A clipper, Invermoriston and Culloden

We arrived at the canal this morning to see a 1914 Dutch Clipper about to ascend to the Caledonian Canal from Loch Ness, skippered by Clive Grey, who had abandoned a successful IT career to do something 'worthwhile'. He is refitting the ship to take a crew of 22 including some young people who need to learn a trade and have some goals in life. He is every bit the classical 'sailor'. Visit www.blythtallship.co.uk.

I include a pic of the lock-keepers--they have to work so hard to keep six sets of lock gates going.

At Invermoriston,

a place of lovely forests, waterfalls  and ancient (Telford) bridges, a kind lady in a craft shop, offered to make a couple of very simple wallets out of a piece of leather I had found in the shop, while we went and had some lunch.

Thoughtfulness still exists, in Scotland anyway!

Passing on to Culloden, we briefly saw the museum and also the battlefield. It's amazing how serious changes in entire  European history were decided by a few gruesome battles, between only a few hundred combatants--echoes far and wide.  Standing near us was a boy of about 8 years, wielding a long wooden toy Claymore sword, from the shop, making very dramatic gestures--it was a compelling reminder of the readiness of males to fight.

Finally the airport. The tiredness from driving all day (and all week) took its toll. In spite of being an experienced traveller, I completely forgot the penknife and filled water bottle in by carry on luggage ( both were rescued) and I chose to  overlook the new reg that says that catapults must not be placed in check-in bags. I'd look so silly taking it out!

On top of all that, the flight was delayed by over two hours, our pre-booked taxi was not there and we finally tumbled into our home at 2.00am.