Roadtripping through the Scottish Highlands was a huge bucket list goal of mine. When I randomly had a few days off work at the end of August, I knew I had to take advantage of it! I set off for four days in Scotland, and had the most amazing time. On my second day, I spent most of my time in Glencoe – a major highlight of the road trip! These are some of my favorite photos of my entire trip to Scotland. Heading to Glencoe? Here’s what you shouldn’t miss!

I loved it so much, I actually went back and hiked the West Highland Way! A lot of people pass through Glencoe as they journey up to Fort William, and even the Isle of Skye and beyond.

The White House

I knew that this house existed only because of Instagram, but I had no idea where it was or how to get there. Well, imagine my surprise when I turned a corner of the A82 and saw this in front of me! Set in the valley with the mountains forming the most epic backdrop, you absolutely must find this house on a trip to Glencoe. There is a (rather dubious) parking lot in front of the house off the A82 highway so you can stop and take some photos. It’s marked as parking at FB Altnafeadh on a road atlas.

The Three Sisters (Bidean nam Bian)

No trip to Glencoe, the A82, or even the Scottish Highlands itself could be complete without stopping to admire the Three Sisters. This nickname is for the three mountains of Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach, and Aonach Dubh. Bidean nam Bian is the highest mountain is the highest point in the former county of Argyll.

This is, by far, one of the most spectacular scenery I saw during my entire road trip to the Highlands. The mountains loom out over you like something out of a movie. Visiting at the end of August, the whole area was so lush and green and just stunning. There are two main car parks for you to pull over, take photos, and get out and explore! They’re both free – you’ll know you’re in the right place if you can hear a bagpiper from one of the parking lots.

Lost Valley Walk

Also called the Hidden Valley, if you only have time for a short hike in Glencoe, this should be it. The walk is roughly 2 miles and will take about 2.5 hours round-trip from the Glencoe car park off the A82 (with a long rest in the valley). It takes about an hour to walk high up along the mountain ravine to get into the Lost Valley. Supposedly, this valley was supposedly where the Macdonald clan hid their stolen cattle. After the clan was massacred by the Campbells in 1692, the remaining Macdonalds fled into the valley, livestock in tow.

The path is quite easy to follow for the most part, as it heads towards the valley between Beinn Fhada and Gearr Aonach. You’ll need to ford the stream to the left after the waterfall to stay on the path. After a steep climb, you’ll reach the top and the valley will open out before you.

The Lost Valley is some of the most beautiful scenery I saw in Scotland. I cannot recommend doing this walk enough. The valley certainly merits an hour or so of exploration. I just loved this hike! As with any hike, you should be prepared and bring proper gear. As the path is quite slippery, I highly recommend sturdy hiking boots, as well as waterproof jacket and pants and plenty of layers. Make sure to take snacks and lots of water! Read my outdoor gear guide for the complete list.

Glencoe Visitor Center

If you want a nice place to stop and take a break, head over to the official Glencoe Visitor Center. Parking does cost £4 (quite high), but they have free toilets, a free exhibition, and a café and shop on site. There’s also a really nice viewing platform of Glencoe and the Three Sisters out the back.

Glencoe Village

Glencoe itself is a very, very small village. It’s worth a wander if you have time, and is a major accommodation hub in the area. There’s a memorial to the Glencoe Massacre in 1692, a folk museum, some shops, cafes, and lots of B&Bs. I loved my lunch at Crafts and Things, which is in a gorgeous thatched cottage.

Glencoe Lochan

This beautiful loch is easily accessible from Glencoe village. There are a few different trails you can take, but the most straightforward (and easiest) is the 1-mile loop around the lake. I’d read quite a few blogs that said this was a good spot for wild swimming, but I have to disagree – the water was very murky (impossible to tell the depth) and there are only a few spots where it’s easy to actually get in the water. The hike is well worth it, though!

Loch Leven

This beautiful loch is framed by the Mamores on one side, and the mountains flanking Glencoe on the other. I highly recommend driving out on the B863 from Glencoe to Kinlochleven – the scenery along the lake is just amazing! Kinlochleven is another small village, mainly shops, cafes, and B&Bs, but they do boast an ice climbing center. There are plenty of lay-bys for pulling over to admire the scenery on the B863, so don’t worry about finding a place to park.

Glen Etive

One of my favorite things in both Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands was driving through Glen Etive to Loch Etive. This is a very narrow, winding road that takes you through the glen out to the head of Loch Etive. This is again some of the most spectacular scenery I saw in Scotland! Both James Bond (Skyfall) and Harry Potter (Deathly Hallows Part I) were filmed here.

The driving is certainly not for the faint of heart – there are marked passing places in the road, but besides that it can just about fit one car. The road ends abruptly at Loch Etive, so you can enjoy the mountain scenery and smell that fresh seawater air. There’s quite a few parking spots. The drive from the A82 will take 30-45 minutes one-way (depending on how many photo stops you make!).

I camped in Glen Etive for one night, and it was a great place for it! Following the river through to the loch, there’s loads of good spots for a tent with a place to park not far away. I camped not too far from the water about 15 minute drive from the A82, across from a waterfall running down the mountain. Be careful of the midges though – they were absolutely brutal in the morning. Don’t forget midge spray!!

Planning Your Trip to Glencoe

Glencoe is a beautiful part of Scotland to explore. The nearest airport is Glasgow, although Inverness is also relatively close – I always use Skyscanner to book flights. You can get to Glencoe by bus from Glasgow or Fort William. Citylink runs regular services (913/914/915/916/917) that stop in Glencoe – you can also get around the glen this way, too! I took the bus from the A82 near the Glencoe Ski Center to Glencoe Village. There are no train services in Glencoe, but I do recommend taking the West Highland Line at least once if you can! Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

There are lots of accommodation options in Glencoe, centered around the village and the outskirts. Glencoe Youth Hostel is your best bet for budget accommodation (if you’re not wanting to camp, that is), otherwise check out other options in Glencoe using the map below!

Booking.com

Driving from Crianlarich to Fort William on the A82 is one of the most scenic drives in the Highlands, in Scotland, and in the entirety of the UK. Glencoe is a major highlight and certainly worth spending a day on any road trip. The Three Sisters, the Lost Valley, and the road to Glen Etive were some of my absolute favorite memories from my trip, and I hope it inspires you to visit too!

Have you ever been on a road trip in Scotland? Share your experiences in the comments below!

Check out my other Scotland Road Trip post:

12 Tips for Planning Your Scottish Highlands Road Trip

A 7-Day Itinerary for Hiking the West Highland Way

A 7-Day Itinerary for Scotland’s North Coast 500 Road Trip

The Complete Orkney Guide: An 8-Day Itinerary for the Orkney Islands

Alternative Isle of Skye: 4 Ways to Avoid the Crowds

Visiting The Scottish Border Abbeys In One Day: Jedburgh, Kelso, Dryburgh, And Melrose

Seeing The Hogwarts Express At The Glenfinnan Viaduct In Scotland

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