Being one of the most famous Lochs in the world it’s difficult not to think of Loch Ness, without immediately imagining the elusive Nessie, however the Loch has rich and varied history.
Situated on the still active Great Glen fault which was formed in the last ice age, the loch is the largest in Britain by volume at 700ft deep, a mile wide and over 20 miles long, it could hold the worlds population 10 times over. Certainly populated since 2000BC, with an Iron age Crannog still in evidence at Fort Augustus, and later Pictish tribes a the the start of the millenium, the area has been of importance for political, military and commercial reasons throughout history.
On the Western shore overlooking the loch is situated the ruins of Urquhart Castle which was built in the early 1200’s and suffered a bloody and turbulent history until it was destroyed by troops, whose allegiance lay with William and Mary, to prevent it’s use as a Jacobite stronghold.
More recently there have been several record-breaking attempts on the loch, the most notable is John Cobb and his attempt to break the water speed record, in 1952, which he did so on his craft the Crusader, reaching speeds of over 200mph, unfortunately he lost his life in doing so.
I have driven along the shores of Loch Ness countless times over the years, and it is never the same vista, but on this May morning in 2010, when I took this shot I think it is the most calm I have ever seen it.
