Glencoe, the Scottish Highlands
There is nowhere I have been to in the world like the Scottish Highlands. I mean, its beauty is not even something I’m going to try to explain because I simply cannot put into words how stunning that side of the world is. Glencoe, the Scottish highlands has some of the most breath-taking views. With lochs, moorlands, rivers and don’t get me started on the unending rolling hills, Glencoe is paradise untouched.
When we made up out minds to visit the highlands, I struggled with where to stay. A few areas I considered were Stirling, Skye and Inverness but I always came back to Glencoe.
Glencoe is a hiker’s dream. In fact there are signs around that inform cars of potential walking routes for walkers. The start points are usually quite obvious, marked with a mini car park. We saw so many hikers and I remember saying to Mr E that we will be one of the hikers one day. Soon after I said it, we burst into a fit of laughter LMAO. Hiking isn’t our thing at all but a good scenery definitely is. We actually love to walk a lot as well but I think it’s the “casual-ness” of walks that we like. A “hike” just seems so serious. On a lot of our travels, we’ve walked over 2 hours sometimes (with pauses) and they were fine.
Why the Scottish Highlands
Well, if you’ve been following my Instagram, you’ll know I got into Outlander a few months ago. My best friend has been a fan and kept telling me I’d love it but for some reason, I just never started it. One random weekend, I did and let’s just say, I did nothing else that weekend. I watched Claire and Jamie fall in love in the Scottish highlands and I fell in love with them and their surroundings.
I’m also a massive history lover, which is funny considering I hated history in uni. Now, I live for visiting historic cities and hotels. Give me a regency era site and I’m in my happy place. Point me towards a medieval spot and you’ve made my heart smile.
The fact that Outlander is a history lover’s dream; plus the epic romance between Claire and Jamie, I was (and still am) absolutely sold. In my opinion, there is no greater chemistry from 2 actors on TV. Outlander is definitely my go-to tv series; especially season 1 when Jamie and Claire met and fell in love. I find myself just watching it over and over and I’ve concluded that watching it is my happy place.
History of Glencoe, Scottish Highlands
It’s impossible to visit such scenery without some research. As a self acclaimed history lover, I like to do my googles before I visit anywhere. It also helps me appreciate the location more. A few things I search are movies shot around the site, how long its been standing, if there have been any refurbishments, man made or natural etc. As a travel lover, history is as important as aesthetics to me.
Glencoe is magical. It felt like we had stepped right into a movie set; that’s how unreal the scenery looks. We fought the urge not to keep stopping throughout our drive to take everything in. Very tempting I just confess but the fear of being run over on a major road was greater than my admiration for the jaw dropping backdrops.
Where we went in Glencoe, Scottish Highlands
I have written a blog post about where we stayed, Woodlands Glencoe. So this will focus on where we visited in and around Glencoe.
Three Sisters of Glencoe
Also known as Bidean nam Bian mountain in the Valley Glen. The dramatic ridges are quite majestic and located on the south side of Glencoe. It’s quite easy to find as with all the other places we visited; all along the A82. I simply entered “three sisters car park” and it led us to the exact location. They’re quite popular for climbers; the whole of Glencoe is.
It is believed that Outlander’s opening credits was shot around three sisters of Glencoe. Nobody can point to the exact location but once you’re on the site of the three sisters, it looks exactly like the area where the horse is ridden into the distance.
Glencoe Café
Glencoe Café was a cute find. It wasn’t one that I had on my list of must-sees but as we walked through what I called Glencoe’s “city center“, I spotted the sign and thought to go in. As with most businesses in the highlands, it was small and family owned. It had a homely smell of freshly baked cakes and was quite lovely.
We went in of course and got some cakes and drinks for later. On the rack, I spotted the first book in the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series.
It’s quite obvious that all the shops and sites know why the highlands are now so popular. I mean, it’s most likely always been quite popular but we were told that after the Outlander series became popular, they started to see more international travellers.
Massacre Memorial
So this one was definitely on my list. It’s easy to forget the actual history of the highlands. The story of the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692 has stayed with me since I read about it. 30+ members of the clan Macdonald were massacred in Glencoe. This was a fall out from the Jacobite rising of 1689 even though it was no longer a serious threat. We visited the area where they were believed to have been killed as there is a monument in their honour.
