 | Seems there is an interesting Rush Hour when you are travelling in a heavily touristed area. We picked our departure time to miss any traffic build up and get touristing after 0900. For 3 days in a row in northern Scotland we discovered amazingly clogged roads at that time. Seems tourists generate their own rush hour. When we have passed back along these roads in the afternoon they are calm and clear. Just massively busy till about 1030 I think. |
Of course the road along Loch Ness is busy. Everyone wants to catch a glimpse of the monster. Besides, how gorgeous is the lake as you drive along. Also, there is a big bike race here over the weekend. It is the Mountain Bike World Cup. Bike riders slam their way down Ben Nevis… well a bit of it. It means the roads are filled with cars loaded down with bike gear.
There are a couple of regulation stops along Loch Ness. Most travellers will want to see something of a Nessie museum. We passed on that one. There is quite a battle for Nessie trade. Many hotels boast their own Nessie centre.
In one town there are two major Nessie centres. Only one can use the official emblem but it is in a slightly more obscure location. They have to go to great effort marketing to be sure you do not follow their add to their competitor. The non official centre is just laughing, picking up all the business in an easier location. The battle for the Nessie Dollar is tough.
The other regulation stop is Urquhart castle.
There are a couple of regulation stops along Loch Ness. Most travellers will want to see something of a Nessie museum. We passed on that one. There is quite a battle for Nessie trade. Many hotels boast their own Nessie centre.
In one town there are two major Nessie centres. Only one can use the official emblem but it is in a slightly more obscure location. They have to go to great effort marketing to be sure you do not follow their add to their competitor. The non official centre is just laughing, picking up all the business in an easier location. The battle for the Nessie Dollar is tough.
The other regulation stop is Urquhart castle.
I saw the castle in 1980 and remember it as a bleak, dark place with little or no tourist-ness to it. I am sure my memory is not 100% but I can’t remember a visitor centre or even an admission price. I recall no explanation of anything about the place. I remember a bunch of rocks to climb about with the most spectacular views of the lake.
Today is different. A short multimedia presentation explains the history of the castle. The surroundings are pristine. There is a wonderful full sized trebuchet or catapult.
I am amazed at how memory takes on its own life as years pass by. Surely there was something there to organise visitors in 1980.
I had a ball wandering through the ruins. It is a great exhibit and the team that run it can be proud of their management of the site.
Today is different. A short multimedia presentation explains the history of the castle. The surroundings are pristine. There is a wonderful full sized trebuchet or catapult.
I am amazed at how memory takes on its own life as years pass by. Surely there was something there to organise visitors in 1980.
I had a ball wandering through the ruins. It is a great exhibit and the team that run it can be proud of their management of the site.
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