Our sail today took us past the island of Lismore and through the Corran Narrows, past the last Stevenson-engineered lighthouse on our trip. Konia did a talk on Scottish lighthouses, their engineers, and life at a lighthouse. We then entered the Caledonian Canal–it didn’t seem possible that Lord of the Glens could fit into such a tight space! After a passage through some locks we came to Neptune’s Staircase. These eight locks raise (and lower) the water level by 64 feet, an amazing piece of 19th century engineering!
In the afternoon we took the coach for a short ride to Glenfinnan. This is a place of real beauty–the glen (valley) carved into the hills, with a fresh water loch at the bottom. Some of us looked around the visitor centre that tells the story of the Jacobites as it was here at Glenfinnan 271 years ago to the day that Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard and gathered the Highlanders to march south.
We also had the option of a gentle nature hike with David and Stewart. Or for those that wanted some more exercise Brian (the hotel manager) and Konia offered a hike from the train station past the famous Glenfinnan viaduct (which was built in 1901 and is now famous because of the Harry Potter movies) to the Visitor Centre. Despite the first rain on our trip (!), we all enjoyed the scenery with the heather in full bloom–really bonnie! And yes–we had a lovely time, but we had to look at our feet as we walked–see picture!
After our return all thoughts of rain were forgotten as the crew of Lord of the Glens treated us to mulled wine.
Before dinner the Captain, Tony Reading, entertained and informed us with a talk on the Caledonian Canal.
And to finish off the day Stewart gave a post-dinner talk on ‘A Sense of Place’ showing photographs of Ben Nevis and giving us inspiration for our own photography.
With these images in mind we toddled off to our beds after maybe a wee dram or cuppa looking forward to another fun-filled and interesting day on Lord of the Glens.
