Low clouds swirled over the hills around Fort Augustus as we departed during breakfast. During the morning, there were two presentations as we sailed through narrow canals laced with trees. As we ended lunch, we arrived at the top of Neptune’s Staircase. Neptune’s Staircase is made up of a series of eight locks that will take Lord of the Glens down 19 feet and our first sea loch.
We stepped off the boat just before entering one of the locks and head for Glenfinnan. Shortly after our arrival, we hear a hoot. A few moments later, the Harry Potter steam train appeared from behind the trees and headed over the spectacular viaduct, which is almost 130 years old. The rest of the afternoon was spent walking to the viaduct, popping into the visitor’s center, and walking over to the Glenfinnan Monument, which commemorates the meeting point of the Jacobite uprising in 1745. Two smaller groups from our contingent went on more adventurous activities; kayaking or a longer hike above the viaduct.
After dinner we were treated to a marvelous talk given by Alastair Gibson, Head Gamekeeper at Glenfinnan Estate.
