Post it from Culloden CC site, Culloden, Highlands, Scotland. Wednesday 2nd October 2013.

During Breakfast we saw at least two seals on Loch Linnhe taking a leisurely scan around before dipping below the surface again which was a pleasure to see on our last morning at Bunree.

The 80 mile journey from Bunree to Culloden took us along the main A82 road which I found to be quite narrow in parts and although a two carriageway road it was only just wide enough for us to pass confidently when such as coaches or HGV’s were coming the opposite way. It was fairly bendy and required much concentration leaving me quite tired when we arrived late that afternoon after the stops on the way.

Our first stop was at fort William to collect fresh bread for lunch from the Lidl supermarket. After driving through the town we were please we had not spent the day travelling there on bus to visit and did the walks instead.

We then stopped at Spean Bridge to view the monument erected to all the Commandoes who had fought and died during the war. The solemn location, with personal memorials, was set quite high up in the glen with magnificent views towards the mountains. A large car park was available and it was clearly a regular stopping off point with the coach tours as well as individual travellers.

We followed the sides of Loch Lochy and saw a small number of pleasure craft navigation the Lochs and Caledonian Canal from the Moray Firth to the Firth or Lorne. Sharon was fortunate enough to spot a herd of deer running in a field adjacent the Loch and I managed to just catch a glimpse of them. Unfortunately there was nowhere to stop to enjoy a better look. Having said that from my observations so far on this holiday I have come across many laybys with magnificent views and have been unable to stop and park in them because there was one car already there and the driver had given no thought for others and parked smack in the middle of the layby meaning we could not get into it either behind or in front of them because we were a motorhome.

We stopped at Fort Augustus, the westerly end of Loch Ness and had a good wander around. There is a very large car park there as on the left as you cross the locks where there is ample parking for motorhomes. The village is geared up for the tourist trade and we duly spent some money on gifts, as well as taking in the view of the famous Loch Ness. There discovered there were lots of Japanese and American tourists touring around Scotland and here was no exception.

Inverness came and we crossed the River Ness with partial road closures due to a road race, possibly a charity marathon taking place and then onto our destination arriving about 5:00 p.m. The site was neat and tidy and all you would expect from a Club site. There was a good slope to almost all the pitches and levelling blocks were required. There was no internet provision, a big disappointment, and our Orange mobile phone signal was very limited. It was a good job I had a TV booster cable as well or Sharon would not have been able to watch Downton Abbey that night! The 3 nights here revealed there was some road noise, occasional aircraft throughout the night and a dog that seemed to start barking at 0500 and continue for hours. It was some distance away but in the otherwise quiet nights the barking was enough to keep me awake.

The following day we walked, all on paths, the mile and a half to the Culloden Battlefields NT visitor Centre. What an excellent full day we spent there. I am not a massive history person, particularly as having attended a Nautical School with no history lessons I had no interest at an early age, but I found the story of the battle and what happened before and after very informative. The Stewarts of Appin, referred to in my Post It from Bunree, were there fighting with Bonnie Prince Charles Stuart against the British Government forces led by the Duke of Cumberland, as were members of my own family Clan. There was so much I learned about the political situation at that time and to walk around the battlefields with an audio guide describing the events of April 1746 was the icing on the cake. For those who did not know this was the last battle fought on British soil and 1500 Jacobites were killed within the hour with the Government forces loosing around 50. The battlefield is also where those who died were buried and 100 years after the battle stones were erected to mark the Clan graves.

Our second and final day at Culloden was spent visiting Inverness, getting there by bus from outside the camp site. It was pleasant enough but nothing special. The view down the river from the Castle was quite good and there were sufficient shops to keep Sharon interested for a few hours. I even managed to get my hair cut after leaving at home the clipper attachment that I use to cut my own hair. First time I have visited a barbers shop since Spain when I left the shaver charger at home, it must be an age thing. We returned to the camp site earlier than anticipated and took the opportunity to spend time just relaxing in the sun. It had been very hot in the sun whilst we were here but quite cold in the shade and especially at night. I shall have to post this update to our journey when we get to Grantown on Spey as we start to head south towards home.

Regards, Roy