A beautiful calm morning with stunning reflections on the waters of the Caledonian Canal soon enticed us to come on deck. Our sail with Lord of the Glens took us across the highest point of the canal at Loch Oich at 106 feet. Here Konia entertained us with some gruesome stories up to Laggan Avenue. Trees on the shore keep up the banks and create the amazing impression of sailing through a forest—on a cruise ship! Photographic opportunities galore where pointed out by Steve and then David did a talk on the Highland Clearances explaining much about this landscape steeped in history.
Over lunch we sailed down Neptune’s Staircase. Eight locks are connected here to lower the water level by 64 feet. This is an amazing feature of Victorian engineering.
After lunch a short coach ride took us to Glenfinnan. A stunning freshwater loch with hills tumbling down to it, lush vegetation, and a small visitor centre make this a great place to visit.
We all watched the steam train go across the Glenfinnan viaduct that featured in the Harry Potter movies. Quite a sight!
Some of us then took a steep hike to the train station with David and Steve, taking in the views. There was also an option of going for a gentle walk with Konia to enjoy nature or see the exhibition on the Jacobites at the visitor centre and to have a look at beautiful Loch Shiel. For those that hadn’t gone for the big hike to the station the coach took us up to meet up with our fellow travellers again for the train ride back to Corpach and Lord of the Glens.
A photography lecture by Steve before dinner helped us to rethink people photography.
With the most beautiful light shining on Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain at 4,408 feet, we went in for dinner—a great day was had by all.
