Loch Tarff, November 2017

The popular wild swimming spot of Loch Tarff high above Loch Ness and Fort Augustus at the head of Strathnairn. Many an advert and TV programme have shot here including The Grand Tour.

Loch Linnhe, December 2017.

Loch Linnhe is a sea loch that follows the line of the Great Glen Fault and is the only sea loch along the fault.

About 50 kilometres (31 mi) long, the southern part of the loch is wider and its branch southeast of the island of Lismore is known as the Lynn of Lorne. Loch Eil feeds into Loch Linnhe at the latter's northernmost point, while from the east Loch Leven feeds in the loch just downstream of Corran and Loch Creran feeds into the Lynn of Lorne. The town of Fort William lies at the northeast end of the loch, at the mouth of the River Lochy.

The Corran Ferry crosses Loch Linnhe at the Corran Narrows visible in the mid-ground of this shot.

Knoydart, November 2017

Knoydart is a peninsula in the Lochaber district on the West coast of the Scottish Highlands. Situated between Loch Nevis and Loch Hourn, the peninsula comprises approximately 55,000 acres which today is divided up amongst a number of landowners, with the largest area managed by the Knoydart Foundation.

Knoydart is cut off from the UK mainland road network, thus meaning access can only be made either by boat or by foot. The rugged and remote landscape is one of the primary attractions of the area; and with four munros and numerous corbetts within the Knoydart boundary, hillwalkers flock from far and wide to make their ascents.

Inverie is the main settlement area and is home to over half of the full time residents (currently around 120). The village holds the majority of local amenities, including the Primary School, Post Office, Community Shops, Knoydart Pottery & Tearoom and The Old Forge pub; and is where the pier is located for boat access to and from the peninsula.

Blair Castle - September 2017

Blair Atholl's most famous feature is Blair Castle one of Scotland's premier stately homes, and the last castle in the British Isles to be besieged, in 1746 during the last Jacobite Rebellion.

The Castle was the traditional home of the Earls (later Marquesses, now Dukes) of Atholl. The Duke of Atholl is the only person in the United Kingdom allowed to raise a private army. This army, known as the Atholl Highlanders, conducts largely social and ceremonial activities, and primarily consists of workers on the extensive Atholl Estates.

Loch Ness - October 2017

The magnificent Loch Ness. Known across the world but actually one of the least impressive Scottish freshwater Lochs in our opinion. And we have seen a fair few now!

Loch Ness is a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 23 miles southwest of Inverness. Its surface is 16 metres (52 feet) above sea level. Loch Ness is best known for alleged sightings of the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as "Nessie".

It is connected at the southern end by the River Oich and a section of the Caledonian Canal to Loch Oich. At the northern end there is the Bona Narrows which opens out into Loch Dochfour, which feeds the River Ness and a further section of canal to Inverness. It is one of a series of interconnected, murky bodies of water in Scotland; its water visibility is exceptionally low due to a high peat content in the surrounding soil.

Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area at 22 sq miles after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume in the British Isles. Its deepest point is 230 m; 755 ft making it the second deepest loch in Scotland after Loch Morar. A 2016 survey claimed to have discovered a crevice that pushed the depth to 271 m (889 ft) but further research determined it to be a sonar anomaly. It contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined and is the largest body of water in the Great Glen, which runs from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the south.

Cromarty - October 2017

Cromarty is a seaport on the southern shore of the mouth of Cromarty Firth, 5 miles seaward from Invergordon on the opposite coast. Until 1890 it was the county town of the former county of Cromartyshire.

The town grew around its port, formerly used by ferries, to export locally-grown hemp fibre, and by trawlers trawling for herrings. The port was a British naval base during the First World War and HMS Natal blew up close by on 30 December 1915 with heavy loss of life.

The port was home to Britain's smallest vehicle ferry, the Cromarty Rose, running across the Firth to Nigg. The entrance to the Cromarty Firth is guarded by the Souters, two large cliffs that can be seen for many miles away and were previously fortified.

Muirton Locks - Inverness, September 2017

An expansion of the Caledonian Canal close to its northeastern termination, the Muirtown Basin lies between Clachnaharry and Muirtown a mile northwest of Inverness city centre.

Planned in the early 19th century as a second harbour for the city by the canal's engineer Thomas Telford, it could not cope with the size of ships which were soon in use and thus never fulfilled its potential. It now serves as a marina. Immediately to the south of the basin are the Muirtown Locks, a flight of four locks on the Caledonian Canal at Muirton. The Muirtown Swing Bridge crosses the canal immediately to the north.

Dingwall - September 2017.

Dingwall is a town and a royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It was formerly an east-coast harbour but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts of which may date back to the 12th-century building. In 1411 the Battle of Dingwall is said to have taken place between the Clan Mackay and the Clan Donald.

