5th day: Wed 6/10/10: Inverness,Cairn Gorm Mountain,Loch Ness Cruise

Another ambitious day of stuffing all in a day. The night before, a kind room mate used his computer to surfed net for the local bus timetable from Aviemore to Caingorm. That gave me confidence that I could visit Cairngorm in the morning and back in time for Loch Ness cruise in the evening :)

Cairn Gorm mountain at Ranger Base, with fierce wind and 8 degree celcius temperature

CairnGorm mountain garden with Camera Obscura

View from the Viewing Terrace at Ptarmigan railway stop 

                                            View when funicular train going down the mountain

To go to Cairn Gorm, one has to go to Aviemore town and get a local Cairn Gorm explorer bus to reach the Ranger base. Then you can choose to hike up the mountain on foot or ride a funicular train with 2km long track to reach Ptarmigan, the highest railway station in UK. Due to lack of time, I chose the train of course. Paid GBP 9.75 for return but no mountain access. Have to pay more if want mountain access but since I have lack of time, that was not needed. One can also choose for a walking tour with a guide. The temperature at Ranger Base was 8*C!!! The wind was so strong that I was blown sideway off course and my hands shook during photo taking. I had to snap photos real fast so that I could dunk my hands back into the gloves. Cairn Gorm does hold the UK record for highest wind speed ( equivalent of hurricane category 5)!  Is a popular place for snowsport during winter.


Cairngorm is the 6th highest mountain in UK and it separates the Highlands from the lowlands. There is difference in culture, tradition and language between the north and south. There were stories of Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui sighted here too! (like Yeti).


The first train runs at 1020am so I went up the staircase to visit the the Cairngorm mountain garden and Camera Obscura (an ancient type of "camera" that capture 360* live view of the surrounding). Met a friendly staff there who is so experience and informative.There is less than 5 Camera Obscura in Scotland. There is one in Edinburgh too. For the Camera Obscura to have the best effect, sunshine is much needed and less wind of course. 


Hopped into the first train and visited the Information Centre. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the information and hence not much time left to enjoy porridge in the cafe (World Porridge day) or shopping in the gift shop. The scenery from Viewing Terrace was captivating. Began to worry that I might miss the bus from Cairngorm ranger base to Aviemore. To go back in time for the cruise, I need to catch a 1230noon bus from Aviemore to  Inverness! I met a very kind Scottish couple from Arran during the ride down to Ranger base. We were in the same coach and I asked for their help for a lift to Aviemore. Henry and Margo are ever so warm and friendly. Later as we chatted, I came to know that Henry is the only bagpipes maker in Arran (there is less than 20 skilled maker in Scotland) and Margo works in the tourist center there. Because of their kindness, I had time to go to Tesco Aviemore to buy lunch. Small town really has got its perk. 10 hot chicken wings at 50pence! So cheap. Finished them while waiting for my bus.


Arrived at Inverness with time to spare. Paid for the Jacobite Loch Ness tour at the bus station but was charged 50p more. If paying the driver or buy online it is GBP21 for Temptation tour (2.5hr, 1 hour on coach,only half hr of boat along Loch Ness, include 1hour  tour to Urquhart Castle). It was drizzling and cold. But a lot of tourists!!! Sat on the left side of the coach to see the beautiful view along Loch Ness. Reached Clansman Harbour to board the cruise boat "Jacobite Spirit" :)

It was raining and very windy. A morning cruise would probably fare better as it rains every evening in the Highlands. The view along Loch Ness was ok (photo below) and of course shy Nessie did not appear. Next photo is of Urquhart Castle from the boat.

Had one hour visit in Urquhart Castle, a medieval castle with bloody history.

 After the cruise, walked around Inverness town and along river Ness. Would love to visit Inverness Castle (above) but it is closed at 5pm. So I walked on both sides of River Ness. The view was gorgeous. And the weather was perfect for a walk.

Lovely autumn colour crept in along River Ness (below)

View of River Ness from the hilltop where the Inverness Castle is situated. (below) Climbed a steep but small hilltop to the castle. Met Gary outside the castle, a doctor from America who is doing volunteering work in Bihar, India. He is involved with the immunization program there. He kindly offered to take photo for me and I  took a photo of him since he has no camera and promised to send a photo of him via email later. Americans are friendly lot.

Ness bridge at night is more beautiful than daytime view. (below)

Finished the night by shopping for food in Tesco and slept early...