Glen Coe is a glen of glacial origins that cuts through volcanic rocks in the Highlands. It is named after the river Coe which runs through it. The glen is U-shaped and formed by an Ice Age glacier. The rocks of Glencoe are the remains of an ancient supervolcano. The volcano last erupted 420 million years ago. Glen Coe was also the site of a famous massacre (in 1692).
Skyfall (James Bond) Road
Glen Coe was very crowded when we traveled through. We weren't able to stop at many places. The car parks were overflowing. According to our guide, Glencoe is always crowded, in every season. It is especially popular with climbers and walkers. Since 2017, it has been designated as a national nature reserve. We were able to stop at Glen Etive where the James Bond film Skyfall was filmed.
Etive Mòr Waterfall
Etive Mòr Waterfall
Me in front of waterfall
Our guide for the first half of the trip (Dave) was a mountain climber in his spare time. He explained how mountains are classified in Scotland. Mountains over 3000 feet are called Munros. There are 282 of them, 7 to 8 in Glen Coe. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland at 4411 feet. Unlike US mountains, the mountains in Scotland are bare, treeless. It's a different look.
Rugged scenery
Home of Scottish mountaineering
Volcanic rocks
Wide open spaces
Me at Glencoe
Up the valley
