All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one his/her own way; and the Lord has laid on Him Jesus the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53 : 6
A walk from our park up beside the botanical gardens of Inverness to the town centre. Eas?Not at all. There are so many distractions. The botanical garden is free to enjoy. Let us look at one small section nestled between the substantial glass houses.
There is a handwritten black board let me share that.
I want a record of this.
There are all sorts of lovely plants, but let’s walk outside towards the waterways. Don’t get too distracted by the wild flowers along the wall. Here are just a few before we enjoy the Ness Islands.
The river Ness meets the Moray Firth at Inverness, and we will be walking over bridges and under the largest of trees. What I really want you to see are benches carved from enormous trunks. Here are three examples:
As we get close to the city of Inverness, the most northerly city in the UK, I want to remind you of a monster the Lochness monster it is here too. First,’seen’ in the freshwater of Loch Ness. Here are some facts about this Loch we drove along for miles:
Maximum depth 226.96 m
Contains more water than all the lakes in England and Wales altogether.
Is murky brown because of the high peat content.
Extends about 37km and forms part of the Caledonian Canal, which comprises 100km of waterways connecting the east coast of Scotland at Inverness to the west coast near Fort William.
After so many distractions, we are in the university city of the Highlands and Islands. Inverness became a city in 2000, having already had a Royal Charter since the 12th century.
It is on the way back along a wide section of the Ness River that I see a garden dedicated to a nurse. Autumn leaves have fallen among the flowers. Enlarge and read her story if you have the time. A brave woman.
Then, back to Bugzy, where I paint something sunny. It makes me happy to use yellow, orange, and a little red. Colours full of warmth and positivity.
They have a long name
Xerochrysum bacterium
described by Etienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803.
They grow tall with grey green leaves and
papery bracts that resemble petals.
Their
habitats vary from rainforest margins to deserts.
Just call them
strawflower.
Thank you for sharing time in Inverness.
The Scottish Highlands are not to be mist.
?
Sandy 🙂
Interesting info. Beautiful carved benches.
Thank you! They were carved well.
This looks like a wonderful trip, Sandy! Gorgeous gardens, and beautiful places to walk. I hope you saw Nessie.