Glencoe

Scotland > West of Scotland > Argyll > Glencoe

Approximately 15 miles South of Fort William, Glencoe is well known for its ski slopes and stunning mountain and moorland scenery. However there is far more in the way of history surrounding this small village than mere snow and views.


In 1691 King Willam III ordered clan chiefs to sign an allegience to him by the 1st January 1662. Maclan of Glencoe (a kinsman of the Clan MacDonald) was called away to Inveraray and was delayed in signing the oath, he did not sign it until the 6th of January. On his return home he found over 40 of his villagers and women dead and the village in ruins. Ordered by King William a group of 128 soldiers under the Campbells of Glen Lyon, all of whom had lived in friendly terms with the inhabitants for 12 days, had attacked the village and put the villagers to the sword. The double treachery of abusing Highland hospitality and the fact that most of the inhabitants had already signed the oath has led to centuries of animosity between the Campbells and the MacDonalds. The terrible deed has become known through the centuries as the "Massacre of Glencoe".

The Glen is 7.5 miles long from Col at 1,011 feet to Loch Leven. But by custom the name Glencoe is given to the whole glen running 15 miles west of Kingshouse on the River Etive. Famous features of the glen are - Bidean nam Bian (3,766 feet), the highest peak in Argyll and the three sisters of Glencoe - Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach and Aonach Dubh with the great Stob Coire nan Lochan at 3,657 feet. Also to be noted is the deep slit on Aonach Dubh called Ossians Cave. The present road was constructed in 1935 at a lower lvel than the old drovers road.

On the north side of the glen is the narrowest summit ridge in Scotland, Aonach Eagach, it is 6 miles long. To the west is the Pap of Glencoe at 2,430 feet, above the Clachaig Inn, Sgor nam Fiannaidh is split by the great chasm of "Clachaig Gully". At Altnafeadh the Anoach Eagach is crossed by the zigzagging Devils Staircase. On the south side of Altnafeadh are the fine peaks known as the Shepherds of Etive. To the west is Buchaille Etive Beag (3,129 feet) and to the east is Buchaille Etive Mor (3,345 feet).

These peaks make this possibly Scotland's most popular climbing place.