Glencoe history and culture

Glencoe is world famous for its part in Scottish history. Much of this is well documented and we provide a simple chronological list of historical events including more contemporary history from our visit Fort William site. The National Trust for Scotland is an important centre to visit and experience Glencoe. On a contemporary theme, Glencoe today is a prime, unspoilt, wild and remote place, which offers magnificent mountains set in amazing natural history.

The journey north from the Lowlands is often a thrilling experience as the mountains loom closer and closer, and then finally, you are amongst them as you drive north towards the sea and the village of Glencoe where the mountains give way to the Atlantic Ocean in the form of Loch Leven, a tidal sea-loch.

In Glencoe there are a small number businesses south of the village - Kings House Hotel is a former coaching inn, and certainly in a remote but fabulous location a few miles south of the Glencoe Ski Centre, which is also a good summer visitor centre. Once you have climbed up and through the Gorge, the road falls away to the shore of Loch Achtriochtan, where a small junction will take you to The Clachaig Centre and on to the Youth Hostel and local bunkhouse. From here you are almost at the village and the forestry lochan walk.

Beyond this junction on the A82 is a sign for Glencoe Mountain Cottages whose view of the Aonach Eagach Ridge is phenomenal! Two miles along the road on the left is the National trust for Scotland Visitor Centre.

Imagine working as a cattle drover as you walk your Highland cattle herd to market to Falkirk - around 100 miles away in the south...  Victorian travellers on a horse-drawn "stagecoach" must have been extremely hardy adventurers in the cold and rain - but what an experience ! Hans Christian Andersen visited Glencoe as did Sir Walter Scott.