A Look at Loch Ness: The Geology of Loch Ness

Posted on May 7, 2012 by

Loch Ness

Loch Ness forms a substantial part of the Great Glen – a major topographical feature that divides the Highlands in an almost straight line from coast to coast. It’s a geologically complex area but the major landscape characteristics that we see from this boat today were fashioned principally by water erosion during the last 60 to 100 million years and also by recent glacial activity.

Loch Ness and the Great Glen owe their existence to a shattering fissure in the earth’s crust that occurred many millions of years ago; perhaps as far back as 380 million years ago.

Over the years there has been a lot of disagreement amongst geologists as to how this displacement actually took place. However over the years research undertaken by oil companies and universities has shown that the Great Glen Fault Line was the result of lateral movement or strike slip. The evidence that supports this theory includes the straightness of the fault, the shattered rocks on both sides and the similarity between the granite at Foyers on Loch Ness-side and Strontian near Fort William.

At the time of the original fracture Loch Ness would have been filled with broken stones, rather than water. However during numerous Ice Age periods, glaciers pushed these broken stones towards Inverness and the Loch was filled with water. Loch Ness is in fact a very large example of what is known as a ‘glacier trough’.

It is also believed, with good reason, that Loch Ness was once a salt water loch. However alluvial deposits of sand and gravel left by glaciers eventually blocked up the Inverness end of the loch and now Loch Ness is a fresh water loch.

Find out more about the surroundings of this fascinating area when you travel and tour with Jacobite Cruises.

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Loch Ness Marathon 2012

Posted on May 3, 2012 by
Jacobite Jess, Loch Ness Marathon

Jacobite Jess in training for Loch Ness Marathon

We recently watched the London marathon on our TV screens as thousands of runners from all over the world pounded the streets of London testing their stamina and raising millions for charity- a brilliant effort.

We have our very own marathon here on the shores of Loch Ness, which takes place on the 30th September 2012.  The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon was voted the 4th best in the UK – it is a “monster” event, capturing some of the most wonderful scenery in the country.

Running alongside the shores of the world’s most famous loch after starting high in the hills above, the views are breathtaking and described often as awesome by our friends from across the pond.  This is a must for your diary.  Why don’t you bring your  friends and family and make a weekend of it?

So, get planning that trip, go on-line, complete your entry and press SEND.  For younger runners or for those who don’t feel the urge to run “The Monster” marathon, there is also a 10k and a 5k run in the lovely city of Inverness.

Our home base here at Jacobite is right beside Queens Park which is the finishing point for the marathon, so there is no excuse for not paying us a visit.

A relaxing cruise on Loch Ness is just what the doctor ordered after that ‘monster’ run on the Sunday.

Get on line now and “Keep on Running!”

Willie Cameron
Writer in Residence

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May Day in the Scottish Highlands with Jacobite

Posted on May 2, 2012 by
All aboard for a Jacobite cruise on Loch Ness

All aboard for a Jacobite cruise on Loch Ness

If you haven’t planned your May holiday, now is the time for a last minute scan of the web to see what is available here in the Highlands at Loch Ness. May Day has been a traditional day of festivities throughout the centuries both in Anglo Saxon and Celtic homelands.  The festival in Scotland is also called Beltane and usually celebrated with a fire extravaganza on Calton Hill in Edinburgh, a great place to kick off your Scottish tour.

In Edinburgh on May Day it is traditional for the young women of the area to wash their faces in the early morning dew on Arthurs Seat.  (a famous hill and landmark in the centre of the city). Here at Loch Ness there were many Pictish settlements whose people celebrated pagan festivals, these have all contributed to our rich heritage and culture.

On your trip to this area you can see much of the evidence of these ancient people – the Clava Stone Circle outside Inverness, the Chambered Cairn at Corrimony near Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle – built on the site of an ancient Pictish Fort.  Inverness Museum has many Pictish carvings found in the area.

On your trip with Jacobite Cruises can visit Urquhart Castle. You can  take the City Sightseeing tour to catch the boat at Tomnahurich bridge for your cruise down Loch Ness.   You can also visit the museum before catching the tour as the bus picks up at the Tourist Office which is right next to the museum.  All our driver/guides are extremely knowledgeable and helpful, so please don’t hesitate to ask them questions.

On your way out of town they will point out Craig Phadraig, the site of an ancient Pictish Fort; the home of King Brude, Chief of the Pictish Tribes. The Picts worshipped the sun, moon, the stars, wood and fire here at Loch Ness, they also paid homage to The Water Kelpie which through myth and legend has made this stretch of water world famous.

You too can immerse yourselves in this ancient Celtic culture and walk in the footsteps of these Pictish peoples by taking your May holiday here at Loch Ness. We look forward to seeing you!

