Glencoe is a place of history, wildlife, adventure and myths. The mountains were formed through violent volcanic eruptions, and then sculpted by massive glaciers. Fingal, the legendary Celtic hero, is said to have made his home among these towering mountains, while his poet son, Ossian, found inspiration in the landscape.
On 13 February 1692, 38 men, women and children of the MacDonald clan were murdered by a regiment of soldiers (acting on behalf of the government) whom they had welcomed into their homes. The tragedy of the Glencoe Massacre still has the power to evoke powerful emotions.
Glencoe’s award-winning, eco-friendly visitor centre is a brilliant place to learn about the landscape and soak up the sights – the viewing platform has mesmerising views of the mountains. The woodland trails lead into the lower levels of the glen, through birch and red deer territory, to the ruins at Inverigan, one of the sites of the Glencoe Massacre.
Glencoe is the home of Scottish mountaineering and climbers will find plenty of challenges in the crests and ridges of Aonach Eagach, the Three Sisters or any of the eight Munros on the estate. There are also good hillwalking routes and easier rambles, such as the walk to Signal Rock.
