Another beautiful day today! After breakfast we walked into the town of Oban to tour the local distillery. With our eyes and noses, we experienced the whisky-making process and with our palettes, we tasted the resulting product along the way. Also this morning, a group of walkers trekked up to the top of town for a panoramic view and exploration around a historic folly.
In the afternoon we walked along the esplanade out of town to Dunollie Castle, a ruined castle that is being partially restored. Originally a royal center before the time of Saint Columba, it was later expanded in the 13th century as the seat of the McDougalls, who ended up abandoning the castle in the 1700s and building a house nearby. The grounds were lush with flowers and trees, but an expansive view at the top warned of incoming rain. Once back aboard, we cruised away from Oban to Loch Linnhe, passing lighthouses and historic sites along the way. Ben Nevis, the highest point in Britain, did not deign to show its top between squalls.
In the early evening we entered the Caledonian Canal to begin our journey through the great waterway across the country. Before dinner, our captain gave an informative summary of the canal’s construction and history.
