We left to go home, but stopped in Inverness for a walk on the way. We parked near the River Ness, and started by crossing to the islands and walking along them.
We followed the river north for a bit, then crossed through the streets to the Caledonian Canal to walk back.
As we got to a swing bridge it opened to let a boat through.
We returned to the van and drove down the A9 home. There was a crash at the Dunkeld junction which held us up for a while, but we arrived just after 5pm.
We left the site this morning, and drove to the end of the peninsula forming the southern shore of Loch Ewe. This was used as the base for the Atlantic Convoy in World War 2. At the end, past the tiny village of Cove, is the gun battery that was used to defend it from attack.
We had a walk round, it was very windy there and we didn't envy the hundreds of soldiers who had to stay there through winters.
After this we drove a few miles south to Gairloch. We'd decided to stay overnight in the pier car park, where they charge £10. There's a toilet just up the road a bit.
After parking we went out for a walk, first across the road to the Flowerdale Waterfall walk. At one point a bridge was closed so we had to use stepping stones to get across the river.
We circled back for a woodland walk through an arboretum.
We came across a bit of giant rhubarb that we recognised from our previous trip here 12 years ago. Can you work out which picture is which?
We emerged from the woods, crossed the road to Gairloch beach, and walked all the way along it.
We crossed over the headland to get back to the pier. On the way, as we came round a corner, there was a huge red deer stag right in front of us. I think we gave it a fright though, as it quickly lumbered off.
We got back to the pier, stopping at the convenience store on the way to the van.
Later we went across the road to the Old Inn for a pint, then had Red Thai Prawn Curry for dinner back at the campervan.
We walked from the site into the hills to the east of Poolewe. First the track went through some woods, then along the north side of Loch Kernsary.
At the end of the lake we passed a farm, then entered some woodland. After a while we emerged onto open moorland, which had a lot of small lochs.
We reached a small one called Loch an Doire Crionaich, and we stopped for lunch there.
We then turned and walked back towards Loch Kerseray.
There were loads of hairy caterpillars on the track, we discovered they were from Fox Moths.
The walk was about 21 km in total.
Later for dinner we made root vegetable curry which we had with naan bread.
Inverewe Botanical Garden is just along the road, so we walked there today. We spend a good few hours wandering round the many paths. There are lots of specimen rhododendrons, and many other special plants. The walled gardens have fruit and veg too.
There are a couple of ponds with carnivorous plants.
We went down to the jetty, along the coastal bit, then back up to the highest point.
After exiting the gardens we crossed the road and walked the Pinewood Trail through the woods, which eventually led us back to the campsite.
Later we left Oscar in the van and went to the local brewery taproom just along the road, Ewebrew. We had a couple of pints there and the beer was very good. They also do food but we didn't have any there.
We had burgers, mash and beans back at the van later.
We left the house in the campervan about 9.30 am and drove up the A9. We stopped at Tesco in Inverness for some shopping and a meal deal for lunch.
We then carried on, arriving at Poolewe and checking in to the Inverewe Gardens Camping and Caravanning Club Site. It's the same site we stayed at last time we were here in 2012.
It's right on the shore, so we went for a short walk along the back of the beach and into the village. We saw a seal just offshore.
Later for dinner we had pasta with pesto, bacon and tomatoes.
We left Lochgoilhead in the morning, with a last view of the loch from our parking space.
The plan was to climb Ben Donich which towers above the village, but which had its top in the clouds this morning.
We drove up the single track road towards the Rest And Be Thankful pass, and parked in the small car park at the foot of the mountain.
We headed up the path, which was quite steep all the way but had a reasonable surface.
At one point on the way up there's a downwards scramble which needs some care, it's in a jumble of boulders with no alternative way round.
After about 90 minutes walking we made it to the top at 847 metres. There was still a lot of cloud around but we got the occasional view down.
After sitting to eat our lunch at the top we made our way back down. This time the scramble was upwards.
Before long the Rest And Be Thankful came back into view.
Once back at the van we drove home, arriving just after 4pm.
