Scotland - The Highlands, Caledonian Canal and Hebrides with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions

August 30, 2018

Almost 200 years ago, engineers built The Caledonian Canal, a man-made canal that connects five natural lakes and spans Scotland from Inverness (in the east), to Corpach (in the west). Sailing the canal offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Scottish Highlands. And on the west coast, the mouth of the canal offers access to some of the the Inner Hebridean Islands. For three weeks, I traveled on a small ship, Lord of the Glens, and traversed this area to explore the landscape, culture and history. Our journey ultimately ended in Edinburgh with a chance to see its amazing architecture and witness the annual Military Tattoo. Here are a few images that I made along the way.

Aboard Lord of the Glens at Fort Augustus, Scotland, local musicians entertain guests with traditional instruments.

Aboard Lord of the Glens at Fort Augustus, Scotland, local musicians entertain guests with traditional instruments.

A couple shares a moment while enjoying the view and scenery along The Caledonian Canal from the bow of Lord of the Glens.

A couple shares a moment while enjoying the view and scenery along The Caledonian Canal from the bow of Lord of the Glens.

Two guests study the legend on a Scotland map while aboard Lord of the Glens.

Two guests study the legend on a Scotland map while aboard Lord of the Glens.

Guests walk through the cemetery on Iona, a place steeped in religious history.

Guests walk through the cemetery on Iona, a place steeped in religious history.

Outside Armadale, Scotland, a guest studies a map aboard Lord of the Glens.

Outside Armadale, Scotland, a guest studies a map aboard Lord of the Glens.

On Iona, Scotland, a young girl poses for a portrait while displaying her local daily catch.

On Iona, Scotland, a young girl poses for a portrait while displaying her local daily catch.

A woman samples Oban Whisky in the distillery tasting room.

A woman samples Oban Whisky in the distillery tasting room.

In Inverness, Scotland, Junior Highland Dancers perform for guests on Lord of the Glens.

In Inverness, Scotland, Junior Highland Dancers perform for guests on Lord of the Glens.

While docked in Corpach, Scotland, along the Caledonian Canal, a rainbow spans the landscape.

While docked in Corpach, Scotland, along the Caledonian Canal, a rainbow spans the landscape.

A herd of Highland Cattle roam the shoreline along the Isle of Mull, Scotland.

A herd of Highland Cattle roam the shoreline along the Isle of Mull, Scotland.

On the Isle of Eigg, Scotland, a dog sits next to its owner.

On the Isle of Eigg, Scotland, a dog sits next to its owner.

The Balmoral Hotel’s tower and The Edinburgh Castle are illuminated at dusk as seen from Calton Hill.

The Balmoral Hotel’s tower and The Edinburgh Castle are illuminated at dusk as seen from Calton Hill.

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In Alert Bay, British Columbia, First Nations people - the #Kwakwaka’wakw - perform a cultural dance within their traditional Longhouse. Image made while exploring with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions
#archive #tradition

In Alert Bay, British Columbia, First Nations people - the #Kwakwaka’wakw - perform a cultural dance within their traditional Longhouse. Image made while exploring with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions #archive #tradition

LeConte #Glacier - seen from a float plane - is the southernmost tidewater glacier in #Alaska. As ice calves from its face, it clogs the mouth of the waterway. The perspective from the air shows how this massive river of ice bends around and carves t

LeConte #Glacier - seen from a float plane - is the southernmost tidewater glacier in #Alaska. As ice calves from its face, it clogs the mouth of the waterway. The perspective from the air shows how this massive river of ice bends around and carves the surrounding landscape. Image made while exploring with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions

While visiting Petersburg, Alaska, we had an option of flying over LeConte #Glacier. I was fortunate (thanks to a few empty seats and a kind leader) to document the ride, and one person’s vantage point here, above the river of ice below. Photo

While visiting Petersburg, Alaska, we had an option of flying over LeConte #Glacier. I was fortunate (thanks to a few empty seats and a kind leader) to document the ride, and one person’s vantage point here, above the river of ice below. Photo made while exploring Southeast #Alaska with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions

South Sawyer #Glacier. Sitting at the face of a glacier in a DIB. At hundreds of feet tall, that wall is massive, and the force behind it, to carve mountains and create fjords, is extraordinary. But like many glaciers around the world, this one has b

South Sawyer #Glacier. Sitting at the face of a glacier in a DIB. At hundreds of feet tall, that wall is massive, and the force behind it, to carve mountains and create fjords, is extraordinary. But like many glaciers around the world, this one has been retreating and separating over the years. Photo made while exploring Southeast #Alaska and Tracy Arm with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions

Good form. Check. Brace for impact. Yes. Time for a cold water plunge near Port Althorp in #Alaska. Photo made while exploring with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions

Good form. Check. Brace for impact. Yes. Time for a cold water plunge near Port Althorp in #Alaska. Photo made while exploring with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions

An immature bald #eagle soars through Misty Fjords National Monument in #Alaska. Photo made while exploring with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions

#baldeagle #raptor

An immature bald #eagle soars through Misty Fjords National Monument in #Alaska. Photo made while exploring with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions #baldeagle #raptor

A small group of humpback whales bubble feed on herring near Snow Pass in #Alaska. This feeding habit is rather extraordinary. The whales find a school of fish. From below, one whale will blow a ring of bubbles, which traps the fish. A second whale w

A small group of humpback whales bubble feed on herring near Snow Pass in #Alaska. This feeding habit is rather extraordinary. The whales find a school of fish. From below, one whale will blow a ring of bubbles, which traps the fish. A second whale will vocalize, thus scaring the fish. Then the whales will swim upwards, through the ring, mouths agape, gulping water and fish. Only certain individuals display this habit, and those whales are not related. Photo made while exploring with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions #humpbackwhales #bubblenetfeeding

A marvelous display of the northern lights seen from the bow of the National Geographic Sea Lion while cruising in Chatham Strait. It was definitely worth getting out of bed in the early hours of the morning to witness and capture. Thanks Mother Natu

A marvelous display of the northern lights seen from the bow of the National Geographic Sea Lion while cruising in Chatham Strait. It was definitely worth getting out of bed in the early hours of the morning to witness and capture. Thanks Mother Nature and the Bridge for a good show! Photo made while exploring #Alaska with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions

The southwestern end of the Caledonian Canal reaches Corpach. Upon arriving and docking a brisk shower swept through and left us with a double #rainbow. Photo made while traveling through #Scotland with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions

The southwestern end of the Caledonian Canal reaches Corpach. Upon arriving and docking a brisk shower swept through and left us with a double #rainbow. Photo made while traveling through #Scotland with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions

On the Isle of Mull, #Tobermory sits along the northern entrance to the Sound of Mull. The colorful facades are from a facelift that was featured in the children’s show Balamory. Here first light illuminates the landscape seen from the bow of o

On the Isle of Mull, #Tobermory sits along the northern entrance to the Sound of Mull. The colorful facades are from a facelift that was featured in the children’s show Balamory. Here first light illuminates the landscape seen from the bow of our ship - Lord of the Glens - while docked. Photo made while traveling through #Scotland with @lindbladexp and @natgeoexpeditions