It’s hard to imagine anything more iconic, as it embodies all the beauty of the Scottish Highlands in just one valley: the Glencoe Valley…
Introduction and travel report
Yes, I was here a few years ago. On my motorbike. It was autumn, it was cold and it was wet. But I was still deeply impressed by this valley.
This time, we are travelling in a motorhome and spending just under three weeks touring Scotland. And, of course, we are also passing through the Glencoe Valley, because I want to see it again and my wife has never been here before.
The Glencoe Valley runs lengthwise from south to north through Rannoch Moor and the central Highlands to the village of Glencoe, hence its name.
It is by no means an insider tip, as many travellers use the route via Loch Lomond and the Glencoe Valley to the northern or western Highlands.
As a result, there are many tourists on the narrow, two-lane road. There are not many parking spaces to stop and take a few photos, and in the high season they are sure to be full.
But even now, in early summer, it’s not that easy to park the motorhome.
However, it’s definitely worth taking the time to consciously absorb the beautiful landscapes rather than just driving past them.
This is particularly easy to do when hiking, of course. There are numerous hiking trails in the region and several lodges where hikers set off on their tours and mountain hikes.
However, the mountain world in the central Highlands is truly impressive. Some of Scotland’s highest mountains are located here, and you can see some of the steepest mountain slopes.
The approximately 18-kilometre-long Valley of Glencoe cuts deep into the surrounding mountains. But it is not only long, it is also wide. And that is what makes it special: you can see far into the distance and still admire high mountain ranges.
Among other things, you will find the Three Sisters here, three high mountains that form a beautiful panorama right next to each other. But the surrounding mountains also offer incredible views.
We are luckier this time than I was last time. The weather is mixed, but at least it is hardly raining. A little drizzle, otherwise cloudy, windy, but not wet.
From Loch Lomond in the south, we drove via Crianlarich and Tyndrum. The drive itself was simply wonderful.
In Rannoch Moor, there is a viewpoint where a few cars can park at the side of the road. A few metres up the hill, I can see several lakes in the moor, which stretches for many kilometres in both directions.
It is the largest contiguous moorland area in Great Britain and certainly one of the largest moors in Europe. Now, in early summer, the moor is predominantly brown, as the grass and herbs still need to recover from the long winter.
In high and late summer, there will be large areas of bright green and purple here: green ferns and heather, which will then be in bloom. Today, the dreary picture is brightened only by a few birch trees.
As bleak as moors may seem at first glance, they are also impressive ecosystems. And in the past, they provided people with work and warmth, because in the almost treeless landscapes of the highlands, houses were clad with peat slabs and roofs were covered with thick layers of heather.
Dried peat was used as fuel in open fireplaces and later in fireplaces and stoves. Cutting and drying peat was therefore an important job at that time, as was collecting heather.
At the Glencoe Visitor Centre, you can learn more about this and life in the Highlands. The centre is located at the northern end of the valley, near the village of Glencoe. It is built of wood and blends into the landscape.
In addition to a shop and café, you will also find an interesting small exhibition on the Glencoe Nature Reserve and the Scottish Mountain Rescue Service.
There is also a good informative film about the construction of the turf house and, in the outdoor area, the turf house itself, which is well worth seeing. It was lovingly built by the local communities in the style of the early turf houses of the Highlands. The location is well chosen, as it is surrounded by beautiful countryside.
There are also a few beautiful walking trails here in the Nature Reserve, making the Glencoe Visitor Centre the perfect place for a lunch break or even a longer visit. (See also: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/glencoe).
At the northern end of the valley, just before the Visitor Centre, there is another small car park. A bridge takes you to the other side, where you can see a lake and a single, small, white house standing directly in front of high mountain slopes.
This is probably the most photographed house in the Highlands. I simply have to take photos too, because the view is just incredible. The location by the lake with the view of the mountains – and then this little house in front of the mighty mountain slopes – unbelievable!
I had stopped a little earlier because there was a small waterfall cascading through the rocks and forming a small pond at its foot – also beautiful.
As you can see, my article is not very chronological and a bit jumbled. So I’ll try to list the highlights again, from south to north: Rannoch Moor Viewpoint – Glencoe Viewpoint – Glencoe Waterfall – Three Sisters Viewpoint – Loch Achtriochtan Viewpoint (house by the lake and mountain) – Glencoe Visitor Centre.
All clear? You don’t have to remember this, just drive through the valley and stop wherever you can – then you’ll be doing everything right!
Conclusion
The Glencoe Valley is a must-see on your trip to the Highlands. The Central Highlands are home to Scotland’s highest and most impressive mountains, and the Glencoe Valley offers the most beautiful views within just a few kilometres.
If you are travelling further north or west, you can drive through here. And even if you don’t have much time to explore the whole of the Highlands at your leisure, you can quickly and easily get a fantastic insight into Scotland’s wonderful mountain landscapes here.
However, it is also a tourist hotspot, and especially in the summer months, you will by no means be alone here. Nevertheless, the Valley of Glencoe is definitely a scenic highlight in the Scottish Highlands that is well worth seeing!
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Image credit cover photo: Hosue in the Mountains at Glencoe Valley (Photo: Ulrich Knüppel-Gertberg)
