Day 17 - Holy Coo

We get our first glimpse of Loch Ness, that 40km long tranquil loch with its gleaming waters. Nearby is a paddock with some Hairy Coos, shaggy things who are more than eager to have their photo taken by a bunch of equally dishevelled Aussie tourists.

But the highlight of the day (pun not intended) is sculling a few drams of whiskey near the cliffs of Skye. The fuzzy warm feeling in the chest dispels the wanton wind, and for those who do not want their dram, there's someone else to take it. We are now well prepared for a visit to Bell's distillery. All mobiles must be turned off, lest they interfere with the equipment that now produces this smokey Scottish liquor. I switch my mobile to "Distillery Mode."

One wee girl drank so much the night before she has spent the entire day in a stupor on the bus, and misses a chance to prolong her intoxication by inhaling the distillery fumes.

The evening is more sedate than the one that preceded it. A couple of pints of Tennent's Lager and a couple of flicks starring Jedi Master Ewan McGregor: Trainspotting, which also has a strong performance from Robert Carlyle; and the very watchable Shallow Grave.