In search of the Highlands: Day 4

From Skye to Oban

Kyleakin, Skye

Ben Nevis whisky distillery (75,6miles -1h. 46min-  A87 and A82)

A visit to Scotland is probably not complete without the required stop at a whisky distillery. Ben Nevis distillery offers a tour on their building with a complete description of the process of distilling the whisky and a shot of the famous Scotch drink for £4. Don’t expect much from this visit, as you will only see tanks of different sizes, but the distinctive smell of the unfinished whisky and the guide explanation are most likely worth it. Illegal during centuries, the whisky was part of the farming and crafting business in the Highlands, to bring a bit of comfort to an existence often cold and harsh. 

Ben Nevis Distillery

Fort William (1,3 miles -6min)

Fort William is the largest town in the Highlands and a major tourist centre for hill walking. Very close to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles (4409 ft), Fort William lies on the shores of seawater Loch Linnhe. It is worth having a walk through the high street and grab some lunch at Nevis Bakery, where they offer a great selection of pies locally produced. The south-west end of the high street leads to the bank of the Loch, which is slightly disappointed as there is a busy road only a few feet away.  

Nevis Bakery, Fort William

Glen Coe (20,1 miles -29min- A82)

Glen Coe offers majestic mountain scenery. It is difficult to envisage that more than four centuries ago a horrible massacre took place in this land. 

In 1691 King William III offered the pardon to those Highland clans who had participated in the Jacobite uprising two years before. To accept the pardon the clans should take an oath of allegiance to him by the first of January of 1692. 

Alastair MacDonald, the Chief of the Clan, went to Inverlochy (now Fort William) on 31 December 1691, to find out that he should have gone to Inveraray instead. He got there five days late and therefore his clan didn’t appear on the list of those who had accepted the pardon. The government wanted to set an example by punishing one of the clans who failed to take the oath. Some did not even make the effort to take it, but it was not the case of the MacDonalds, who sadly were selected to set the example, as they lived in a valley whose exists could easily be blocked. 

Glen Coe

At 5am on the 13 February there were up to 500 MacDonalds scattered over the Glen Coe, about to be killed. The sound of the guns warned to most, who escaped into the snowed mountains. Finally 38 MacDonalds were killed by troops and some others died because of the cold in the mountains. 

Currently Glen Coe valley is a family friendly area for walks, suitable for those who are not used to it and want to enjoy the magic of its outstanding beauty scenery.  

Oban (37,8 miles -56min- A828)

Known as the Seafood capital of Scotland, Oban is a seaside town which offers an interesting cultural night life. The Skipinnish Ceilidh House (34-38 George Street) is a highly recommended musical experience while in Oban. Professional musicians and dancers offer authentic Highland music and the opportunity to explore by themselves the depth of the music culture in the Highlands, since the people in the audience can take part in the show by dancing and singing with the musicians in some of the songs. 

Piper at Oban's Ceilidh House