Glen Coe, in Scotland, is a picturesque valley that draws sightseers in search of breathtaking Highland views. As well as being included in the National Scenic Area system, Glen Coe has been designated as a national nature reserve. It’s a great place to go mountain biking, hiking, or just enjoy nature. It is also one of our favorite places to take pictures in all of Scotland. The small Scottish village of Glencoe known for its stunning scenery and abundance of outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and even skiing (in the winter).
Film buffs love it too, as the dramatic landscape of Glen Coe has been featured in a wide variety of films and television shows. Glen Coe has featured in numerous movies, from Harry Potter to James Bond. How to get here, where to stay in Glen Coe, must-see attractions, and more are all covered in today’s post so you can plan your own trip to this beautiful area. Let’s begin with the fundamentals.
The Necessary Particulars Regarding a Trip to Glen Coe
For starters, I’ll give you all the information you need to organize your own trip to Glen Coe. You can use this information to figure out when you want to go, how you want to get there, and where you want to stay.
Glen Coe or Glencoe?
The names “Glen Coe” and “Glencoe” are often used interchangeably, so keep that in mind as you conduct your research. For those unfamiliar with Scotland, a “glen” is a valley, so Glen Coe is the actual valley. The settlement at the valley’s base considers Glencoe. In this post, I will use Glen Coe to refer to the valley and surrounding area and Glencoe to refer to the town itself.
The Two Mountains of Glencoe and Etive
What happened to Glen Coe?
The Scottish valley of Glen Coe is located in the Argyllshire Highlands. Located in western Scotland, with Glencoe as the closest settlement. Drive time to Glen Coe from Edinburgh is approximately 2.5 hours, 90 minutes from Glasgow, 16 minutes from Fort William, and 85 minutes from Inverness (2 hours).
Finding Your Way Around Glen Coe
Glen Coe can be reached in a variety of ways. Let’s start with the fact that you’re a legal driver. As previously mentioned, the trip takes between 2 and 2.5 hours by car from Glasgow, Inverness, and Edinburgh. Having a car will give you the most freedom to explore the surrounding area and move around within the Glen Coe valley. From Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Inverness, a self-driven day trip to Glen Coe is possible, though a longer stay will allow for more exploration of the area.
Glen Coe is also accessible via public transportation. Bridge of Orchy is home to a train station with direct routes to both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Fort William also boasts a train station.
Coaches and buses will also take you to Fort William. The bus ride from Inverness to Fort William only takes a couple of hours, making this option the most convenient. View train and bus schedules, as well as purchase tickets in advance, right here.
Local buses run from Fort William to Glencoe village and other stops in the Glen Coe valley. The Traveline Scotland website provides accurate times for all of Scotland’s public transportation options. Last but not least, taking a tour is one of the most convenient ways to get to Glen Coe from the major cities in Scotland. Glen Coe is a popular stop for both day trips and longer vacations. This is the easiest option if you don’t have a car or would rather let someone else navigate the winding roads in the highlands than do it yourself.
Below are some tour itineraries we recommend checking out. For more information, read the section about Glen Coe tours below.
Glen Coe: When to Go
We’ve been to Glen Coe at various times of the year and loved it each time. The sights and activities available to you will vary depending on the time of year you choose to visit. Seasonal considerations are listed below. It’s also important to remember that Scotland’s weather can be unpredictable at any time of year; you should pack for the possibility of rain and cooler temperatures even in the height of summer.
Seeing Glen Coe in the Winter Glen Coe is stunning in the winter, with snow-capped mountains and gorgeous golden winter light. For photography purposes, this is among my favorite times to go. The Glencoe ski resort is open during the winter months for all you skiers out there.
Seeing Glen Coe in the winter presents its own unique challenges. Bad weather is possible, daylight hours are shorter, and temperatures drop significantly.
Going to Glen Coe in the Spring
There are many advantages to visiting Glen Coe in the spring. Wildflowers bloom, days get longer, and the landscape transforms from brown to green. Snow may still be present in the mountains in the spring, providing a nice point of contrast for your photographs, but you can expect fewer tourists than in the summer.
