This morning we awoke in the coastal town of Oban, known as the seafood capital of Scotland, and although we were not going to sample any of the oceans delicacies the town is known for, we would have the opportunity to sample one of the other famous products that calls Oban its home. So we gathered dockside in the soft rain so frequent to Oban and then proceeded a short distance to Oban’s favorite son—the Oban Distillery. There are many distilleries in Scotland but it is here in Oban that arguably some of the finest whiskey is made. The distillery was actually here some seven years before Oban became a town, and the town literally grew up around it. Because of this, the distillery has been forced to stay small which has been a blessing to the lovers of the nectar that comes from the barrels storing the whiskey. Oban Distillery decided that although it has other distilleries around the country, this factory would distill its whiskey in the traditional way, keeping the taste of the product unique even to its other factories located elsewhere. The most fascinating tour of how whiskey is made concluded with as it is called, “A wee dram.” For those less romantic about how they sip their whiskey, a quick shot.
After our morning tour we once again boarded Lord of the Glen and headed up Loch Linnhe, passing Lismore Island, and the fast flowing Corran Narrows, on our way to Glenfinnan. We entered the first lock of the Caledonian Canal at the Corpach Sea Lock. The canal has been in service since 1822 when the first vessel passed through on the 22 of October in 1822. The canal is built on a geological faultily known as the Great Glenn, and links four lochs, (or lakes), Loch Lochy, Oich, Ness, and Dochfour.
In the afternoon we embarked on a bus to Glenfinnan Monument Visitor Center, where Bonnie Prince Charlie came ashore and raised his standard for the first time, thus signifying the start of third Jacobite Rebellion that would end a year later in the Battle of Culloden. The center also offers a superb view of the Glennfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Happy Potter movies. Nowadays, four times a day a replica of the Harry Potter train rolls across the viaduct and many fans of the movies come to view the passing. While there some of us chose to hike to our next destination while others stay behind to visit the center and explore the grounds before boarding our bus again and onward to the train station for a short trip back to our ship on the West Highland Train Line, which gives us the chance to train across the viaduct ourselves.
Back on board we get a short presentation by our expedition leader on the history of the Jacobite Rebellion.
