What To Do In Glencoe

To make the most of Glencoe’s great outdoors, we travelled from Roseisle Luxury Campervan Hire in 3 campervans: the Carado A461, the Carado T447 and the Hymer Car Yosemite. The journey from Edinburgh to Glencoe took just under 3 hours, including a pit stop for groceries and a rendezvous in Killin.

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DAY ONE

Bridge Of Orchy

We started our trip with a stop at the scenic Loch Tulla at Bridge of Orchy. The small village sits on the route of the ‘West Highland Way,’ a famous 96 mile trek which stretches from Milgavie to Fort William. It offers a warm welcome for weary walkers who, if trekking from South to North, are often very glad to reach the village and its amenities after a long hike across the glen’s floor.

Lairig Eilde Bridge

Continuing up the A82 we took a break at Lairig Eilde Bridge at the Pass of Glencoe near Kinlochleven. This spot of tremendous natural beauty is also home to a number of ‘love locks.’ Symbolising unbreakable love, sweethearts inscribe their names or initials on a padlock before fastening it to the bridge and throwing away the key – an activity we just had to take part in.

Glencoe Mountains

Glencoe is undoubtedly most famous for its stunning mountain ranges, which we watched in awe as 10 deer ascended before us on our journey. The highest and most iconic mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis, is right on Glencoe’s doorstep – a paradise for rock climbers and snowsports enthusiasts. For those who would rather enjoy the sights with comfort and ease, the UK’s only mountain gondola is on hand to give panoramic views of Ben Nevis and the Great Glen.

Ben Nevis Distillery

Nestled at the foot of the Nevis Range is the Ben Nevis Distillery – one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and our last ‘sight-seeing’ stop for the day. Like many west coast distilleries, Ben Nevis produces peaty malts, counting MacDonald’s Glencoe and Nevis Dew among its collection. The distillery offers informative tours, tasting drams and home cooking on site.

Glencoe Camping Site

We couldn’t believe our eyes when we reached our pitch at Invercoe Campsite. Perched on the banks of Loch Leven and with ample on-site amenities, it was the greatest place to stay. The accommodating campsite offers a wide range of accommodation choices, from lodges and cottages to caravans and micro pods – making it the perfect Glencoe Caravan Park.

Places To Eat In Glencoe

Once we pitched up, plugged in and heated up the campers we were back on the road in search of dinner. Our journey took us to the very cosy and romantic Glencoe Gathering in Ballachulish. With delicious seafood, generous portions, locally sourced ingredients and an exceptionally friendly team, the Glencoe Gathering proved to be pub dining with a difference.

DAY TWO

After a great night’s sleep and a rise on the banks of Loch Leven, we made use of the on-site facilities before taking to the road again.

Kingshouse Hotel Glencoe

A sanctuary on the slopes, the Kingshouse Hotel was the perfect place to enjoy breakfast and start our day. Designed as a modern ski chalet, it also makes the ideal spot for a little après-ski. In the hotel’s grounds were a number of wild deer and artists making the most of the opportunity to sketch them – making it an ideal location for naturalists, artists and adrenaline junkies alike.

The Kingshouse Hotel has a great guide to protecting Highland deer >>

Glencoe Quad Biking

Set up for the day we relished the prospect of quad-biking. Quad biking tours are available on the Ardverikie Estate, starting from £50pp for one hour. Tours follow tracks, trails, lochs, forests and beaches – making it a fully immersive experience.

Pattack Falls, Newtonmore

Up the road from Kinlochlaggan we visited Pattack Falls near Newtonmore. The exceptional falls and rocky gorge serve as a prime example of nature’s beauty, while the abandoned remains of the 18th century village Druim an Aird offer a haunting reminder of the past.

According to parish records, people were born and married in Druim an Aird up until the end of the 18th century. However by the end of the 19th century, maps show the township to be abandoned, though it remains unclear exactly when or why this happened.

Local folklore has it that a tragic winter storm caused all the village’s men to perish and its women to flee. Today you can still see the remains of 16 stone buildings, two corn drying kilns and several stone walled enclosures (source: Canmore).

Dalwhinnie

Lying at the head of Loch Ericht, we finished our trip with a visit to the small hamlet of Dalwhinnie. The famous Dalwhinnie Distillery boasts the highest elevation for a working distillery in Scotland, as well as a fascinating visitor centre. It is well worth a visit to enjoy a dram of its golden heather-honey like malt.

After 48 action packed hours in Glencoe we made the 2 hour 20 minute hour journey back to Roseisle Luxury Campervan Hire in Edinburgh.

We hope this guide gives you ample inspiration for your trip to Glencoe, with hidden treasures and local know-how galore. To make your visit more eco-friendly, here are our top tips:

• Take all rubbish with you when you stop for picnics and recycle it where you can
• Use refillable water bottles and coffee cups on the go
• Don’t leave human snacks for wild animals or feed them by hand
• Support local businesses and biodiversity by buying local produce where possible
• Hire a campervan with eco-friendly toilets and dispose of waste properly

Contact Roseisle Luxury Campervan Hire for more information >>

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DISCLAIMER: This article has been produced for guidance only and does not constitute advice. Copyright © 2019 Roseisle Luxury Campervans

Production by Outlaw Social

Cinematography by Tony James Thompson