Today is the day we leave the canal system for good. We’re booked to go out at 10, when the railway swing bridge will open (controlled by Network Rail instead of the canal organisation).

Just as we leave, we’re getting really slick at this lock stuff…

Just one final lock and we’re  back on salt water. The canal has been made special by the helpfulness and cheerfulness of the staff, not a single snigger as lines snag or fenders slip…they’ve been brilliant.

The flood tide coming under the Kessok bridge is phenomenal at around 5kts…mental note…we’ll leave here on the ebb 

The rest of the morning is spent packing and deciding what to take home, what to leave and what is surplus. We’ll pick up a one way rental car tomorrow and then be back in around 2 weeks.

A wander into town sees us with some intetesting music in MacGregor’s bar. It’s some kind of jazz, which turns out to be manouche….a French gypsy jazz. This is followed by a group playing more traditional Scottish reels. A very relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon…

 …and then we head back to Black Isle for beer and pizza.

Overall…a brilliant time in Scotland, so far…great place, great people, new friends and some brilliant memories…