Beaufort Castle

We were promised temperatures in double figures today so we chose a walk from walkingworld along the north bank of the River Beauly which would take us along quite flat and pleasant paths. Drove through Inverness to the Lovat Bridge and turned off left towards the small village of Kiltarlity. Crossed over the River Beauly and parked in the little car park beyond. The walk was easy to follow and we strolled through oak and birch woods along the side of the river listening to the birdsong. A hawk sped across our path. The river was flowing very fast and the weir was very powerful and noisy. In the season the salmon would be seen leaping up the river and many anglers would be trying to outwit them. There are enticing salmon pools and quite a few lodges and wooden fishing chalets by the side of the river.Walked past Beaufort Castle - the ancestral home of the Frasers of Lovat but sold in 1994 to Ann Gloag the director of Stagecoach transport. Unfortunately we forgot that all the recent snow would melt and make the rivers overflow and we came to a sudden stop as the river had flooded our path. We had to turn round and walk back to our waiting picnic. It was lovely to get out in the mild fresh air and stretch the old legs.