Ducks in Dores.

A bright weekend but very chilly with reports in the local newspaper of a 2 inch covering of snow on the Cairngorm Mountains, enough for children to enjoy but not enough for skiing just yet. Took a trip into Inverness on Sunday and stopped at the Dores Inn on the way back for a walk along the beach and to enjoy the view...this is one of our favourites. The car park was quite full of people having Sunday lunch and the resident ducks were, not surprisingly, full up too. The Jacobite Queen came into view sailing along close to the opposite shore after taking passengers on a trip to Urquhart Castle and back to Inverness.

World record on Loch Ness

Last week a 28-strong group of Asda employees from stores throughout the UK completed the 21 mile paddle along the length of Loch Ness in just 5 hours and 19 minutes claiming a world record for this event.Their feat means they have raised a sizeable amount of money for the Tickled Pink initiative supporting breast cancer. They started at 7am and crossed the finishing line at Dores beach just after noon....we were tired out just watching them!

Dores beach covered in snow.

A very chilly week which culminated in a spectacular blizzard which lasted all day last Thursday. Snow fell in bucket loads and the wind blew it everywhere but we felt really cosy to be inside in the warm talking to guests with a few welcome glasses to keep the spirits up. We wondered what we would wake up to on Friday morning as we needed to go into Inverness. The local radio station reported warnings of school closures, the A9 was shut down to Perth and no trains or planes were operating due to the extreme weather conditions and we suddenly felt isolated. As we cautiously looked out of the bedroom window we were very pleased to see that the area around the house was not too badly covered so we ventured into town, not quite knowing if we would get there or back. The top road had been gritted and was fine if driven with care. After our business in Inverness we came back and stopped at the village of Dores at the eastern end of Loch Ness. The beach was covered in snow and it looked very strange and so different from the normal vision of the famous crescent beach. The Dores Inn looked very inviting but we decided to leave that for another day and head back to the safety of home.

Lunch at Dores Inn.

A very warm breezy day with temperatures hovering in the mid 20C and a welcome change from the recent overcast showery days of late. Drove 7 miles to the village of Dores at the eastern end of Loch Ness and took a walk along the crescent beach and then into Torr Woods. Enjoyed a 2 hour leisurely stroll through the woods and worked up a good appetite for lunch at the Dores Inn. The Inn was packed and it was a good job that we had booked. There was a good choice on the menu and lunch was tasty and very enjoyable.

Deer, Dores and ducks.

All this week we have been pleasantly surprised to watch a pair of young deer, male and female, amble up the sunlit path from Loch Ness beach in the cool of the evening. No doubt they have been enjoying a drink or a paddle. They stop to munch on the grass every now and then before exchanging glances with us and heading off into Farigaig Forest. After a trip into Inverness yesterday we came home and parked at Dores beach to feed the many ducks that congregate there. Throwing the bread against the strong breeze blowing down the Great Glen was a real challenge although the ducks put everything into the game and managed to find their lunch. Lots of white water waves slapping noisily onto the beach although it was bright and warm. The village of Dores always has swarms of swallows zooming overhead at this time of the year, no doubt nesting in the farm buildings and the old mill.

Spring lambs near Dores

The weather over the Easter weekend was glorious and we enjoyed sitting outside. The rest of the week was not so good and we have been experiencing a low cloud base and generally overcast weather. The good news is that the outlook for this coming Sunday and Monday is for wonderful long hours of sunshine and temperatures rising to 17C. This will no doubt please the lambs we drove past yesterday in the fields near Dores.

New Hosts at Dores Inn.

 After reading the article below we decided to check out the Dores Inn to see if it was good enough to recommend to our guests......things we have to do !

'New mine hosts at Dores Inn promise fine local food.

Press & Journal: Published: 12/11/2008

A HIGHLAND couple whose restaurant at a wildlife haven has built a reputation for fine local food will spread their wings next week by opening the doors of their latest venture on the banks of Loch Ness. Farmer Quintin Stevens and his wife Michelle, who have run the Storehouse of Foulis visitor attraction at Evanton on the Cromarty Firth for three and a half years, have just renovated the Dores Inn.
As part of extensive refurbishment, they have fitted a new kitchen, dining area and cellar, and opened up the pub restaurant to allow views of the loch.
Mr Stevens said..It is an amazing location and we felt the south side of Inverness was lacking good eateries. What better place to be than plumb on the end of Loch Ness. We wanted to recreate a traditional pub with the emphasis on food, beer and wine, which I think there is a lack of in the area. We have recreated the menu with the emphasis on local food.
Former host and ex-Highland councillor Ella MacRae called time on the inn earlier this year, ending a half-century link with the place she first worked at as a waitress at the age of 15. The popular venue has become a firm fixture of music lovers who flood into the village for the annual RockNess festival. If all goes to plan the Stevens intention is to reopen the inn for business a week today.'

The Dores Inn is positioned at the eastern end of Loch Ness with commanding views and looking onto a wonderful crescent beach - ideal for a stroll before or after eating.

We found the staff very friendly and wearing attractive uniforms. The new manageress is excellent, really making you feel welcome combined with a vast experience of the hospitality trade and knowledge of food and wines. It now serves food all day - from morning coffee and cakes to lunch, afternoon teas and an evening meal. We were very impressed with the menu, the variety of food and 'specials of the day' which made actually choosing our meals rather difficult - we kept changing our minds. The food was wholesome and delicious, the atmosphere was relaxing and the staff were very attentive. There was a choice of fresh home made desserts or large slices of chocolate or lemon drizzle cake which went down a treat. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and are so pleased to be able to recommend The Dores Inn to our guests and also to have somewhere pleasant and local to dine at ourselves.

Loch Ness from Dores beach.

After a chilly night we woke up to a clear blue sky. Went into the city of Inverness this morning on business and found the city still very busy. On our return journey we couldn't resist pulling in and parking by Loch Ness beach at Dores village. The view down to Fort Augustus enveloped on either side by mountains was amazing. We enjoyed a casual stroll along the crescent shaped shingle beach.Click here for more Ness facts and for the full journey around Loch Ness.

Fingal Barge in Dores Bay.

The weather in the Highlands has been quite bright and warm this week with the occasional shower and often overnight rain . We hear on the news that Edinburgh and Glasgow and recently Fife has experienced bad rain of late but we have been blessed with fair weather conditions....Loch Ness has worked its magic! Went for a stroll along Dores beach and watched the Fingal Barge glide silently down Loch Ness and dock in Dores Bay.

 It is a very popular vehicle offering a wide range of activities and is a frequent visitor along the loch. As we were driving to Dores we passed a group of canoeists on the water, no doubt making their way to the Fingal to be collected for the next part of their adventure. There are endless organised activities to enjoy once aboard the barge "Fingal of Caledonia". Disembark along the journey and enjoy walking, mountain biking, cycling, sailing, canoeing and wind surfing.
I feel quite tired just typing this out....must go for a lie down.