A summertime trip to Glen Coe
Visit Glen Coe in the summer for the best chance of pleasant weather. Although “hot” weather in Scotland is unusual, Glen Coe in the summer can reach the mid-20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit). The weather will be perfect for strolling, and there will be plenty of time to take in the sights.
There are, of course, drawbacks to traveling there in the summer. There will be a great increase in foot and vehicle traffic, and finding a parking spot will be more difficult. The dreaded highland midge, a swarming, biting insect, is active during the summer months. Insect repellent is an absolute must for a summer trip to the highlands.
Going to Glen Coe in the Fall
The changing of the leaves in Scotland’s forests in the fall can be a sight to behold. Also, the light is often more beautiful for photography during this time of year, and crowds tend to thin out a bit.
While much of Glencoe is treeless moorland, there are some wooded areas that make for picturesque backdrops for photographs. Furthermore, heather typically blooms in early Autumn, turning the landscape a vibrant purple.
Glen Coe camping
Possible Courses of Action
Right in the middle of Glen Coe, next to the ski center, is the year-round, family-friendly Glencoe Mountain Campsite. Tent sites and RV/trailer hookups are available. There is a peaceful campsite with tent pitches and showers called Red Squirrel Campground, and it’s located on the river Coe just a couple of miles outside of Glencoe village. We welcome RVs, but we don’t have any amenities for them.
On the shores of Loch Leven is the Invercoe Caravan & Camping Park, which features tent sites, unhooked RVs, and RVs with hookups. In addition, there are lodges to stay in. Bear in mind that wild camping is legal in Scotland. It’s not hard to figure out that this refers to camping in a tent, and that tent camping is generally defined as camping in a remote location, far from roads and populated areas. Toy haulers and RVs are not included. Therefore, this is a viable choice if you plan on venturing deep into the wilderness. If you want to learn more about free camping in Scotland, check out the Scottish Outdoor access code website.
Lodging in Glen Coe
In order to spend more than a day in Glen Coe, you will need lodging. A variety of lodgings are available, some within the Glen itself and others within a short drive away. Glencoe Village and Bridge of Orchy are the closest populated areas. Fort William is conveniently located near Glen Coe, making it an excellent home base. Just outside of Glencoe village is the highly regarded Glencoe Youth Hostel, where you can choose between shared and private rooms and use the hostel’s fully equipped kitchen to cook your own meals.
Royal Atirian Lodgins
The Clachaig Inn, conveniently located in the Glen Coe valley, is a stone’s throw away from one of the most important filming locations used in the Harry Potter series. There is a high-quality restaurant, a pub, and hospitable private rooms all within the same building. The Cruachan Hotel is an excellent choice for those looking for private accommodations close to the heart of Fort William.
The Isles of Glencoe Hotel is a three-star property with a swimming pool and several different types of private rooms, located just outside of Glencoe village on the shores of Loch Leven. There is also an on-site dining establishment and a bar.
This family-run hotel, Loch Leven Hotel & Distillery, has a bar that dates back to the 17th century and produces its own gin. Kingshouse Hotel – Situated in the center of Glen Coe, on the shores of Loch Leven, this recently renovated hotel features both private rooms and a bunkhouse for travelers. On-site dining and drinking are available.
With convenient access to trains and buses, the Bridge of Orchy Hotel is an excellent starting point for adventures in Glen Coe. Beautiful en suite rooms are available at this highly-rated 4-star hotel, which also features a restaurant and bar. Obviously, there are plenty of other possibilities nearby. For more accommodation options in Glencoe, have a look at the listings on booking.com.
Attractions and Activities in Glen Coe
Now that you know what to expect, we’ll tell you about some of our favorite activities in Glen Coe. All of these locations are in the Glen Coe valley or very close to the town of Glencoe.
Make a pit stop at the Tourist Information Center
The Glencoe Visitor Centre, run by the National Trust for Scotland, is a fantastic place to start your exploration of Glen Coe. There’s a wealth of data about both Glen Coe and the neighboring Glen Etive at the visitor center. The helpful staff here can fill you in on local hikes, wildlife sightings, and weather forecasts. They have a big 3D map to help you figure out where you’re going and how long it will take.
