A cruise on Loch Ness

Although it’s my second ‘seacation’ this was my first organised post Covid cruise tour

On ship organisation was the same as before, booked the trip, got tickets, made our way to the assigned meeting area, got our numbered sticker and when called followed our tour escort to the bus – here’s where it all changed…

Instead of handing our tickets to the tour guide we dropped them into a plastic bag. The driver, Gordon asked us to sanitise our hands on the way into the bus. In each row of 4 seats (2 on either side) only 3 were in use and solo travellers where required to sit alone so Jane and I had 2 seats each to ourselves!

Donald, our tour guide, resplendent in his tartan trousers read the rules provided by Celebrity. We were required to stay in our group, not go into any shops or cafes or visit any stalls. We would be able to use the toilet facilities on the boat

Donald then completed a plan of the coach marking cabin numbers to seats so we knew exactly where everyone was seated for contact tracing, and we would be required to sit in the same seats on the way back

Finally we were on our way, driving through Invergordon to Inverness passing the castle but not getting off the coach anywhere

Taking the main roads, stopping at the swing bridge we had a pleasant drive with only a little traffic before a 20 minute run through the countryside to the shores of Loch Ness Remembering the rules on the coach, we were a little surprised that members of the public were on the Loch Cruise with us, some guests were quite concerned about this. We had already decided we would sit outside on the boat

A fantastic hour long sail along the Loch in fabulous sunny weather with great views of the castle

We even managed to spot the elusive Nessie – believe that you’ll believe anything…

We were blessed with fantastic weather. Coats not needed and after our Loch Cruise had a great scenic drive through the purple Scottish heather and ‘wildfire’ which grew everywhere

Back to civilisation we were treated to a quick drive through the local villages while we sang Auld Lang Sang. A fabulous day out!