Waking in the west coast port town of Oban, we were met with beaming sunshine—setting the mood for our day. We sailed inland through Loch Linnhe where we were met by not one but two white-tailed eagles, one of which soared majestically above us for some time. We also spotted several groups of harbor seals, hauled-out of the water on rocky skerries enjoying the sunshine, and then a group of three porpoises—the smallest member of the whale and dolphin family found in the Northeast Atlantic.
As we traveled, our certified photo instructor Brenda delivered an illuminating talk on smartphone photography, with a range of new hints and tips on how to make the most of our phones. The sun was still with us as we entered the Caledonian Canal and following our arrival at the small village of Corpach, we set off to sample some of the local delicacy at the Ben Nevis Distillery!
After everyone had tried the local whiskey, our group split into two, with many choosing to visit the picturesque Glenfinnan Estate with its still lochs and rolling highland hills. It was also a chance for any fiction fans to see the iconic Harry Potter viaduct, which runs through the estate; facilitating the passage of the celebrated Hogwarts Express train. For a smaller contingent of the group, a kayak trip around the waters of Loch Linnhe gave us a privileged view of close-up harbor seals, a large group of grey herons, lion’s main jellyfish and huge flocks of pirouetting herring gulls.
Upon return to the ship, we were treated to a talk from our captain, Tony Reading, on the construction of the Caledonian Canal. After dinner, our day finished off with an evening presentation from Alastair Gibson, the manager at the Glenfinnan Estate who joined us in his traditional Scottish tweeds.
