A Guide to Glencoe, Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands may have a vast wealth of majestic landscapes, but not many are as dramatic and impressive as Glencoe.
Home to one of the most scenic drives in the UK, Glencoe is famous for its dramatic, rugged landscapes shaped by ancient volcanic activity and glacial erosion. Towering peaks like Buachaille Etive Mòr and the Three Sisters dominate the scenery, with this mountainous glen offering up a paradise for hillwalkers and photographers alike.
Most people will make the iconic drive through Glencoe along the A82, but few will take the time to venture far from their cars to explore the wonderfully dramatic landscape and the plethora of adventures that Glencoe can provide.
In this blog I list the 10 memorable things to do in Glenoce, alongside 11 of the best hikes. I also provide some key information on the area including the best time to visit to visit, the best way to travel around Glencoe, alongside some recommendations to eat, drink, and sleep.
Where Is glencoe?
When i speak of Glencoe, I refer to the wider Glencoe valley rather than the very small village located on the shores of Loch Leven.
Glencoe is a stunning valley located in the Scottish Highlands, within the Lochaber area of the Highland council region. It lies along the A82 road, which connects Glasgow to Inverness, making it relatively accessible for travellers exploring the western Highlands. The nearest town is Ballachulish, and it's not too far from Fort William, which is about 26 kilometres (16 miles) to the north.
Individual hike guides
When is the Best Time to Visit Glencoe?
Having visited in all four seasons, there is no best time to visit, as you experience will largely be determined by the weather and if you visit between may and October, the midges. Personally my favourite time to visit Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands is in mid to late Spring (April and May). This is due to a number of things
Mild weather – Average Temperatures range from 5-15°C,
Longer Days - Between 14-16 hours of Daylight
Fewer crowds – Enjoy popular spots without the craziness of summer
No midges – These biting insects are common in summer but absent in spring.
Blossoming landscapes – Wildflowers, fresh greenery, and snow-capped peaks create stunning scenery.
Better wildlife spotting – Spring is ideal for seeing red deer, golden eagles, and puffins.
Where to stay in Glencoe
Glencoe offers a range of accommodation options suitable for various preferences and budgets.
Glencoe Mountain Resort: On-site café, direct access year-round activities like hiking, skiing, mountain biking and chairlift rides. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts! They have Microlodges: (Cozy, heated wooden pods for 2-4 people with power) Camping, and Motorhome Pitches with electrical hookups
Red Squirrel Campsite: Rustic campsite near the Claghaig with riverside pitches, ideal for a more natural experience. Suitable for motorhomes.
Glencoe Youth Hostel: Budget-friendly accommodation with communal facilities and close to outdoor activities.
Invercoe Caravan and Camping Park: Full hook-ups for motorhomes, scenic loch views, and excellent facilities.
Glencoe Camping and Caravanning Club Site: Facilities include pitches for tents and motorhomes, a shop, and amenities like showers and laundry.
Where to eat and drink in Glencoe
Cafés
Glencoe Mountain Resort Base Station Café : Open year-round, and serves great comfort food, including hearty breakfasts, soups, burgers, and sandwiches.
Pubs and Restaurants
Clachaig Inn: Traditional pub fare with hearty Scottish dishes, local ales, and live music on some nights. It's a favourite for hikers and climbers.
The Laroch Restaurant and Bar: Fine Modern Scottish dining with a casual vibe made with fresh, local ingredients: a favourite for seafood.
Kingshouse Hotel: Classic Scottish dishes and pub food, with mountain views and the chance to spot deer wandering by.
the best way to travel around The scottish highlands
Due to the vastness and expansive road network of the Highlands, having a vehicle is essential to travelling around Scotland.
Although Scotland has a reliable public transport system that connects major towns and attractions, they aren’t the most frequent, take a lot longer than driving, and do not reach remote locations.
By having a vehicle it allows you freedom to visit the locations you want, whenever you want, in the shortest time possible. Meaning you can take advantage of the many incredible locations located around the Scottish highlands, alongside being able to visit around sunrise and sunset.
Travelling the Scottish Highlands by car
If you are visiting the highlands for longer than 3 days i would recommend getting a campervan (outlined below). However it maybe easier to rent a car.
I would recommend booking your car rental through discovercars.com, I have used them all over Europe and they search both international and local operators for the best deal.
Scotland’s freedom to roam rules are some of the most progressive in the world, thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which gives the public extensive rights to access most land and inland water for recreational purposes.
This includes wild camping, is legal on most unenclosed land, provided it’s done responsibly. This differs from much of the rest of the UK, where wild camping is often restricted without landowner permission. In Scotland, you can pitch your tent in remote areas like moorlands, forests, hillsides, and coastal regions.
If you do choose to do this follow be respectful and leave no trace.
Scotland’s wild camping freedom is a privilege, and maintaining it depends on everyone playing their part. It’s one of the things that makes exploring the Highlands, islands, and remote glens so magical.
Steall Falls in Glen Nevis
Travelling by campervan
In my opinion the best way to travel around Scotland is by would be in a motorhome or campervan.
Scotland is incredibly van friendly and it will allow for the greatest flexibility alongside being cheaper and easier than booking accommodation. Every time I have been Scotland I have travelled in a campervan. Alongside using my own VW T6 I have also used Roadsurfer who are absolutely faultless.
They have a large deport located in Edinburgh (Alongside London, Bristol and Manchester), offer unlimited mileage and have of different vehicles to choose from.
When renting a campervan or motorhome, I would look to get one which is relatively compact. Scotland has some narrow single track roads, so the smaller the vehicle the easier and more comfortable it will be to drive.
On the two occasions I have travelled Scotland in a Roadsurfer vehicle, I have rented a Couple Cottage.
It was incredibly spacious and it was the perfect companion on my road trip Not only did it have everything I needed but it was a reasonable size, meaning it wasn’t a hassle to drive and I could actually park it in normal sized space.
The manual or automatic van can sleep two people and had everything I needed for the road trip;
Cruise control, Reversing Camera, Bluetooth, and Apple and Android CarPlay
Kitchen area with a sink, two stove gas hobs, fridge, oven, and lots of storage
Wet room with hot water shower, sink and toilet
Air conditioning & off grid stationary heating (powered gas or electricity)
Two up front swivel seats
Spacious living/dining room area with two fixed seats and big table
Large fixed double bed (L 1,92 m x W 1,42 m)
Midge nets and black out blinds for all windows
Awning, camping chairs, table, and kitchen utility box.
230 v Power connection and supply-battery
Pick up in Edinburgh was incredibly easy, the depot is located close to the airport and is short bus ride from the city centre. They even have a help yourself selection of items (including food and kitchen equipment) which other users have left and you can take with you.
You can get a 10 % discount off your Roadsurfer booking (5 night minimum) if you use the code: KNIGHT12 (Valid until 31/1/25)
So there we have it, my guide to Glencoe in the Scottish highlands. Did you find the blog useful? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
If you did find the blog helpful, I’d appreciate you giving it a share or giving me a follow on social media, every bit of support goes a long way.
For more Scottish hiking inspiration check out my other guides below;
Individual hike guides
Area Guides
Hiking related guides;