Our cruise around the UK continued from Orkney into the Highlands of Scotland. We berthed at Invergordon in the Cromarty Firth after sailing through part of the Moray Firth. It was such a thrill to see with my own eyes the area where I set HIS HIGHLAND HEART. We drove through Dingwall and Beauly (where I got a glimpse but not a good picture of the historic Beauly Priory) on our way to Urquhart Castle. I highly recommend a visit there. It’s a gorgeous spot. From Loch Ness, we passed through the nearby village of Drumnadrochit on our way through Inverness and back to the ship.
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The Cromarty Firth, home to Clans Ross and Munro in HIS HIGHLAND HEART. Sadly, part of it has become a place to store, rehab or tear down North Sea oil platforms. Fortunately, much of the firth, and most of the surrounding countryside is still breathtakingly beautiful. |
| Munro country along the Cromarty Firth |  |
| The Lovat Arms Hotel in Beauly, home of the historic Beauly Priory. Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat, figures prominently in OUTLANDER and of course in Jacobite history. |  |
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Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness in the Great Glen – one of the most beautiful and most atmospheric places in Scotland. |
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Perhaps Nessie tracks?
And other denizens! The sign says “Nessie isn’t the only beast around here! Please steer clear of our Highland Cows.” |
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| Along the river Ness in Inverness |  |
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Inverness Castle |
| Invergordon Pipers ready to send us on our way to Dundee. |  |
| Leaving Cromarty for the Moray Firth beyond those bluffs. |  |
Next stop: South to Dundee and nearby. I’ll visit the place where Scottish Kings were crowned. Check back soon for more!