This Highland village sits amid dramatic mountain peaks and lochs. Site of the 1692 MacDonald clan massacre, it's now a base for mountain hiking and winter skiing.
Glencoe's mountains rise 3,000 feet from the narrow glen floor in western Scotland. You can walk the same paths where scenes from Harry Potter and James Bond were filmed, climb the challenging Bidean nam Bian peak, or explore the Folk Museum housed in an 18th-century thatched cottage. The area's well-marked trails include routes to The Three Sisters peaks and paths through the valley floor, where red deer graze among the heather.
Getting to Glencoe
The A82 road from Glasgow runs through the heart of Glencoe. CityLink buses run four times daily from Glasgow Buchanan Station, taking three hours to reach the village. Local bus N44 connects Fort William to Glencoe six times daily, with stops at key hiking trailheads. Many walkers arrive via the West Highland Way, which connects Kinlochleven to Fort William through Glencoe.
The Mountains and Valley
The valley stretches for ten miles, shaped by glaciers during the last ice age. The Three Sisters - three distinct ridges north of Coire Gabhail - reach heights over 3,000 feet. Buachaille Etive Mòr mountain stands at the entrance to the glen, its distinctive pyramid shape visible for miles. In winter, snow covers the peaks, while summer brings purple heather to the slopes. Autumn turns the vegetation deep red and brown.
Walking and Climbing Routes
The Lost Valley (Coire Gabhail) trail leads to a meadow where the MacDonald clan once kept their cattle. When you climb Bidean nam Bian (3,770 feet), you'll need good navigation skills to traverse the rocky terrain. At Glencoe Mountain Resort, you can choose from trails ranging from 30-minute walks to full-day hikes. A chairlift runs daily from 9AM to 4PM, giving access to higher mountain paths.
Village Life and Museums
The village sits where River Coe meets Loch Leven. The Glencoe Folk Museum displays local artifacts and written accounts of Highland life in its thatched cottage building. At the National Trust for Scotland's Visitor Centre, you'll find geological exhibits and detailed maps of walking routes. The village has a post office, grocery store, and cafes. Walking paths along the river bank let you spot local wildlife like red deer and pine martens.
The Glencoe Massacre
In February 1692, government troops from Clan Campbell killed 38 members of Clan MacDonald after staying in their homes for nearly two weeks. The soldiers attacked in the early morning, breaking the Highland code of hospitality. This event changed relationships between Highland clans permanently and remains an important part of local history.
