From McCaig’s Tower in Oban to the Railway Viaduct at Glenfinnan, today was a day of famous Scottish landmarks.
To make the most of our morning in Oban, the early risers of us got up at 6:30 a.m. for a hike up to McCaig’s Tower, better known as McCaig’s Folly. It is a prominent feature of the town — 200 meters in circumference and shaped like the Colosseum — that offers sweeping views across the water. There wasn’t a soul in sight, and it felt like we had the vast space to ourselves. As the warm sunshine broke through the clouds, we gathered on the viewing platform to watch the sleepy town below stir from its slumber.
Once back on board, we settled in for a scenic sail down Loch Linnhe towards Corpach. We had an exciting afternoon of activities ahead with the choice of kayaking on Loch Linnhe or hiking at Glenfinnan. The railway viaduct at Glenfinnan is featured in a few of the Harry Potter movies, and a number of us just had to see if we could catch the train to Hogwarts. Also at Glenfinnan is the Jacobite Memorial, a striking 59-foot-high monument commemorating the clansmen who joined Bonnie Prince Charlie for his Jacobite rebellion; several of the guests were keen to capture a photo of this impressive tribute.
The gentle sunshine sparkling on the loch enticed the rest of us to spend the afternoon on the water. As we paddled, the legendary peak of Ben Nevis towered above us, and we were lucky enough to spot some herons.
Later we all gathered in the lounge with some drinks and snacks to hear Captain Tony present the history of the Caledonian Canal and the brilliant engineer behind it all: Thomas Telford.