There are also a number of fascinating displays, such as a film about the region’s geological past and a collection of memorabilia from local mountaineers who have contributed to the sport’s widespread popularity. The infamous 1692 massacre of over 300 Clan MacDonald at Glen Coe is also covered.
For those of you looking for a hike in the area, there are several options that begin at the visitor center and progress in difficulty. There are also occasional nature walks led by staff members. All proceeds from the on-site café and gift shop go directly toward maintaining and improving the nature preserve. Parking and admission are inexpensive, but National Trust members get in for free.
Take a Hike
Hiking is a common pastime for visitors to Glen Coe. Spectacular scenery and seemingly endless wilderness make this an ideal place to put on your hiking boots and explore. Many different hikes ranging from easy strolls of less than an hour’s duration to strenuous all-day ascents of peaks like Buachaille Etive Mor, from which one can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the valley below and Rannoch Moor, are available. The Walk Highlands website is an excellent tool for locating hiking routes throughout Scotland; here are some routes they recommend in Glen Coe.
Alternatively, you can hire a local guide to accompany you on a hike and show you all the best spots while making sure you’re always safe. Among the hiking options on this list is Glencoe.
Get some experience shooting landscapes.
You could spend days exploring the area and taking photos because the landscapes are so beautiful. I should add that you need not be a professional photographer or tote around a ton of expensive equipment in order to take stunning pictures in Glen Coe. You’ll get better results if you put in the effort, but a smartphone or compact camera can still capture some stunning images.
Glen Coe is surrounded by numerous picture-perfect settings. Favorites include those of the Lagangarbh hut, Buachaille Etive Mor, and the Three Sisters. Small lakes and rivers can be a great compositional addition to your photographs, and there are many such locations to explore.
Search for Wild Animals
Glen Coe is protected as a National Nature Reserve because it is home to nationally significant ecosystems and species. Therefore, wildlife watchers will enjoy the Glen of the many animals they can see. Possible wildlife sightings include the majestic red deer, as well as mountain hares, ptarmigans, golden eagles, pine martens, and more! Those interested in birds should definitely check out what’s available; bring binoculars.
Getting off the road and onto the trails is where you’ll have the best chance of seeing wildlife. If you need trail advice during your trip, the staff at the Visitor Center can help.
Get on your Bicycle and Hit the Trails
While downhill mountain biking is the main draw to Glen Coe, the area also has scenic bike paths that cyclists of all skill levels can enjoy. There should be an option that suits your tastes, whether you want to throw yourself off a cliff or prefer something more sedate. The Lochleven Circular Route is a popular route among cyclists in the Glen Coe region (a 21-mile cycle route that circles Loch Leven). The Caledonia Way is a 234-mile long-distance cycle route that you could also ride.
Glencoe Mountain in Glen Coe itself, as well as the neighboring Nevis Range, offer dedicated downhill mountain biking routes of varying degrees of difficulty if that’s what you’re after. Either bring your own bike or rent one from one of the many shops in the area.
Explore the Glencoe Folk Museum
Visit the Glencoe Folk Museum in Glencoe village to find out more about the people who have lived there through the ages. The museum, which opened in the 1960s, housed primarily in two thatched cottages from the 18th century that has meticulously restored. Exhibits range from Jacobite artifacts to vintage toys and household goods to items from the First and Second World Wars.
Additionally, there is an entire section devoted to the Glencoe Massacre. The events of the early hours of February 13, 1692, when government forces led by Robert Campbell slaughtered hundreds of members of the MacDonald clan, are detailed here. As the perpetrators had spent the previous two weeks enjoying the MacDonalds’ hospitality, the events had an especially shocking quality. The country was stunned by such a shocking violation of highland hospitality.
It’s highly recommended that you check out the Glencoe Folk Museum. Prices and hours of operation can be found on this page.
Experience the slopes of Glencoe Mountain.
