A walk in Inverness (7.8 miles).
Anne and I took the car down to Alness and we caught the 9.26 number 25 bus to Inverness (actually it came about 9.35). We went into Ashers at the bus station and had something to eat and drink. I had a slice of millionaire shortbread and milk. We also used the toilet there at a cost of 30p each!
We came down from Farraline Park to Chapel Street and then the two lanes School Lane and Church Lane to get to the old iron suspension bridge across the River Ness. This is coming down School Lane and the spire showing is of the Free North Church which was my father’s last charge.
The Free North Church with the suspension bridge ahead, from Church Lane.
This is the Old High Church just beside the Free North Church.
The Old High Church and the Free North Church from the other side of the Ness.
We followed the river down to it’s mouth and then went round and down to Carnarc Point.
At the point.
We then headed to the pier at South Kessock and the Merkinch Nature Reserve. Here we followed the path out to the canal and it was now open! We had tried to do this walk twice last year but the path was closed.
We were able to get through the gates and cross the railway line. This has been closed for some time.
At Clachnaharry we headed out to the start of the Caledonian Canal. This is the old signal box for the railway.
Here is where the canal enters the sea, at the Beauly Firth. My photos tend to lean!
Looking to the Kessock Bridge.
I took this picture to show the decaying keel of an old sailing ship. I wonder where it sailed to, what it carried and who sailed on it? Why and when was it abandoned here?
We came to Muirtown and diverted to the COOP to use the toilet there and to purchase a picnic. We were arranging our day as it progressed. From Muirtown we followed the canal to Tomnahurich. We crossed the canal to get a picnic table and stopped for a rest and to eat.
We then went to the Bught Park and used the public toilet there. Looking back to the swing bridge over the canal and Tomnahurich Cemetery, behind. It’s an amazing cemetery on a hill.
Don’t know what this bird is. I’m no ornithologist.
And then headed back to the ‘city’ centre via the Islands. This is a beautiful part of the city.
That is supposed to be some work of art, crazily funded by Highland Council.
The cathedral.
Faith, Hope and Charity. (1 Corinthians 13: 13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. ‘Charity being’ the old English word for ‘love’.
The castle.
The town hall has been recently renovated and looks fantastic.
A strange view of the castle.
We got back to Farraline Park via the Victorian Market and managed to get the 1.45 number 25 bus back to Alness.
Our senior citizen bus passes are an amazing thing – the golden tickets.
Crossing the Cromarty Firth looking towards home.
It will be great when this pandemic is over and we don’t have to wear face coverings in public places. I agree with following the rules and get a bit annoyed with those on their high and mighty horses who refuse to cooperate. Many people have died. We should respect other people’s and our own health. Of course the people who believe in a flat earth also believe there is no pandemic. You cannot reason with them. I have had the three vaccines and am grateful.
Well this was another fantastic day for January. I had to de-ice the car before leaving home but the day turned out like a Spring day. This is a wonderful walk in our Highland Capital. A lovely time.