We kicked off our morning with a short coach trip to Eilean Donan Castle, which is the most photographed castle in Scotland and has appeared in numerous films. While the castle was originally built in the 13th century, a large portion of the structure is from the 20th century when Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap devoted his life to rebuilding the site and reclaiming it for the Clan MacRae. We arrived as the castle opened and took an audio tour of the interior. Afterwards, our photo instructor offered a photo walk for scenic views of the castle to take advantage of the blue skies.
During lunch, the ship sailed for Armadale on the Isle of Skye for a visit to Armadale Castle, and the Botanical Gardens and Museum of the Isles, the spiritual home of the Clan Donald. Built in 1815, the castle was reduced to ruins after a fire in the 1850s. The ruins offer a stunning view of the water, and the photogenic gardens are filled with giant cedar trees and hydrangeas. The museum’s detailed exhibit and audio guide provided a fantastic overview of the history of Clan Donald, Western Scotland, and the Highland Clearances.
After returning to the ship, we sailed to the Knoydart Peninsula toward the community of Inverie, a locally-owned commune that's only accessible by boat or a 17-mile walk from Kinlochourn. After dinner, Inverie residents Jackie and Ian Robertson hosted a talk about their community. Then we ventured out for a short walk and a drink of whiskey.
8/29/2024
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Lord of the Glens
Mull, Iona, and Duart Castle
Morning found us traveling across the Isle of Mull by bus, headed towards the Isle of Iona, a small island with a significant place in Scottish history. In 563, Columba arrived on Iona from Ireland to establish a Christian community, spreading this faith across Scotland. On Iona, we had the chance to tour the sites and visit the 13th century Benedictine Abbey with a local guide. Some set off on other activities, either a hike to the western shore of Iona or a boat ride out to the fabulous Isle of Staffa. After lunch, we headed back across Mull, with a stop to admire the Highland cows. Before reaching the ship, we turned off the main road to visit Duart Castle, home to Clan MacLean. Our final destination of the day was Oban on the mainland, a bustling town of about 8,000 people. The day was capped off with a whisky tasting provided by the local Oban Distillery.