Another big day today Gairloch to Inverness via Skye and the shores of Loch Ness.

Apparently the remnants of hurricane Bertha expected to hit the northern part of the UK of the next couple of days however this morning the view across the water from the hotel was fantastic, flat and sunny. This was the case for the next hour as we drove towards Skye but we started to notice that the little creeks and waterfalls had a fair amount of water going down them and sure enough we hit the rain by the time we crossed over to Skye.

The drive around Skye was just as picturesque as the rest of the west coast with the added benefit of Taliskers being on the island. A short visit only, however, as the place was packed (apparently no one wanted to get wet) and the car park was full of midgies. Whilst The rain was persistent the ocean was still flat, it had that sense of the calm before the storm.

By now the rain had set in and the waterfalls off the hills were spectacular. We cruised along the shoreline of Loch Ness and whilst we didn't stop the low cloud and rain gave it the perfect atmosphere for monster spotting.

We spent the night in Inveress next to the river and we could see the effect all the rain was having. Had my first Haggis meal that night and I am now a convert to Haggis, Neaps and Tatties! The only downside was that the hotel was full of Australians.