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 a perfect winter trip to the Scottish Highlands.

I heard there was a snow forecast throughout the Scottish Highlands, so I packed my camera equipment and impulsively travelled to Glen Coe. It is an incredibly striking and beautiful part of Scotland all year round but to see it snow would be surreal. 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. A 10/10 decision to start the New Year. If you didn’t think this part of Scotland could get any more magical, it was as if I had wandered straight through a wardrobe and stepped directly into the untouched snow of Narnia.

This is my guide to visiting 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. This is also useful if you aren’t a photographer as it will provide you with lots of ideas for your trip, and I’m sure regardless you will want to capture lots of photographs and document your trip to this truly incredible part of Scotland. 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 if you really committed! So, lets get started with visiting Glen Coe…

A beautiful wild stag observed in Glencoe near the Kinghouse Hotel.

First things first coffee at the 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 cosy 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 in January 2026 with my family. We also hope to visit again in Spring, just for good measure. You know it’s good coffee when you’re willing to drive 2.5 hours for it.

After a hot coffee and a bite to eat, 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 hugely advantageous for visiting this vast area, though of course you can also hike, as you may well know the Kingshouse Hotel is a stopping point on the West Highland Way. Another way to explore Glen Coe is through an organised tour which will stop at particular locations on a planned itinerary so is another great way to see the area.

A magnificent wild red stag standing in front of Buchaille Etive Mòr.

Meet the Locals - Wild Red Deer

If you take a walk around the grounds surrounding the Kingshouse 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, which is exactly how we should see them. 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 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. We did not approach them, they appeared curious towards us, perhaps looking for food, we did not feed them and stayed at a safe distance admiring them. This allowed me to capture many beautiful images of them which I am so proud of and thankful to have captured. It truly makes me want to visit this Glen Coe again solely to watch these magnificent animals in the wild. Seeing them in the snow was particularly beautiful as the backdrop was just incredible.

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; a beautiful subject indeed.

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, and being able to capture it in the snow, well that is a dream come true. 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 nor do I intend to, and hats off to those that do. It is an incredibly steep mountain and certainly not for the faint of heart.

In clear weather, it is a surreal experience to stand at the foot of this dramatic mountain, you do feel so very 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:

Firstly, 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.

Secondly, The River Coupall area (Near the bridge).

Lastly, the 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 A82 running through Glen Coe is a fast road, be mindful when making any stops; park only in safe parking bays, if they are full come back later and try again.

The very tiny, wee white cottage; Lagangarbh Hut with the towering backdrop of Buchaille Etive Mòr.

Wee White Hut

Nestled at the foot of Buchaille Etive Mòr sits Lagangarbh Hut, the very famous wee white house of Glen Coe. Its simple white walls and isolated setting have made it one of the most photographed buildings in Scotland. Despite its rugged appearance and convenient location, Lagangarbh Hut was not originally built for climbers. The building began life as a traditional croft house constructed with thick stone walls and roofed with local Ballachulish slate to withstand the fierce Highland weather. Its layout followed a typical crofting design, with rooms on either side of a central hallway and sleeping quarters upstairs.

The surrounding landscape would once have been used for small-scale farming and grazing, though today the cottage feels completely remote against the vast moorland and mountains. The land around Glen Coe came into the care of the National Trust for Scotland in the 1930s and, in 1946, the building was leased to the Scottish Mountaineering Club, which converted it into a mountaineering hut for climbers and hillwalkers exploring the surrounding mountains. Today the hut can accommodate around 20 people, with simple bunk-style sleeping platforms, cooking facilities, heating and a drying room. Essential for those returning from a long day of climbing.

You will notice the wee white house very easily as it stands starkly and distinctively against the mountains and wide open moorland. It is an incredibly photogenic setting and also a surreal location to visit. When I visited this area for the first time it was definitely a pinch me moment seeing the iconic wee white house. There is some parking on a long bay off the side of the A82, please, as always, be very mindful of parking here and crossing the road to go down to see the house.

The Three Sisters Glen Coe

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 by their beauty as well as size. They are absolutely huge and incredibly striking. Seeing them in snow was beauty and awe beyond imagination.

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 is 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 personal favorite locations to photograph in the area. 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 owner’s 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. Again and again I have marvelled 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 most wonderful trip experiencing the magic and wonder of Glen Coe and the Scottish Highlands. If you are going to be seeing it for the first time, soak up every single moment. Slow down and allow time to immerse yourself in the beauty before taking photographs as it really is incredible. There really is no where quite like it.

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.

Lastly, if you have enjoyed reading this blog why not follow along on socials; you can find me on Instagram on @LJHortonPrints