Banavie & Neptune’s Staircase to Oban
During breakfast we were privileged to experience one of the highlights of the Caledonian Canal: Neptune’s Staircase. These 8 locks raise or in our case lower the water level by 64ft over a space of 500 yards. A major achievement – but considering this was created in the 19th century – simply amazing!!
We then continued along the canal to sail into Loch Linnhe, the Atlantic.
After a gorgeous sail past Ballachulish Bridge, Castle Stalker, various islands like Balnagowan, Shuna, Lismore and Kerrera, and the ruin of Dunollie Castle, we reach Oban.
You can’t beat Oban on a day like this – with bright sunshine and fantastic cloud formations, heaven on earth. Especially if you ‘enhance’ your view with a dram of whisky, like we did after our tour of Oban Distillery.
Oban is a sizeable town, so shopping is high on the agenda, followed by a guided walk to McCaig’s folly, sitting proud on top of the hill above Oban. It was built by James Stuart McCaig to commemorate his family and himself.
Recap, like everyday, encouraged us to think of the various aspects of Scotland, its history and wildlife – new view points on old themes.
Strengthened by another delicious meal, some of us went off went to listen to some local live music, whilst the sun was setting in the west.
During breakfast we were privileged to experience one of the highlights of the Caledonian Canal: Neptune’s Staircase. These 8 locks raise or in our case lower the water level by 64ft over a space of 500 yards. A major achievement – but considering this was created in the 19th century – simply amazing!!
We then continued along the canal to sail into Loch Linnhe, the Atlantic.
After a gorgeous sail past Ballachulish Bridge, Castle Stalker, various islands like Balnagowan, Shuna, Lismore and Kerrera, and the ruin of Dunollie Castle, we reach Oban.
You can’t beat Oban on a day like this – with bright sunshine and fantastic cloud formations, heaven on earth. Especially if you ‘enhance’ your view with a dram of whisky, like we did after our tour of Oban Distillery.
Oban is a sizeable town, so shopping is high on the agenda, followed by a guided walk to McCaig’s folly, sitting proud on top of the hill above Oban. It was built by James Stuart McCaig to commemorate his family and himself.
Recap, like everyday, encouraged us to think of the various aspects of Scotland, its history and wildlife – new view points on old themes.
Strengthened by another delicious meal, some of us went off went to listen to some local live music, whilst the sun was setting in the west.
