A perfect winter trip to Glen Coe
Buchaille Etive Mòr as seen from the Kingshouse Hotel.
The perfect winter trip doesn't exi.. wait, let me stop you right there and tell you all about the most perfect winter trip to the Scottish Highlands. I heard there was a snow forecast and just had to travel to Glen Coe, I knew it would be so worth it and now looking back at the images I was able to capture, I am so glad we made the journey. If you didn’t think this part of Scotland could get any more magical, let me tell you it can, just add a little, or in this case a lot, of snow and it becomes absolutely beautiful. It was as if I had walked straight through a wardrobe and stepped directly into the untouched snow of Narnia.
This is my guide to visiting the unbelieveably beautiful Glen Coe in Winter, giving you a suggested itinerary of things to do and see from the point of view of a Photographer who loves to capture landscapes and nature photography. There is plenty to do and see in Glen Coe and you could really spend days here, but it is also doable in two days, even one at a push. So lets get started with visiting Glen Coe…
A beautiful wild stag observed in Glencoe near the Kinghouse Hotel.
Kingshouse Hotel
Upon driving to Glen Coe our first stop was to the Kingshouse Hotel, this is quite an obvious pit stop to make if you have had a lengthy journey and is certainly one that is worthwhile. Kingshouse Hotel is a particularly lovely place to stay as it sits nestled in the valley among mountains and vast moorland. There is nothing quite like sitting in their restaurant with a coffee by the fire watching the wild landscape outside. I like it so much that I visited several times in 2025 and already in 2026 with my family. You know it’s good coffee when you’re willing to drive 2.5 hours for it.
After a hot coffee and some food it’s time to get on the road and start exploring. There are plenty of nearby notable points to add to your itinerary. Having a car would be very helpful for navigating this vast area, though of course you can also hike, we did have our car to drive around to each location.
A magnificent wild red stag standing in front of Buchaille Etive Mòr.
Wild Red Deer
If you take a walk around the grounds surrounding the hotel you may encounter some particularly charming locals that inhabit the area; wild red deer. If you are lucky enough to see any of these majestic creatures wandering the grounds of Kingshouse as they so often do, please, please, PLEASE treat them with the respect they deserve. Admire from a safe distance, please don’t tease them with food or try to touch them. Watching them from afar is actually a much more special experience as you get to see them as they are without interference from humans. They are wild animals, and this is their home, we are the visitors, not the other way around.
We were very lucky to see wild red deer on our winter trip. We observed from a safe distance and it was wonderful to see them together walking around as a family in the snow. I could have watched them for hours and feel so grateful to have been graced us with their presence. As we stayed back, they did not appear fazed by us and continued on as they normally would. This allowed me to capture many beautiful images of them which I am so proud of and thankful to have captured, and it truly makes me want to visit again solely to watch these magnificent animals in the wild.
Blackrock Cottage beautifully dusted in snow with a backdrop of Buchaille Etive Mòr.
Blackrock Cottage
Just up to the left on the A82 before the turn to the Kingshouse Hotel, you will find Blackrock Cottage. This is used all year round by the Ladies Scottish Climbing Club, after being founded in 1908. To this day it has about 120 members and is the oldest climbing club exclusively for women. It is a notable place to visit and from a photographers perspective it offers a lot to be desired. A simple rustic cottage sitting quietly with a backdrop of Buchaille Etive Mor. It’s postcard material for sure. See above!
Please note that the car park is private and in constant use by the Ladies Scottish Climbing Club, bear this in mind when choosing your photograph composition and where to stand. There are plenty of places to stand without entering the car park or interrupting the ladies using the cottage.
I personally loved visiting Blackrock Cottage as for me as a photographer it was an image I had wanted to capture for some time. Seeing this iconic location in the snow was incredible and I was blessed with the most perfect soft light and a beautiful dusting of snow on the surrounding mountains, and am delighted to have turned this into a fine art photography print.
The iconic Blackrock Cottage in Glen Coe.
Buchaille Etive Mòr
Buchaille Etive Mòr stands at the eastern entrance to Glen Etive, rising steeply from the floor of Glen Coe. Its sharp, almost architectural profile makes it one of the most recognisable mountains in Scotland, and certainly one of the most photographed. You will see this very easily from the A82, it appears suddenly with its ridges forming a strong, triangular sillhouette. Unlike broader mountain ranges, Buchaille Etive Mòr reads immediately as a single, defined presence in the landscape. Although often referred to as a single peak, Buchaille Etive Mòr is a complex mountain with several summits connected by ridges. From most viewpoints, however, it presents as one dominant form; a visual anchor at the head of the glen. If you are wondering, no I did not climb it, and hats off to those that do because that is one very steep mountain!
In clear weather this is a surreal experience to stand at the foot of this dramatic mountain, you do feel so small beside it. The quickly shifting weather in the glen means it can disappear before your eyes just as quickly as you glanced upon it. I have myself have stood and watched blue skies turn to a blizzard in only minutes, with the mountain disappearing into the abyss before my very eyes.
There are three main viewpoints for Buchaille Etive Mòr:
The A82 Viewpoint - North Side, approaching from Rannoch Moor
The most classic view of Buchaille Etive Mòr, instantly recognizable upon approach. Here the mountain is presented triangularly standing clearly against the glen.
The River Coupall Area (Near the bridge)
Glen Etive Road Entrance
A note on stopping - wherever you stop; please, please, PLEASE be mindful of traffic on the A82; choose safety over convenience. Compromising your safety for a photograph or to see the mountain is not worth it, wait, take your time and stop safely.
The very tiny, wee white cottage; Lagangarbh Hut with the towering backdrop of Buchaille Etive Mòr.
Wee White Hut
Three Sisters Glencoe
Further into the Glen you will find The Three Sisters; Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach and Aonach Dubh. Really, you could not miss them if you tried. They rise sharply from the north side of Glen Coe forming one of the most dramatic mountain walls in Scotland. The first time I personally laid eyes on them I was overwhelmed at their beauty as well as size. They are absolutely huge and incredibly striking.
You can safely view The Three Sisters of Glen Coe by stopping at the carpark on the A82 and stand outside to marvel at their scale and beauty. From here there are paths for walking and hiking. If doing so please ensure you have appropriate footwear and supplies with you, and of course, consider the weather conditions.
Loch Altriochtan
A quieter part of Glen Coe; Loch Altriochtan which can be found just beyond The Three Sisters down to the left of the A82. Often overlooked and missed but one of my favorite locations to photograph. This loch is serene, calm and quite grounding in comparison to its mountainous neighbours. You can park safely here to view the loch. You will see across the bridge there is a cottage, please note that this is someone's home and no cars are allowed to cross the bridge; you will see this also requested on a sign on the bridge. Please do respect the owners privacy when visiting the area and taking photographs. You can absolutely enjoy this area without crossing into the private land. My image above was taken at the beginning of the bridge you will see at Loch Altriochtan.
Photographer Field Notes
Glen Coe is somewhere in Scotland I could never tire of visiting, and again and again marvel at its natural and unrivaled beauty. Each season blessed with its own unique charm in the glen. If you are reading this and have gotten this far, I think I can safely assume you are considering a trip to Glencoe or perhaps already have it booked. I hope you have the best time expriencing the magic and wonder of the Scottish Highlands. If you are going to be seeing it for the first time, soak up every single moment. Allow time to immerse yourself in the beauty before taking photographs as it really is incredible.
I am delighted to have turned my photographs from my trip into fine art photography prints which you can view here.
If you would like to speak to me about any enquiries you can contact me on ljhortonprints@gmail.com or on my contact page here.
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