Scotland is a great place to go skiing. Glen Coe is home to one of Scotland’s five ski resorts. In fact, the ski center at Glencoe Mountain has been operating since 1956, making it Scotland’s longest-running commercial ski resort.
Currently, 8 lifts provide access to 20 different trails. Skiers of all skill levels can enjoy the wide variety of terrain at Glencoe, which includes some of Scotland’s longest and steepest slopes. The ski area is convenient to get to thanks to the nearby bus stop and the ample parking facilities. During the winter months, visitors can indulge in a wide variety of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and more. Even on-site, at micro lodges, you can sleep, though you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag. Come up to Glen Coe for a day or two of skiing if you’re in Scotland during the winter.
Outside of the winter season, Glencoe Mountain is still a beautiful place to visit. During the summer, visitors can enjoy the chair lift and a variety of other outdoor pursuits, such as mountain biking, hiking, and more. Being only 30 minutes away from Fort William, this location is convenient for those who plan to spend multiple days in the area.
Lifts at Glencoe Ski Area
Looking for a Filming Location or TV Set?
Due to its stunning scenery, Glen Coe has featured in many movies and TV shows. A few examples are the opening credits of Outlander and the films Highlander and Rob Roy. Nonetheless, the Harry Potter and James Bond film series have helped make Glen Coe famous.
The Bond family home in the film Skyfall can be found along the route from Glen Coe to Glen Etive. If you’re not used to driving on single-lane roads, you should read my guide before taking on this road, but it’s well worth it because of the stunning scenery. Harry Potter was another successful film series that shot extensively in Glen Coe. Multiple scenes were filmed in Glen Coe, including the location of Hagrid’s Hut in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
See our guide to Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland for more information on the filming locations used throughout Scotland, including Glen Coe. There are a number of tours that focus on specific TV and film locations, some of which are in Glencoe. For example, you can take a tour of the Outlander filming locations from Edinburgh, or a tour of the Harry Potter filming locations from Edinburgh.
Climb Some Ice
If you’ve ever been curious about ice climbing but felt unprepared, now is your chance! Ice Factor, the National Ice Climbing Centre, can be found in Lochaber, not far from Glen Coe (the village is located 7 miles away).
The good news is that you can try ice climbing at Ice Factor whenever you like, regardless of whether it is winter or not. They have an indoor ice climbing wall, which is the largest in the world, where you can learn how to ice climb up to a height of 12 meters!
There’s more than just ice climbing on offer here though. There are indoor rock climbing walls which are a great place to practice your rock climbing skills, and there’s also an outdoor 250-metre-long aerial adventure. The latter is ten meters in height, and while I am pleased to report that I made it to the top, I was apprehensive the whole time. I had a great time learning how to ice climb, even though I didn’t quite make it to the top of the 12-meter tower.
Spend some time at some of the area’s museums and monuments.
Glen Coe is home to a number of interesting historical landmarks that visitors can explore to learn more about the town’s past. We’ll start with Signal Rock. This hill, also known as the hill of the sun, is where Clan MacDonald members congregated in times of crisis, according to legend.
The hike to Signal Rock is only about 1.5 miles round trip, and shouldn’t take the average hiker more than an hour and a half to an hour and a half to reach the rock. Here’s a map of the proposed travel route. The Glencoe Massacre Memorial is yet another memorial you can pay your respects at. Those of the Clan MacDonald who perished in the Glencoe Massacre honored here. A short distance away from the Glencoe Folk Museum in the heart of Glencoe village is this. You can check out Google Maps here to get a pinpoint precise view of the area.
Observing Waterfalls
Glen Coe is home to a number of beautiful waterfalls that waterfall enthusiasts will enjoy exploring. These aren’t typically very large, but they sure are pretty. Some of them are visible from the road, like the Meeting of Three Waters at the Three Sisters’ base. Some require a bit of a hike to reach. One of my favorites is the waterfall with a backdrop of Buachaille Etive Mor.
The large waterfalls of Grey Mare’s Tail and Steall Falls are both well worth the roughly 90-minute round-trip hike it takes to reach them.