Loch Broom - October 2017

Loch Broom (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Bhraoin, "loch of rain showers") is a sea loch located in northwestern Ross and Cromarty, in the former parish of Lochbroom, on the west coast of Scotland. The small town of Ullapool lies on the eastern shore of the loch.

This photo was taken high above the Corrieshalloch Gorge situated on the Droma River 20 km S of Ullapool. It is 1.5 km long, 60m deep and formed at the end of the last ice age by rapid erosion caused by meltwater.

It's been a busy few months!

Here is some snapshots of what the ROAVR teams have been up to in September and October 2017!

This year so far we have worked in:

Scotland (obviously!)
Wales
England
Denmark
Latvia
Poland
Italy
Lithuania
Sweden

We are currently finalising missions to Israel and Egypt. If we can help with your project reach out to us!

pilots@roavr.co.uk

Spirit of Scotland - September 2017

Spirit of Scotland is an elegant hotel barge with extensive public areas inside and out that are perfect from which to admire the breathtaking Highlands scenery in comfort as she cruises the Caledonian Canal and the lochs of the Great Glen.

Although purpose-built less than twenty years ago as a hotel barge, her style evokes that of the traditional steamers that plied the lochs of Scotland in times gone by.

Accommodating up to 12 passengers in comfort, her interior features a bright and spacious saloon and dining area with picture windows, a separate bar, and an integral forward wheelhouse giving views of the cruise route ahead. The 6 air-conditioned cabins offer a choice of twin or double beds and are complemented by well-designed en suite shower rooms.

Outside, there are separate areas where you can relax on a recliner, or perhaps in the heated spa pool, as well as a covered dining terrace. And the large upper sun deck is the ideal place to admire the dramatic backdrop as you cruise on deep-water lochs such as Loch Oich and past historic landmarks along the way.

https://www.europeanwaterways.com

Loch Droma - August 2017

Loch Droma is situated between Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich and Am Fauchagachm, near Garve, Highland, Scotland.

It is linked to Loch Glascarnoch as part of the Conon Hydro-Electric Power Scheme. The River Droma rises from Loch Droma and runs northwest to unite the Abhainn Cuileig to come of as the River Broom, which feds the Loch Broom. The summit of An Teallach can be seen from Loch Droma. From this loch starts the route up to Sgurr Mor, through a circuit up over Beinn Liath Mor Fannaich.

Loch Eck - September 2017

Loch Eck is a freshwater loch located on the Cowal peninsula, north of Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is seven miles long. Apart from Loch Lomond, it is the only naturally occurring habitat of the Powan (fish).

Loch Eck is within the Argyll Forest Park which, is itself part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

The loch is also an impounding reservoir with a concrete dam measuring 0.870 metres high. The dam was completed in 1973. Loch Eck now supplies the freshwater to much of the southeast of Cowal, including Dunoon.

In July 2013, two dogs died due to algal bloom present in the loch. Warnings were then posted advising that people and animals should avoid contact with the water

Carnegie Links - September 2017

The Carnegie Links is the jewel in Skibo’s crown. An 18-hole Championship course on the banks of the Dornoch Firth, it offers players 6,833 yards of golfing genius. There are no tee times at Skibo, so members are free to play as and when the mood takes them.

With its relaxed atmosphere and array of golf professionals on hand to offer advice and tuition, the Carnegie Links is ideal for both beginners finding their feet on the greens for the first time and accomplished golfers looking to perfect their swing. Lessons can be booked with there resident golf professionals.

http://www.carnegieclub.co.uk/golf-championship-links.html

Culloden Battlefield - September 2017

Find out more about the events leading up to, during and after the Battle of Culloden at the new and award-winning visitor centre.

The battle lines have been redrawn at the new Culloden battlefield experience. With the site restored to as close as possible to that seen by the forces on that fateful day in April 1746, Culloden now welcomes visitors with an impressive new visitor centre and exciting interactive exhibition.

With over 1,200 dead in just one hour Culloden was a short but bloody battle - the last to be fought on British soil. Now all the family can experience and understand so much more about the events leading up to, during and after the battle. Follow characters who were actually involved in the battle around the interactive exhibition, experience the true horror of the battle in an immersive film, take a battlefield tour, and watch the daily Living History presentations which bring the battle to life.

The visitor centre also includes a range of environmentally friendly facilities, including a memorabilia shop and a restaurant with a variety of delicious meals.

https://www.nts.org.uk/Visit/Culloden

Ardarroch - June 2017

Ardarroch is a small hamlet at the eastern end of Loch Kishorn. This shot looks toward the famous Applecross Peninsula and the Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle).

Ardarroch is a small hamlet located in what is commonly known as the Kishorn area, on the north east shore of Loch Kishorn within the Strathcarron, Ross-shire, Scotland.

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