Caledonian Canal & Glenfinnan
This morning we sailed from Fort Augustus to Banavie. This took us through Kytra and Cullochy locks up the canal. Once passed the Aberchalder Swing Bridge, we traveled across Loch Oich passed the 17th century ruin of Invergarry Castle and the Well of the Seven Heads.
Laggan Avenue was brightly lit against a dark sky. We saw more of this dramatic light throughout the day today – heavenly for photographers and painters. On Loch Lochy David Barnes gave a talk on Celtic Christianity and Iona in preparation for tomorrow’s trip.
We sailed on through Gairlochy locks and were really lucky with Moy bridge, the last of the original swing bridges. This bridge is still operated by hand and the bridge keeper has to make his way across to the other half of the bridge. The bridge was closed when we approached it! Normally it’s always open as it isn’t used all that often, but someone had just been through and we could watch the swing bridge being opened for us. Amazing!!
Over lunch we arrived in Banavie and started down Neptune’s staircase. Howard from Caledonian coaches collected us there and drove us to Glenfinnan. This is a gorgeous spot! We spent some time exploring the Jacobite exhibition, watched the Jacobite steam train pass over the Glenfinnan viaduct, took photographs of the Glenfinnan Monument (commemorating the raising of the standard by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745), and went for a nature walk with Ian. We looked at lichens growing on rocks, Scots pine and rowan trees. Our visit to Glenfinnan was rounded off by a visit to the Railway museum at Glenfinnan station and a ride on the train across Glenfinnan viaduct and back to Corpach.
During recap we sailed out of the Caledonian Canal in to the Atlantic – the only large passenger ship to be doing this! The ship berthed at Corpach harbor for the night, and the night was celebrated with a few whiskies after dinner, as we were entertained with a whisky talk by John Carmichael.
Slaínte mhath. (‘Your health’ in Gaelic).
