Caledonian Canal, River Ness, New Year Morning: January 1, 2013

New Year Morning in Inverness, I set out in the half light about a quarter of an hour before sunrise proper, for a gentle mixed terrain scamper along the Caledonian Canal, River Ness, Beauly Firth, and city streets.

Caledonian Canal locks in the early morning light

I have just over one mile heading south along the canal before I reach the Tomnahurich Bridge, the Jacobite Queen moored nearby.

Along the east back of the canal

Tomnahurich Bridge

Jacobite Queen

Just a little further along, and the east bank of the canal becomes a narrow strip of land between the canal and the River Ness. Here the route turns left down steps, through trees and bushes, and then around the edge of waterlogged rugby fields.

Caledonian Canal to right and River Ness to left.

River Ness

Steps down from canal bank toward river ...

... lead to sogginess around the edges of the rugby fields.

The next section of the route runs over the pretty little River Ness islands, with pretty little bridges between. The river is high at the moment, there is some flooding around the islands.

Little bridge onto River Ness  islands

The river is high at the moment

There is flooding on the islands ...

... and a very large snake!

Fancy a little sit down here?

Another pretty little bridge

Having a splashing New Year!

The next few miles of the route are pounding streets until a short path out to Carnac Point. From here a little more road work brings me to South Kessock then a splash through paddles on the sea wall to the sea lock at Clacknaharry, the northern end of the Caledonian Canal at the Beauly Firth.

Toward Carnac Point, Kessock Bridge and Black Isle behind.

Looking toward South Kessock from Carnac Point, with raindrop on lens.

Splashing along the sea wall from South Kessock to Clacknaharry

The sea lock at Clacknaharry

The northern end of the Caledonian Canal

Looking north across Beauly Firth to distant snow-clad monroes

Looking east over Beauly Firth to Kessock Bridge

I am now on the last leg of the route. I will return from here to the start point I left in the half-light a little over an hour ago. I return along the other side of the sea lock and cross the railway line beside the swing bridge.

Railway line crossing at Clacknaharry beside ...

... swing bridge where railway crosses canal.

Near the end of the canal here is a marina, as I approach I have bright sun in my eyes for the first time this morning. Then I feel the familiar sensation of unintended motion, a small slide, and look down to find unexpected ice. To my left swans on the marina enjoy the brief spell of morning sunshine.

Burst of bright sunshine.

Return of the Ice Age?

Swans enjoy the morning sunshine on the marina

Just after the marina I am at the bottom of the short flight of locks which will lead me to the end of the route this morning.

Flight of locks as we head back inland.

I had a pleasant gentle ninety minutes of running this morning in rain and wind, over a distance of 13.4km on the flat. So this wasn't the off-road running I love the most, but it's a scenic route, and I felt really good about running on New Year morning.

Hope you enjoy!