Oban to Banavie
Yesterday afternoon’s weather continues with bright sunshine and beautiful clouds as we set off from Oban. Our sail takes us past Dunollie Castle, former stronghold of the MacDougalls, Castle Stalker of the Stewarts of Appin and various islands like Lismore. After breakfast Konia tells us about Scottish lighthouses, their history, builders and engineers and the lighthouse keepers lives and wives. Illustrated by many photographs and other visuals.
Later on as we are passing Corran lighthouse, Carol gives a powerpoint presentation on Scottish history, covering the Lord of the Isles, the Clearances and the Jacobites.
It’s not only gloriously sunny but also quite warm by the time the Lord of the Glens is entering the Caledonian Canal at Corpach. Suddenly we seem to be running out of space, but somehow the officers manage to squeeze the ship into the tightly fitting locks. During lunch we make our way up the canal, so that we are ready to take pictures and / or go ashore by the time we reach Neptune’s staircase, a series of 8 locks raising the water level by 64 feet. The ascent of the locks takes us to the ship’s berth for the night, at the hamlet of Banavie. Whilst some of us explore the neighbourhood by bike or on foot, Jack Stocker decides to give an impromptu piano concert, much appreciated by everyone still sitting in the lounge.
Overlooked by a cloudless Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, we re-cap on the days events and things to come as well as various other topics that crop up, then dine another superb meal until it’s time to go to bed or to the pub.
September in Scotland, do I need to say more…
Yesterday afternoon’s weather continues with bright sunshine and beautiful clouds as we set off from Oban. Our sail takes us past Dunollie Castle, former stronghold of the MacDougalls, Castle Stalker of the Stewarts of Appin and various islands like Lismore. After breakfast Konia tells us about Scottish lighthouses, their history, builders and engineers and the lighthouse keepers lives and wives. Illustrated by many photographs and other visuals.
Later on as we are passing Corran lighthouse, Carol gives a powerpoint presentation on Scottish history, covering the Lord of the Isles, the Clearances and the Jacobites.
It’s not only gloriously sunny but also quite warm by the time the Lord of the Glens is entering the Caledonian Canal at Corpach. Suddenly we seem to be running out of space, but somehow the officers manage to squeeze the ship into the tightly fitting locks. During lunch we make our way up the canal, so that we are ready to take pictures and / or go ashore by the time we reach Neptune’s staircase, a series of 8 locks raising the water level by 64 feet. The ascent of the locks takes us to the ship’s berth for the night, at the hamlet of Banavie. Whilst some of us explore the neighbourhood by bike or on foot, Jack Stocker decides to give an impromptu piano concert, much appreciated by everyone still sitting in the lounge.
Overlooked by a cloudless Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, we re-cap on the days events and things to come as well as various other topics that crop up, then dine another superb meal until it’s time to go to bed or to the pub.
September in Scotland, do I need to say more…
