A busy day in the Highlands - 1 August

Sailed around the top of Scotland overnight to Invergordon in the north east. This is a relatively small town with a significant industry in repair and refurbishment of oil and gas platforms from the North Sea - 5 in the port at present.

Early meet up with Gavin (6'8" Invergordon native) for our full day tour.  The delightful locwl ex-school teacher Joan is our guide for the day (son, daughter-in-law and two small grandchildren living in Newport) and we travel along the Cromarty Firth to Urquart Castle on Loch Ness. Beautiful rolling hills and a lot of just harvested barley.

Urquart Castle on the Loch is one of essentially preserved jagged ruins with great views - and dates back to the 13th century. It was once one of the largest strongholds of medieval Scotland, but this whole area originally dates to the Bronze Age when it was a stronghold of the Picts. We then caught a Jacobite boat trip through the Loch and down the Caledonian Canal to Dochgarroch Locks - brand new boat on its inaugral trip with passengers (and pretty much just our group of 32). Alas, no sign of "Nessie"!!

Off the boat and into Inverness, a beautiful 6th century city (the largest city in the Highlands and the northernmost in the UK) at the mouth of the River Ness. Although it has been hot and dry, there was rain a couple of days back and everything is green again.  Today is about 17C with good sunshine. The locals tell me it is a typical summer day.  Very nice High Street with small malls off to the sides. Impressive castle on top of the town - the law courts.

On then to the Culloden Battlefield, site of the final battle between the Jacobite forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the British Army in 1746 - a disaster for Charlie and his forces, including the many Highland Clans supporting him, and putting an end to the Scots bid for freedom. This is a first class exhibition and site of the Scottish National Trust.

Our final stop was at the bronze age Clavacairns. The burial cairn and standing stones are estimated to have been here since around 2000BC and have gained huge interest since the Outlander books and tv series. This was a very peaceful environment in which to partake of Joan's whisky tasting.

Can highly reccomend Invergordon Tours. Privately owned local business with enthusiatic owner - and get Joan for your guide if you can.

Italian night tonight in the Allegro Dining Room. Plenty of pasta and seafood on the menu. Another great show in the Princess Theatre with instrumental vocalist Ollie Mulkeen, followed by Irish comedian George Casey in the Vista Lounge. Very funny, but best avoid the front row seats!!