Willie Cameron
Writer in Residence

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Jacobite Cruises at Visit Scotland Expo 2012

Posted on April 27, 2012 by

Jacobite Cruises had a great two days in Edinburgh at this year’s travel trade fair, Visit Scotland Expo. The Expo is Scotland’s key travel trade fair where a huge number of international buyers visit each year to find the best of Scotland’s new travel products and services.

Jacobite at VS Expo 2012

For Jacobite it’s a great way to catch up with many in the travel trade, in Scotland, the UK and abroad, to thank agents and operators for doing business with us and also to make new partnerships.  This year was very busy and it was hard work but fun too.

Captain Ness VS Expo 2012

Captain Ness wowing them at Visit Scotland Expo 2012

This year, Captain Ness joined us and he made a lot of people smile, particularly when he blew kisses and ruffled people’s hair as they went past – some people thought he was a real statue so you should have seen the look on their faces!

Jacobite Stand, Visit Scotland Expo 2012

Jacobite Cruises stand at Visit Scotland Expo 2012

Jess was also with us, but she spent most of her time on the stand next to our delicious tablet and whisky, which went down a treat.  That’s it over for this year folks – until 2013!

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A Look at Loch Ness: Urquhart Castle Part II

Posted on April 23, 2012 by

We return to our focus on Urquhart Castle and its fascinating history.

View to Loch Ness from Urquhart Castle

View to Loch Ness from Urquhart Castle

Following the death of Alan Durward, the Lordship of Urquhart, in 1275, the castle passed to John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch. This marked the beginning of a turbulent time in the castle’s history as ownership frequently passed back and forth between the English and Scottish Crown.

Jacobite boats approaching Urquhart Castle

Jacobite boats approaching Urquhart Castle

However by the late 14th Century, a new conflict had arisen. The Scottish Crown was now trying to defend itself against incursions from the Macdonalds, Lords of the Isles. For 150 years, the ownership of the castle changed hands between the two sides, before order was somewhat restored by George Gordon, the 2nd Earl of Huntly.

In 1689 Urquhart Castle saw its last action, when a small garrison supporting the Protestant monarchy of William & Mary held off a much larger Jacobite force. Later that year the English Garrison left the castle, destroying it as they went, to prevent it from being used as a Jacobite base.

Step back into history when you visit Urquhart Castle with Jacobite.

Why not check out some more photos on our Flickr page ?

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A Look at Loch Ness: Urquhart Castle Part I

Posted on April 18, 2012 by

One of the most iconic sites of Loch Ness, one of the most visited castles in Scotland and seen on many a postcard, the picturesque Urquhart Castle sits upon Strone Point.

Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness

Some people believe that the castle was originally the site of a Pictish fort, visited by St Columba in 565AD. No one can say for certain that that was the case, however there was almost certainly a Pictish settlement in the area at the time, as it would have been a key site from which to control the Great Glen and Northern Scotland.

View of Urquhart Castle from aboardWritten records show that a castle has stood on this site from at least the 13th Century, as a result of an uprising by the people of Moray against King Alexander II. With the rebellion quashed, the King named his son-in-law, Alan Durward, the Lordship of Urquhart, and established a stronghold in the area.

Return to our blog next week to learn more about this great castle, and remember, you can travel back in time for yourself and step into history on Loch Ness, when you visit Urquhart Castle with Jacobite.

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A Look at Loch Ness: Trees

Posted on April 11, 2012 by
A look at Loch Ness - Trees

Trees in and around Loch Ness

If you take a look around the shores of the Loch Ness, and to a greater extent Urquhart Bay, you will see a number of Alder Trees. These deep-rooted trees help to maintain the soil in the river banks and reduce the effects of erosion. The root systems are exposed under the water, and provide a safe refuge for fish from predators, during times of high water. Alder wood doesn’t rot in water, but actually becomes hardened when soaked, so much so in fact, that it’s been used to make the stilts upon which Loch-side homes are built.

Another native species of trees in this area are birch – Silver and Downy. Both species are fast growing pioneer trees, with the Silver Birch occurring principally on well-drained, drier soils and Downy Birch preferring the wetter locations.

Looking beyond the shore of the Loch, especially on the south slopes, you will see large areas of forestry. Douglas Fir, imported from North America is widespread and can grow to over 200 feet, here in the Highlands. Further up the slopes you will find Norway Spruce, the Christmas Tree, and Sitka Spruce.

On the highest and most exposed ground, where it’s hard to imagine anything being able to survive, you will find Scots Pine, Britain’s only indigenous or native tree that once grew extensively throughout our ancient and long gone Caledonian Pine Forest.

The Scots Pine is a rugged tree that’s able to thrive in poor soils. In the past it was used for ships rigging and the production of Turpentine, resin, tar and charcoal. It is now harvested for paper pulp and the production of strand board.

