Glencoe

Glencoe, arguably Scotland's most famous and most scenic glen, filled with history, romance and the ghosts of a massacre. An amazing destination for walkers, climbers and tourists. My goodness, so many tourists. So many foreign tourists! It was like a meeting of the U.N. at the Loch Tulla Viewpoint on the way up.

It's one of my favourite places in Scotland, no matter what the weather there is always something to see or, more importantly for me, something to photograph. The first photograph was taken just past the Loch Ba viewpoint on the A82. The second needs no introduction but for those that need the correct spelling: Buachaille Etive Mòr. 

Scotland is now in the last throws of Autumn with winter starting to find a grip, hopefully there will be snow in the glen next time I visit.

 

Rock Tree

I remember passing this tree growing out a rock when I was young. It was part of the excitement of going to Glencoe, waiting to spot it at the side of the road. There are lots of markers on the road to Glencoe that I still look out for on my way there, but this is by far my favourite.

 

Buachaille Etive Mòr

With a break in the particularly miserable weather we have been experiencing in Scotland over the past week I took the opportunity to drive back up to Glencoe. I specifically wanted to get some photographs of Buachaille Etive Mòr. This is probably the most recognisable mountain in Scotland, a large pyramidal form that can be seen when travelling into Glen Coe from the Rannoch Moor side on the A82 (not that there is any other roads to travel on).

The Scottish Gaelic translation of Buachaille Etive Mòr is 'the herdsman of Etive'. I forget how many times I have summited this mountain and the munro's that are on its ridge but it remains one of my favourite places to be.

It was a rare opportunity to spend some time in the valley without midges being all over me; just enough wind to keep them away but not so strong to shake the camera during long exposures. 

Glencoe

An impromptu trip to Glencoe with @alycoste at the weekend. With lightning and thunderstorms predicted for the Saturday we used the power of positive thinking to keep the bad weather away. Ok I used the power of positive thinking and Alayne laughed at my attempt to sway the universe. Although it was very humid on Saturday afternoon, the rain kept away, mostly. Sunday was very hot and sunny and we both got sunburnt! Ah Scotland, how I love your twisted sense of humour. We visited four different areas over two days, The Lost Valley, Ballachullish, Glencoe Lochan and Glen Etive.

The Lost Valley

A valley that the McDonald's used to hide stolen cattle in. I have no idea how they got cattle up into this area though, in some areas it's a bit of a scramble to get up! There are lots of great places to stop for photographs, especially the pools and waterfalls on the way up to the valley floor (it's a hanging valley).

Ballachulish

Surrounded by some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in Scotland, Ballachulish is a perfect base for exploring the amazing landscape of Glencoe. This village used to be the 'slate capital' of Scotland and the disused quarries can be still seen nearby. The bridge connects North and South Ballachulish. We got there around nine at night hoping for a great sunset but as can be seen there was a fair bit of cloud still hanging around.

Glencoe Lochan

Glencoe Lochan is a tract of forest located just north of Glencoe village. It was planted/transplanted from the Pacific Northwest of Canada in the nineteenth century by Donald Alexander Smith and the area around the lochan is often said to look like a miniature Lake Louise in British Columbia. His wife, Isabella, became homesick after moving to this estate in 1895 and he built this Lochan in an attempt to abate his wife's depression. Alas, she moved back to Canada anyway. Another Scotsman spurned by a crazy Canadian woman. ;-)

Glen Etive

Quite possibly my favourite place in the Glencoe area. I have spent many happy days going down the River Etive in a kayak, however, the river was lower than I have ever seen it due to the dry spell that Scotland has been experiencing. The Glen Etive road meanders for some 14 miles to the head of Loch Etive, where it ends at a car park and an old rusty pier, with some of the most spectacular views in Scotland.