The clouds broke in the early morning to give us a glimpse of blue sky and sun over breakfast. Not long after, we departed Corpach and completed the final section of the Caledonian Canal. Locals and tourists gathered on the walkway beside the canal to wave hello to guests aboard Lord of the Glens.
After we sailed through Loch Linnhe, our expedition leader David gave a fascinating presentation on Celtic Christianity. As we entered the Sound of Mull and approached Oban, we heard stories from our on-board National Geographic photographer, Jim, about his time in Scotland. He shared witty tales of Scottish culture and showed us some stunning photographs of highland scenery.
Next, it was time for lunch. As we sat down to enjoy the chef’s culinary creations, we arrived in Oban. The sun was shining but not for long! By the time we departed for our walk up to McCaig’s Folly — a Colosseum-shaped monument that towers over Oban — the rain was pouring. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the spectacular views out across the water. Jim gave some useful iPhone photography tips to help us capture the size and scale of the monument, which is 200 meters in circumference. Some guests also joined a walk to Dunollie Castle, where they immersed themselves in the history of Clan MacDougall and explored the surrounding woodlands.
Oban has a wide range of charming gift shops and cafes, and the rest of the afternoon was free for guests to explore these treasures. By the time we were all back on board for dinner, the sun was shining, and it was a beautiful evening. After dinner, we were treated to a wonderful whiskey tasting.
Filled with the warmth of a great dinner and a few whiskeys, we headed to bed for a good night’s sleep ahead of the next day’s adventure to Iona.