Don’t forget to look for trees and plants species when you sail with Jacobite on Loch Ness.

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Chocolate in Inverness and the Highlands

Posted on April 11, 2012 by

Well everybody,  you must all be ‘chocolated’ out by now after the Easter festivities.

Although the weather was not particularly good, Loch Ness was very busy and here at Jacobite the cruises were full all weekend.

It was great to see everybody enjoying themselves here in the Highlands
over Easter week-end.

In Inverness we are lucky to have two excellent Belgian chocolatiers both with shops in the city; here you can buy some of the most delicious chocolates one can eat. They are called Maya and Story, one is in the Victorian market and one is near the bus station.  Their Easter displays were brilliant and their Easter bunnies and eggs looked the business.

Image courtesy Maya Belgian Chocolates

Chocolate is also a great accompaniment to Scotch Whisky, nothing finer than a glass of single malt whisky together with a piece of rich, dark, handmade chocolate. Chocolate with a high cocoa content and Whisky is a marriage made in heaven.

Further North in Scotland is Cocoa Mountain – another fine chocolatier and worth a look at online where one can order their produce. The restaurants of the Highlands use chocolate a lot in their menus, both savoury and sweet.

Roast haunch of venison with chocolate sauce and caramelised parsnips; chocolate torte with white chocolate ice cream parfait followed by a Dalmore 12 year old malt, espresso, and a whisky and chocolate truffle – gourmet paradise!

So it is not just Easter you can be ‘chocolated’ out in the Highlands. You can have your chocolate fix all year round – even here at Loch Ness you can indulge in a chocolate Nessie before you board your Jacobite cruise.

All you chocoholics make your way North for the ultimate chocolate experience!

Willie Cameron

Writer in residence

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Here comes April 2012…

Posted on April 6, 2012 by

Well folks, April is here, how the time flies in! We hardly get Christmas over then its Valentines, Mother’s Day and now Easter is upon us.  All these things we were going to plan for Easter and now it’s arrived. The first of April falling on a Sunday is not so good for hoaxes in the popular press but there have been a few.

Loch Ness, of course, has been world famous for hoaxes over the years and no better place for an April Fool, they go hand in hand.

Castle Stuart

Castle Stuart

A number of years ago I orchestrated a number of stunts to commemorate that day. The best one was the floating golf course on Loch Ness.  Eighteen pontoons covered in astro turf and the players transported from hole to hole by fast speed boat, divers on hand to retrieve the balls and big screens at Fort Augustus and Dores for TV coverage during The Loch Ness Open Championship.

A suggestion that the balls should be filled with porridge was just taking the hoax too far. That story appeared in the Daily Record and a golfing society in Washington State USA telephoned to book a round as they loved to play all the crazy golf courses of the World.

Sad to say there is no floating golf course on Loch Ness, but there are plenty of superb courses all within easy reach of Jacobite HQ here at Tomnahurich. The Jacobite staff will be delighted to advise you . Why not come up for The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open here at Castle Stuart from the 12th July to the 15th July?

Take in the competition then play some golf at Nairn, Dornoch, Tain or Inverness and other great Highland courses.  Whilst the golfers go golfing the others can go cruising down Loch Ness then shopping or pampering in the city of Inverness. Absolutely nothing foolish about that !

Willie Cameron
Writer in residence

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A Look at Loch Ness: Wildlife

Posted on April 2, 2012 by
A Look at Loch Ness: Wildlife

Bird feeders at Jacobite

Thanks to Nessie, the real wildlife around the loch tends to get overlooked by visitors, but we’re blessed with a magnificent variety of creatures, within the forests, moorland and shoreline of Loch Ness.

Red squirrels are present in all the forests surrounding Loch Ness and can often be seen jumping effortlessly from tree to tree.

If you’re lucky, during your visit you may catch a glimpse of an elusive Pine Marten. These are about the size of a cat and easily identifiable by the general dark brown of its fur that contrasts with the creamy throat patch. As you might expect, there are badgers in the area, as well as foxes and brown hares.

The weasel is also prevalent in the area, making it the smallest carnivore in The Highlands. Their small size is well compensated by their fierceness in hunting. They are often seen rapidly crossing roads or sitting upright to gain a better field of vision for their favourite food of mice and voles.

Red deer, often referred to as the “Monarch of the Glen”, can be seen during the winter months but during the summer they are normally on much higher ground. It is not unknown for them to swim across Loch Ness. Sika deer, which are smaller and almost black in colour, are seen occasionally. The much smaller Roe deer, more grey/brown in colour, are common along the banks of the canal and in the grounds around Dochfour House.

Remember to look out for wildlife on Loch Ness when you travel with Jacobite!

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