Glencoe, a well-known village in the Scottish Highlands is the ideal destination for travellers seeking jaw-dropping natural beauty and outdoor adventures. Found within a valley surrounded by stunning hills, Glencoe offers a range of activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking, cycling, skiing, and snowboarding.
As many visitors come to Scotland to experience the incredible Glencoe, we’ve written a guide on the Highland village for those eager to make the journey. We’ll discuss where the village is located, travel options, what to do there, and more!
Where is Glencoe?
Glencoe is situated in the Lochaber area in the Highlands of Scotland, only a short 25-minute drive from Fort William.
The valley is surrounded by stunning, all-encompassing hills and Munros, and is bordered by the shores of Loch Leven to the north. The village of Glencoe is located at the entrance to the valley, where the River Coe flows into Loch Leven.
If you’re travelling to visit Glencoe, here’s how long it’ll take to drive from some of Scotland’s most popular destinations:
- Oban: 50 mins
- Stirling: 2hrs
- Glasgow: 2hr 5mins
- Inverness: 2hr 10mins
- Edinburgh: 2hr 50mins
How to Get to Glencoe
If you have access to a car, driving is the easiest option when travelling to Glencoe; however, as many people will be visiting Glencoe as tourists, access to a car can be a luxury. Fortunately, there are plenty of other choices for those looking to make the journey.
Bus to Glencoe
There are regular buses travelling to Glencoe Visitor Centre, every day across Scotland. Unfortunately, the only direct bus can be taken from Glasgow or Oban.
If you’re travelling by bus from other cities and towns (Edinburgh, Inverness, and Stirling) the journey will include transferring at Glasgow or Fort William bus stations.
Here are the estimated journey times via bus:
- Oban: 1hr 30mins
- Glasgow: 2hr 40mins
- Inverness: 3hr 40mins
- Edinburgh: 4hr 40mins
- Stirling: 4hrs 40mins
We recommend checking the Citylink or West Coast Motors website before planning your journey to Glencoe.
Train to Glencoe
Unfortunately, due to the rural nature of Glencoe, there’s no direct train to the village. However, visitors do have the option to travel to Fort William via train, and then take a short bus journey to Glencoe.
Below are the estimated journey times via train:
- Glasgow: 3hr 40mins
- Inverness: 3hr 50mins
- Oban: 4hr (large variations)
- Edinburgh: 4hr 40mins
- Stirling: 4hrs 40m
We recommend checking the Trainline website or mobile app before planning your journey. Train journey times can vary, so it’s important to plan a time that reduces your travel.
The Best Time to Visit Glencoe
Glencoe is a destination that can be visited all year round. However, the best time to visit is between April and September, when it’s more likely to be sunny and the days are longer.
During these months, visitors can participate in a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and fishing. Additionally, the scenery during this time is at its best, with lucious green hills and blue skies. However, if you’re more interested in skiing and snowboarding, the best time to visit Glencoe is during the winter months when the snow is more likely to be on the ground.
Where to Stay in Glencoe?
Glencoe and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget. Visitors can choose from hotels, campsites, and self-catering properties.
Hotels
There are lots of hotels available in Glencoe, and surrounding areas such as Ballachulish. We recommend visiting Booking.com to find the hotel that best suits your needs.
Campsites
If you’re looking for a more adventurous stay in Glencoe, you can stay at the numerous campsites found around the area. The closest campsite to Glencoe village is the highly rated Red Squirrel Campsite, which is an estimated 1.7 miles from Glencoe.
They’re family and dog-friendly, offer wild camping and provide ample space for tents and campervans helping you truly get into the camping spirit!
There are also different campsites found around the area, in places such as Fort William, Kinlochleven, and Appin. We recommend visiting Campsites.co.uk to find the best campsite for you and your group.
Self-catering Properties
If you’re looking for a self-catered property for your Glencoe trip, there are plenty of options on platforms, such as Airbnb. Whether you’re looking for a lodge, cottage, tiny home, or a full house, you’ll likely be able to find it there.
Click the button below to be taken to Airbnb’s website and explore what properties are available:
What to do in Glencoe?
Other than basking in the natural beauty that Glencoe offers, what can you expect to do during your trip there?
Here are just some of the activities on offer:
Outdoor Activities
If you’re looking for a trip filled with outdoor activities, Glencoe is the perfect place.
Walking & Hiking Trails
The major pull for visitors of Glencoe is the gorgeous hills and Munro that dominate the area. These formations make for the perfect opportunity for keen hill walkers and hikers to experience the incredible views from above.
There are over 30 recognised walks and hikes in Glencoe, ranging from 2km to 20km in length. You can discover all the notable trails by clicking the button below.
Glencoe Mountain
Glencoe Mountain offers both summer and winter outdoor activities. They’re known as being the first commercial Ski Area in Scotland and still continue to provide professional skiing and snowboarding-related services, including events, lessons, and more!
As they’re open all year round, they offer a range of summer activities, including chairlift rides, disc golf, mountain biking, and even tubing!
Plan your trip and visit their website by clicking here.
Visit Movie Filming Locations
The West of Scotland is a popular spot for filming, due to its stunning landscape. Glencoe has been home to many different movies over the years. Most notably:
- James Bond: Skyfall
- Braveheart
- Harry Potter: Prisoner of Azkaban
- Highlander
If you’re interested in learning more about famous Scottish filming locations, Visit Scotland have created a great guide that maps out every popular film location found across the country. Click here to view their map.
We’ve also written a guide on which 12 movies and TV shows that were filmed at Glenfinnan and its famous viaduct.
Glencoe Nature Reserve
The Glencoe Nature Reserve has been managed by the Trust for almost 90 years, since 1935. They know and understand the area like no one else, meaning their team are the most qualified to guide visitors around the 37 miles of land they manage.
They offer a range of different activities to choose, from learning about the area’s rich history to getting up-close with nature on their wildlife safari. You can view all their upcoming events by clicking here.
Conclusion
If you’re visiting Scotland’s West Coast, we highly recommend adding Glencoe to your itinerary. There’s very little that comes close to the natural beauty on offer.
From conquering its Munros to visiting famous movie locations, Glencoe has a lot to offer its visitors.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in the West Coast of Scotland during your trip, visit our website. Our luxury shorefront hotel is the perfect place to stay while you explore.
