Glencoe and Dalness covers 5,680 hectares (over 14000 acres) of mostly mountain land, with free open access for all.
It is world-famous for its scenery and its history tucked away from view, just off the A82 just before Rannoch Moor, the first chairlift opened here in 1961.
It has Scotland's longest vertical descent and has 19 runs in total with seven lifts at this resort, and better-than-average snow make it a favourite with some.
Varied terrain appeals to boarders looking for something different, it also boasts the steepest marked run in Scotland, the Fly Paper, well worth an afternoon or a day trip located at White Corries just past the turning to Glen Etive.
It extends over 200 hectares and operates on the Meall A'Bhuiridh Massif, amidst some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland. The ski centre at Aonach Mhor, along side Ben Nevis, operates a mountain gondola lift throughout the year, here you can enjoy a walk on the mountain or relax in the Snowgoose restaurant or bar some 2000ft above sea level.
On the steep slopes beneath the gondola lift, the World Downhill Mountain Biking Championships take place in May each year, this prestigious event attracts thousands of enthusiasts to the area. The film version of Kidnapped was made in this area and the West Highlands have featured in many other films over the years from Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of John Buchan's novel "The 39 Steps was made in 1935, to the Harry Potter adventure The Half Blood Prince.
- Glencoe Latitude: 56.6826° N Longitude: -5.1023° W
- Glencoe Postcode PH49
- WOEID 21177
- Glencoe Map
- Glencoe Reviews
- Glencoe 4 day weather forecast
This splendid glen with its stark and grandiose mountain scenery lies on the principal tourist route from Glasgow to the north. Although the glen may be visited in either direction the most dramatic way is to come from the Rannoch Moor end, this endless expanse of desolate moorland lies at a mean height of 1000ft-305m.
Glencoe from the isolation of Rannoch Moor is awe inspiring in the sunshine, but the glen is all the more dramatically memorable in menacing weather, in glacial times it was from an ice sheet centred here that the glaciers flowed westwards gouging the great U-shaped valleys of Glens Coe and Etive.
Meall a Bhuiridh.
3 636ft-l 108m. To tne south of the A 82 and Kingshouse rises the Hill of the Roaring Stags, noted for its ski runs on the slopes of the White Carries, although mainly a weekend ski centre the snow cover is usually good.
Glen Etive is a 10 mile long glacial valley pushes southwards to the even longer sea loch of the same name, which reaches the open sea north of Oban.
Buachaille Etive Mor 3345 ft On the left rises the conically shaped Big Herdsman of Etive guarding the entrance to the glen, offering great challenges to the rock climbers.
Away to the right: is the zig-zag of the Devils Staircase, a series of hairpin bends on the old military read leading over to Kinlochleven.
To the right a flat topped rock, the Study, is said to pinpoint the head of Glen Coe. From this point there are good views of the Three Sisters on the left, these are outliers of the great nine peaked Bidean nam Bian (Peak of the Bens) with a highest point of 3766 ft. The Sisters lie from east to west Beinn Fhada (The Long Mountain.Gearr, Aonach (The Short Ridge) and Aonach Dubh (The Black Ridge). Between the first two. although not visible from the glen, there is Coire Gabhail (Hidden Valley) where the MacDonalds hid plundered cattle.
The road enters the Pass of Glencoe passing the waterfall, and descends slowly towards the valley floor between great rock walls on either side rising to over 3000ft.
Aonach Eagach. - On the right is the great unbroken flank of this serrated ridge (The Notched Heights) which continues for three miles offering the Challenge of its ridge walk.
Loch Achtriochtan lies on the flat valley floor. Glen Coe visitors centre provides a good introduction, historical and geological, to the glen area, guided walks are available and a ranger will help with advice on hill walking and climbing in the vicinity.
On the right is Signal Rock in the clan days was used to warn all in case of danger, on the shore of Loch Leven is the village housing a small museum, the glassware engraved with the white rose of the jacobites and examples of Lochaber axes some were still in use in 1745.
The Massacre of Glencoe
In the Highlands loyalties ran deep to the Stuart cause and when James VII's short reign (1685-8) ended in flight the clans were reluctant to renounce the cause. After the Convention had offered the Scottish crown to William and Mary (March 1689), John Graham of Claverhouse rallied the Highlanders. Despite victory at Killiecrankie (27 July 1689 ; p 174) where they lost their leader, Dundee, all ended a month later in defeat at Dunkeld. William proposed a pardon to all clans willing to take an oath of allegiance by 1 January 1692.
Maclain chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe arrived in Fort William belatedly but, within the deadline, only to be sent to Inveraray where he finally took the oath on the 6 January.
At the beginning of February a force of 120 men, under Campbell of Glenlyon, was billeted on the MacDonalds and for twelve days all cohabited peacefully.
Treachery struck on the 13th with the slaughter of their hosts and the burning of their homes. Forty MacDonalds including Maclain were killed and many more subsequently perished of exposure. An official enquiry confirmed that although the king had given orders, his Scottish Minister, the Master of Stair, undoubtedly exceeded them. Murder was common but "Murder under Trust" was a heinous crime.
