Yesterday’s clear skies had given way to rain and strong winds in Oban Harbour during breakfast but, nonetheless, several hardy souls braved the hike to the peculiar monument known as McCaig’s Folly, sitting high on the cliff above the town. This huge stone structure is the Roman Coliseum in miniature and was the brainchild of a 19th century local businessman, John McCaig. Today it serves as a great viewing platform, looking out over several adjoining waterways, islands and portions of the mainland. The hike was stiff and steep but well worth the effort. The compensation for the earlier exertions was that we returned to town via the Oban Whisky Distillery where we were given not only a guided tour of the whole facility but also a healthy “wee dram” at the end. This definitely revived our spirits and soul!
We then said good bye to little Oban and headed north for the long and narrow sea inlet called Loch Linne. En route Steve gave a talk which unraveled the mysteries of the Jacobites and helped set the scene for several of our future stops, including our scheduled stop for later today – Glenfinnan. But before leaving for Glenfinnan, Lord of the Glens left the open waters of Loch Linne and stealthily slid into the first lock of the Caledonian Canal. This is a very tricky maneuver, as the ship has very little clearance on either side of the lock walls, but Captain Reading accomplished the navigation with great skill.
The weather started to cooperate with us because the sun finally peeked out just as we boarded our coach in the afternoon and made the short drive to Glenfinnan. It was here in August 1745 that Bonnie Prince Charlie arrived from France to start what would become the third Jacobite uprising. To commemorate this historical event a tall tower was erected many years ago with a large statue of a Highland warrior atop. Close by is the famous Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct, known the world over by railway enthusiasts and brought to the public eye recently when it was featured in the modern Harry Potter films. We were fortunate enough to see the aforesaid train steam its way across the high viaduct.
A new hiking trail has been opened up in Glenfinnan and a group of us made the steep climb along the trail which ends at the railway station where the rest of the group joined us for the train ride back to the ship.
The evening was rounded off magnificently by a local group of musicians called “Peat Reek” playing a variety of instruments and singing songs in English and Gaelic. This was authentic Scottish traditional music at its best. All in all, it had been a very full and satisfying day in the heart of Scotland.
