Wim van Velzen photography - landscape


Glen Coe


Glen Coe 1 Glen Coe 2 Glen Coe 3 Glen Coe 4 large

Glen Coe 5 Glen Coe 6 Glen Coe 7 Glen Coe 8
Glen Coe 9

Ballachulish 1 Ballachulish 2
Ballachulish 3




The A 82 is one of the Scottish main routes, linking the northwest and the urban central area around Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is one of the most beautiful routes through the Highlands as well.

Heading for the northwest, the way leads trough the awesome Rannoch Moor, and then the roads has to wriggle through the Pass of Glencoe. The mountains are steep, surrounded by clouds and waterfalls - no problem to forget the busy A 82 for a while.

A bit higher than the A82 parts of the old Military Way can be seen, as they are built by General Wade in the early 18th century. This Way and a number of forts, Fort William being one, were designed to have a better control of the Highlands.
This was at least a more sympathetic way than what happened in Glen Coe in 1692 - the brutal Massacre. By some rather unclear orders of king William, tens of the local MacDonald clan were slaughtered. Others could escape, only to die from the bitter Februari cold. The massacre was carried out by members of a neighbouring clan, after enjoying more than a week of MacDonald hospitality!
Nearby Glencoe Visitor Centre tells the gruesome story, as well as giving information on the glen, its inhabitants and the mountainering sport.

Glencoe village has no less than two general stores and a terrific tea room: Mattheson's. What would a Scotland holiday be without the warmth of tea and kind-heartedness? Especially when it rains!

And as soon as it turns dry again, head for the west to Ballachulish. Views on the hills beyond Loch Linnhe, to Moidart, Kingairloch and other places, whose names alone brings the taste of whisky.
Recommended - but that is no surprise.