Loch Leven & Loch Leven Seafood Café
You guessed right. A seafood café right on a loch; actually across from the loch. This restaurant came highly recommended by the staff at Glencoe. It was also the one place 2 of my friends who had been to the highlands asked me to visit.
Did it live up to its hype? 100% yes. We called to make a reservation and luckily they squeezed us in last minute. We ordered some lobster, langoustines, seafood pasta and steak. When you’re in the highlands, seafood is an obvious must so we went innnnn! I thought it was quite pricey but I suppose with a popular spot that draws travellers from all over the world, they were well within their rights to be pricey. Food was yummy and vibe was cool.
Across was the famous Loch Leven and the seafood café has benches which allow you eat just by the loch. That is, if the midges allow you to even breathe.
Glen Etive
I remember thinking that Glen Etive is like the younger sister of Glencoe. The less popular and not too busy sister. A total shame though as Glen Etive is simply stunning! Absolutely magnificent. In fact it gave Glencoe a run for its money. Glen Etive is popular with Sky Fall fans.
This Glen sits on River Etive and is just much calmer. It’s also popular with wild campers – we came across a lot of them, tents perched on flat grounds. We had a quiet moment just by River Etive and it resembled a mini waterfall. You see, I had tried to visit some waterfalls but tbh, when I saw the hikes involved to get to them; I shut the plan down immediately.
Buachaille Etive Mor
Now this is why we are here. Not you? Ok, this is why I’m here lol. Every time I googled Glencoe, one photo I could never get out of my mind. It’s actually at the head of Glen Etive towards Glencoe but it seems to be the face of Glencoe now. My map pointed it as being in Glencoe so in my mind, it is in Glencoe. Sorry Glen Etive… ooooops! LOL
Possibly the most photographed and popular mountains in the Scottish highlands, it’s the one that is found on most postcards and tourism artefacts. Buachaille Etive Mor is a Munro*, its elevation is just over 3350 feet.
*A Munro is a name give to any Scottish mountain that is above 3,000 feet. The most popular of them all is Ben Nevis in Fort William. There is actually a popular spot of Munro bagging, which refers to the activity of climbing all listed Munros.
Lagangarbh Hut
I might have saved the best for last.
This is the “wee white hut” that sits in front of the Buachaille Etive Mor. Lagangarbh hut is managed by the Scottish Mountaineering Club and owned by the National Trust. I think it’s the most fascinating little cottage I might have come across in my whole life.
The hut was a crofting home. Crofting referred to smaller scale food production; almost like a farm but crofters generally didn’t own the land upon which they produced food. Crofting is still practised in the highlands today.
Lagangarbh Hut can actually be rented. It has 20 rooms and it’s current custodian, Bernard Swan is the contact person to request a stay. Of course, it’s most sought after so there is a slim chance of actually lodging. Getting up close to the house was exciting for me as the roofing is still the Ballachulish roofing, which was used throughout the highlands in the past. The walls are strongly built to withstand the highland temperatures.
I was there for its beauty and safe to say, it surpassed my expectations.
Important things to note in Glencoe, the Scottish Highlands
- Telephone service is very temperamental. Thankfully, most locations were off the A82 and there are signposts. Relying on telephone network for google maps was stressssss.
- Reading signs are very important. Sometimes the Satnav or Google maps could lead you to a random location. What will save you is the signs.
- Beware of hikers
- Don’t stop and park on random spots. There are designated spots to park. It’s tempting to want to stop every time for a photo op but be careful as it’s a very busy route.
If there is one place to visit in the Scottish highlands, it’s Glencoe. How have I been able to deduce this even though I haven’t visited everywhere in the highlands? I don’t know but I feel it deep within my heart, body and soul. Ok I’m being quite extra lmao but it’s definitely quite spectacular! What I can promise you is that there is absolutely nowhere in the world like Glencoe, the Scottish Highlands. Feel free to quote me anywhere.
Bisous, ‘Bugo x
2 Comments
David Craig
Thank You for the views
we will be there next spring. We will see most all of Scotland. from Inverness to Aberdeen to Glasgow to Glencoe to Skye and back to Inverness. I also found a Castle that had my name on it and with the Gorden Clan
Thanks Again
Bugo
You’re welcome David! Oh that’s a really cool route; I’d love to visit Inverness and Skye one day.