CEUD MILE FAILTE - A hundred thousand welcomes is the Gaelic greeting, and you will be made to feel very welcome in the dramatic Western Highlands of Scotland.


** Please note that GLEN COE is the valley and GLENCOE is the name of the village.




ONE of Scotland's most historic and scenic glens, Glen Coe - the Narrow Valley, is inspiring. With a turbulent history and the most haunting and magnificent setting which rivals anywhere on Earth, it's no wonder people come here in huge numbers. The main road, the A82 - and everything adjacent to it, can be very busy but if you pull on those hiking boots and wander off for ten minutes, you will find true solitude.

THE WEEPING GLEN*, is the best known and most visited glen in Scotland, and no wonder. The steep hillsides of the 'Three Sisters' lie to the south, with the Aonach Eagach or 'Notched Ridge' to the north. Guarding the entrance to the glen from Rannoch Moor is the impressive Buachaille Etive Mor, perhaps the most spectacular of all the Scottish mountains.

*Glen Coe is not called the Weeping Glen in connection with the tragic massacre but refers to the fact that the glen gets over 90 inches of rainfall annually!*


There are many low level walks, in fact the West Highland Way passes close by, and there are 43 Munros within 15 miles of Glencoe village.
*** Please remember that at any time of year, even mid summer, no-one should venture into the high peaks or remote areas without the correct clothing and equipment.***

COIRE GABHAIL - The Hidden valley is a two hour walk with good footpaths through stunning scenery to a spectacular example of a 'hanging valley' hidden high among the mountains of Glen Coe. The valley was reputedly used by the MacDonalds of Glen Coe in times of trouble and for hiding stolen cattle.
The path climbs upwards beside a series of waterfalls and deep pools and brings you
to a large valley with steep, snow-capped mountains on three sides - Beinn Fhada on your left, Gearr Aonach on your right, and Bidean nam Bian at the far end of the valley. The bottom of the valley is remarkably flat and grassy, and is a perfect spot for a picnic.

The traverse of AONACH EAGACH is definitely the most exhilirating in mainland Britain. The ridge is continuously very narrow and in many places extremely exposed. It is a serious walk in summer - in winter it should only be attempted by highly experienced individuals.

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For some excellent images of Glen Coe:
http://www.adventurephotographs.com/scotland/glen coe/aonach_eagach/index.asp

http://www.alltheweb.com/search?cat=img&query =glencoe+scotland

http://www.aboutscotland.com/tour/glencoe.html
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The approach to Glen Coe passes across RANNOCH MOOR - 50 square miles of wild peat bogs, lochs and lochans. This is wild country, 1000ft above sea level and surrounded by 3000ft mountains and almost totally uninhabited until you pass through the glen and descend down to the shores of Loch Leven.
From this point onwards to Fort William (15 miles), civilization is slightly more in evidence with a large number of hotels and guesthouses, craft shops and attractions and many different leisure activities.

GLENCOE village, and neighbouring BALLACHULISH is a famous centre for walking, ski-ing and climbing vacations, but there are many other things to see and do. It's an ideal holiday centre from which to go mountain biking, sailing, horse-riding, fishing and it is, of course,an ideal base for touring the western highlands and islands of Scotland.


Some attractions in Glencoe village:

[] Highland Mysteryworld

An exploration of Scottish myths and legends, situated in the atmospheric Glencoe. The animatronic effects a
nd actors make this highly enjoyable and entertaining.

[] Glencoe & North Lorn Folk Museum

Housed in a heather thatched croft cottage the folk museum has an exhibition that traces the local history of this area.

[] NTS Visitor centre

This is a popular attraction with a history of mountaineering and a presentation concerning the tragedy of 1692.


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THE MASSACRE of GLEN COE

Although much worse atrocities, involving far greater slaughter have occurred during Scotland's turbulent past, the Massacre of Glen Coe has earned it's place in history because of its treachery and brutality. The massacre has been attributed to an ancient feud between the Campbells and the McDonalds - it was, in fact, a British government plot to exterminate a troublesome highland clan. Of the 128 soldiers who took part, only 12 of them were Campbells, including the commanding officer.
The flimsy reason for the massacre was McIain of Glen Coe's signing of an oath of allegiance a few days later than the deadline.
The government troops were given the hospitality of the unsuspecting McDonalds for 10 days and then at 5am on 13th February 1692 - the slaughter began. Thirty-eight men, women and children were killed immediately with many more dying of exposure on the frozen, snow covered mountains.

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SKI-ING

Glencoe is a small ski area and the facilities pretty basic compared to some European resorts although it does offer varied and challenging skiing and snowboarding.
It has the steepest piste in Scotland and, if there is enough snow, the longest piste in the country.

Glencoe's slopes lie between 305m and 1108m, on the Meall A Bhuiridh mountain at the edge of Rannoch Moor and just east of Glen Coe. The access lift rises to the plateau tow, which provides access to the othe
r tows and the bulk of the slopes. The upper slopes enjoy good snow cover, often from December to May.

The UK's first chairlift opened here at the White Corries ski area in 1961.
A museum of Scottish skiing and mountaineering is located nearby and contains many momentos from the locality and further afield - including Chris Bonnington's ice axe from the 1985 Everest expedition.

Facts and Figures
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Vertical Drop: 803m/2,634' Top Elevation: 1,108m/3,635'

Lifts: 7 (2 chairs, 5 surface) Trails: 16 (11 km)

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There is accommodation in the area suitable for all tastes and budgets; luxury hotels, house rentals, bunkhouses and camp-sites. For more information:
http://www.glencoe-scotland.net/accommodation.htm l
or:
http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/glencoe.html#Glencoe_ Hotels_and_Guest_Houses





Thanks for reading,
SLAINTE