DOLPHIN VIDEO

Sit back and watch the dolphins at Chanonry Point on the Black Isle. After about ten seconds into the film you'll see a dolphin playfully flick a fish, possibly a salmon, up into the air before eating it.
A very good visit for anybody staying at South Loch Ness Side.

Dolphins at Chanonry Point.

We have recently discovered the secret of just when to be sure of seeing the pod of bottlenose dolphins at Chanonry Point opposite Fort George on the Black Isle. Although we have been many times before we rarely see them except for the odd fin rapidly disappearing under the water.

In a local Inverness news booklet a nature enthusiast wrote that the secret is to be at Chanonry Point about one and a half to two hours after low tide. This is the prime time when the smaller fish come in on the rising tide and naturally these are pursued by the hungry dolphins.



We had to chose a day when the low tide times and the weather were just right. Yesterday it was a bright day with a slight warm breeze and the low tide was at 9 am. We left our home on South Loch Ness Side just after 9 and drove on the A9 over the Kessock Bridge and onto The Black Isle. Turned off right at Munlochy,although you can drive up further to the Tore roundabout and turned right,through the village of Avoch on into Fortrose. Drove on passing the Coop on the left and just opposite the Police Station we turned right down a narrow lane leading through the golf course and down to the car park at the coast - which was surprisingly almost full up at this early hour.This is about 33 miles from our home at Inverfarigaig on South Loch Ness Side and a one hour journey. We sat at the picnic tables with our breakfast and then walked round to the beach where there must have been a crowd of nearly 100 people armed with cameras and binoculars waiting for the show. Sure enough the pod of dolphins were already coming in on the tide and gave a marvellous display lasting a couple of hours.

                         Even saw a mother with her calf swimming side by side and staying very close together.

                          People on the special dolphin viewing boat were treated to a great display alongside.

An excellent visit and we are so fortunate to be able to see these magnificent creatures a short drive away from South Loch Ness Side. We now print out the tide times and leave them in our holiday cottage in the information folder on the desk by the laptop. I am now working on the video which will be posted soon.....so watch this space.

 

South Loch NessTrail Maps Online For Downloading

There has been a surge in camping and backpacking enquiries this summer, no idea why it should have increased in popularity so much but it is nice to see more people enjoying th egreat outdoors!. I personally love camping and have camped in some of the remotest places throughout the year in the past.

We have also seen many more touring cyclists this year especially down the south side of Loch Ness as the roads are quieter it is ideal for tourers and campers. The road on the south side is close to Loch Ness for most of the way and its easy to get down to the waters edge for a picnic or just to enloy, it really is a great place to spend a summer holiday and absolutely unbeatable when the weather is kind, though seasoned outdoor enthusiasts don't let the weather deter them! 

For those contemplating a Highland cycling or camping holiday, Loch Ness area is a good place to start looking, especially now we have new waymarked trail on the south side of the loch which extends almost the entire length of Loch Ness. Before you set off for the Highlands for your summer holiday check out the new trail route and download the South Loch Ness trail maps.    

New South Loch Ness Trail Launched

Today is the launch of the brand new South Loch Ness Trail a new trail which covers the entire length of Loch Ness. Running for nearly 30 miles through wild country and infinately variable terrain from open moors and craggy hills to forests and villages - it will prove to be a hit with all types of walkers, horse riders and bikers (not motorised).

You can read The trail story  and  trail info  on Destination Loch Ness website which comes with a series of downloadable maps for the entire route.  Perhaps the most exciting significance of this new trail is that now it is almost possible to circumnavigate Loch Ness entirely on dedicated paths by using the Great Glen Way down the North side and this new south Loch Ness Trail on the quieter south side.  The two trails are not yet linked but but for experienced walkers this should be a minor detail! which should not deter anyone from planning a full Loch Ness circuit, but it is a long term objective to link the two routes.

The new trail starts just up the hill from Fort Augustus! a very long uphill trudge on tarmac but once you get to the start it is a glorious 30 mile route with little in the way of shops or habitation for most of the way. The only shop on route is at Foyers so anyone planning to have a go at this route should carry some supplies with them and be prepared for overnight camping along the route. There is accommodation though and with careful planning you could do the walk without camping if that is not your bag! a good website to look for  accommodation on the South Loch Ness Trail is www.lochnesswelcome.co.uk  it is the official tourism website for South Loch Ness, other places to find accommodation on the trail is Visit Loch Ness    

Happy hiking!