Fun for everybody on Loch Ness

2008-05-22T15:47:00.003+01:00

The activity on Loch Ness has increased during the month of May with boating craft of all shapes and sizes taking to the water.The Fingal activity barge was moored in Dores Bay and passengers were being ferried to the shore, possibly to The Dores Inn but we can't say for sure!
Over the weekend it was quite sunny and bright but with a cool north-easterly breeze and the yachts took full advantage of the wind behind their sails and crashed up and down on the choppy white waves. Others were just out enjoying the peace and quite of the loch and hoping for a catch or two.

River Oich Forest Trail.

2008-05-13T16:20:00.005+01:00

Loch Ness was shrouded in early morning haar mist but as we drove over the mountains and down to Fort Augustus the mist slowly cleared and the sun emerged through the clouds. Several boating craft were in the lock gates including two yachts crewed by the sea scouts who were having a fine old time judging by the noise and laughter.
Drove a little further along and up to the River Oich Forest Walk Trail. Enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the forest of very tall trees listening to the birdsong and then took the trail down to the River Oich where the bluebells and gorse were growing in profusion along its banks. On the return journey we spotted several stags and hinds on the open moorland on higher ground.