Searching for a "Monster" in Inverness

Scott recently had business in Inverness, Scotland, which is way up in the north in the Highlands. He scheduled his business meeting for a Friday, and we were able to spend the weekend exploring Inverness. Friday night we visited a local pub, "Hootananny's", which advertised live, traditional, Scottish music.We joined the crowd gathered in the pub and enjoyed some fiddle and button key (accordion) music. Most of the music seemed like traditional Scottish reels and familiar, to the Scots gathered, tunes. Somehow, though, I don't think "Folsom Prison" (wasn't that Johnny Cash?) can be counted as "traditional Scottish" even though it's performed on fiddle and button key? We did have a good time, and Saturday morning we were ready to go exploring. Inverness is where you can find Loch Ness, home of the famouse Loch Ness monster, affectionately referred to as 'Nessie. I think the pictures here will tell the story quite well!

Like most towns in Great Britain, Inverness has it's own castle. This one is still in use as the courthouse, where court is actually held each Friday.

The "Ness" River runs through the middle of Inverness. Also, like most towns in Britain, Inverness has a Cathedral.

The boat that will take us out onto Loch Ness to look for 'Nessie!

First, however, our boat has to navigate a canal, and a lock.

It was a beautiful day for sailing on Loch Ness.....but not for sighting 'Nessie!

Out on Loch Ness, finally! The ruins of a castle which can be visited and explored. No sign of 'Nessie so far.

Ahhh.....There she is! 'Nessie, at last! Funny, though, she looks a lot like Barney, the purple dinosaur?!

Back in Inverness an event was being held to benefit hospice. There was a race going on in the Ness River, right outside our hotel. There were many fun "rafts" racing down the river, and they were followed by a yellow plastic duck race. In the evening there was a show at the theatre featuring Scottish talent performing Scottish music. Scott and I decided to go and I must say we were amongst the youngest in the crowd! The music was entertaining in a "Lawrence Welk Goes to Scotland" kind of way. There was an exception, however, and that was a performer who decided to do a sing-a-long to "Country Roads", as in, "...take me home, West Virginia....etc." Yes, he did sing "West Virginia". We also enjoyed the Scottish dancers intermixed with the singing, and a young lady who played the bagpipes.

Raft race on the Ness River.....maybe this is 'Nessie?!!

Now we know where Santa's Elves vacation! Note the "oars"!!