Away on holiday near Killin Loch Tay

**Redshank** · 31st July 11, 08:44 AM

That "Vital Spark" was formerley known as the Eilean Eisdeal, she is a diesel powered VIC (Victualling Inshore Craft) and wasn't the vessel used in any of the filming of the Para Handy series, the actual vessel used was the Auld Reekie now undergoing restoration at Crinan after languishing there rusting away for many a year.
The "Vital Spark" nane was never on the Ships Register, and when the owner of the Eilean Eisdeal realised that fact was quick to register the name to his vessel, in recognition of the fact that the author of "The Tales of Para Handy" a certain Mr Neil Munro was born in the town of Inveraray.

Chris, you should have called into the tourist Info Office whilst in Inveraray and had a chat with me.

Chris

**chrisupyonder** · 31st July 11, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the info on the Vital Spark. Will possibly call in next week.

Chris.

**chrisupyonder** · 31st July 11, 11:12 AM

A viewpoint north of Crieff near Aberfeldy

Still having good weather, how long will it last?

Chris.

**chrisupyonder** · 3rd August 11, 04:21 PM

From near the caravan site we headed north to Lochan na Lairige past Ben Lawers.

We are on a single track road with passing places.

Lochan na Lairige dam. This loch is for drinking water.

We stopped for tea at this little cafe at Bridge of Balgie.

Then on down Glen Lyon

Then back to Loch Tay at Fearnan.

Cheers

Chris.

**KiltedDixon** · 3rd August 11, 05:13 PM

Thanks for letting us tag along on your trip. Look forward to more posts.

**chrisupyonder** · 3rd August 11, 05:54 PM

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift which connects the lower Forth and Clyde canal to the upper Union canal 35 metres higher.
We had a trip in one of the boats up the lift and along the upper canal then back again which takes almost 1 hour.

http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/

It only takes the power of about 6 electric kettles to turn the wheel which takes 5 minutes to complete a half turn.

Cheers

Chris.

**Grizzly** · 4th August 11, 09:13 AM

Lovely pics Chris just thought I would add my view of Inverary Harbour which I took a few years ago. Bit of a drab day when I was there but very atmospheric. Am off to the highlands in a couple of weeks so will hopefully grab some more pictures then.

kind regards and happy holidays
Simon

**Santa Wally** · 4th August 11, 03:48 PM

I LOVE your travelogue photos. The Falkirk Wheel is simply AMAZING. What an interesting way to transport the boats between the levels. It's a whole lot faster than the typical canal lock. I had seen another thread about the Falkirk Wheel a year or so ago. It was good to see your photos as a reminder and to show it to newer members. Thanks for posting them

**chrisupyonder** · 5th August 11, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Lovely pics Chris just thought I would add my view of Inverary Harbour which I took a few years ago. Bit of a drab day when I was there but very atmospheric. Am off to the highlands in a couple of weeks so will hopefully grab some more pictures then.

Simon

Thanks Simon. At least you got the tide in. Everytime we are there, the tide is out

Chris.

**chrisupyonder** · 5th August 11, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Santa Wally

I LOVE your travelogue photos. The Falkirk Wheel is simply AMAZING. What an interesting way to transport the boats between the levels. It's a whole lot faster than the typical canal lock. I had seen another thread about the Falkirk Wheel a year or so ago. It was good to see your photos as a reminder and to show it to newer members. Thanks for posting them

Thanks Santa. Some people though think they should have re-instated the original 11 lochs. It then took a whole day. But myself, I like it and it is a great tourist attraction. The cost was less than rebuilding the 11 lochs and they used so much water, they would have had to re-build the 2 reservoirs to supply the water. The wheel uses no additional water.

Chris.