Searching for Nessie

So today Dad and i headed to our tour of the Highlands. It was to be an epic day from 8am to 8.30pm, but i was determined to see Loch Ness and a taste of the Highlands. The tour left from the castle and there was 19 of us on the tour. Dad and i were the only Aussies. I would have been the youngest by about 10 years too. So we headed out. I had no idea where we were and was quite tired from getting up early so i didn't really listen closely to tour guide in the morning. His name was Alistair and he liked to be nicknamed Ally. It seems that every second guy in Scotland is called Alistair. We went passed Stirling Castle and the William Wallace monument. I hope to actually visit them at some point. We made a stop at Kilmahog and it was then that i started to feel colder. The scenery by this stage was quite beautiful. I got to meet Angus the highland cow. Funnily enough i was actually quite keen to see one of these cows. Sad? Yes.
Then back on to the bus for more travel through the highlands. As we headed through the landscape was rockier and the mountains bigger. I even started to see Lochs. We then stopped in Glencoe. The scene of some serious battle or something. Some MacDonald clan people were killed. I tuned out. Again, the landscape was quite spectacular. then back onto the bus en route to our next stop for lunch. We stopped at Fort William for lunch. There was not much to choose from but i have noticed that the Scots and perhaps UK-wide love their refrigerated sandwiches. It seems unusual to find a sandwich shop where they make them fresh! It was here that i bought a cashmere scarf for me and one for mum. I couldn't resist, they are beautiful. 20 pounds is too bad either. After a lunch of hot chips (to warm up!) and a sambo it was...yes you got it right...bus time!
Now we end up at Urquhart Castle and it's pretty cool. There's not much left of it but it's beautiful and i love how it's laid out besides the famous Loch Ness. The castle was destroyed in some war so there isn't much left of it but enough to figure out it's lay out and how it might have looked. Luckily the rain that was to come had not come at this point. So the skies were clear and great for photos. After looking around the castle we headed onto Loch Ness to search for Nessie. On the boat cruise i actually found myself looking for something in the waters even though i don't believe the story at all. I guess i got sucked in by the hype hey.
After a lovely half an hour cruise we were back on the bus for the long stretch home. We did get to break up the trip and stopped off in a small town for a snack. Given the time, about 6pm, we decided to just have dinner there. So fish and chips it was and it wasn't too bad at all. I was pretty tired by this point so i put my ipod on for the trip home to keep my awake.
We got into Edinburgh on time (shocking for a tour!) and then headed back to the apartment. After some television watching it was bed time. I might add that the TV in the apartment is shit. You really need digital. I so miss any American or Australian tele. I'm over BBC and all things Andy Murray.

Urquhart Castle along Loch Ness