AIRPORTS

For arriving in Scotland and making your way to Stob Coire Sgreamhach in Glencoe, the best airports to arrive in are;

Glasgow Airport
Inverness Airport
Edinburgh Airport

CAR

From Glasgow take the A82 road via Loch Lomond northbound direct to Glencoe.

From Inverness take the A82 southbound via Fort William direct to Glencoe.

From Edinburgh take the M9 to Stirling, then take the A84 Callander road, becoming the A85 until merging with the A82 northbound road at Crianlarich. Follow until reaching Glencoe.

Use the following link for a detailed route plan from/to your destination within the UK. AA Route Planner

RAIL

From Glasgow Queen Street station take the West Highland Railway line to Bridge of Orchy. From here, you could hike/hitch/catch bus the remainder of the way to the Kingshouse/Clachaig hotels in Glencoe. Train timetables are available here

BUS

A bus service runs daily from Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow to Fort William, via Glencoe, and then to the Isle of Skye. A full timetable is available here

Red Tape

There is no red tape in Scotland due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which incorporated the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This code, which commenced on the 9th of February 2005, has established statutory rights of access to land and inland water for outdoor recreation.

The Land Reform(Scotland) Act 2003
Scottish Outdoor Access Code

The following aspects should be taken into consideration when you are in the Scottish countryside;

Seek local advice in regard to deer stalking or grouse shooting activities

Ensure that all gates are closed behind you

During the lambing season (March to May) ensure that all dogs are kept on a lead

Please refrain from feeding or annoying any animals

Limited parking space is available at the start of many routes, please ensure that you are not blocking a road and/or entrance

Parking is provided at the start of some routes by the local farmers, it is polite to ask if you can use this facility

Try to refrain from crossing fields with animals and/or crops if an alternative route is available

Ensure that you treat the local environment with care by leaving it as you found it and by taking any litter home with you

Any camp fires should be carefully watched and only used away from dense forest areas

Local Accommodation

Clachaig Inn by night. (Photo by: johnloguk)

Red deer in Coire Gabhail. (Photo by: Boydie)

Wild camping in Glencoe. (Photo by: johnloguk)

Hotels

There are two hotels in Glencoe. Clachaig Inn and Kingshouse Hotel. Both hotels have excellent climbers bars with the Clachaig providing live music, mostly at the weekends.

B&B's/Lodges

Scorrybreac Guest House

Fern Villa

Invercoe Lodges and Campsite

Hostels/Campsites

Glencoe Independent Hostel

Red Squirrel Campsite

Glencoe Youth Hostel

Wild Camping

There is wild camping available on the Kingshouse Hotel Campground which is at the rear of the building. Wild camping is totally legal in Scotland and can be done in various locations close to Stob Coire Sgreamhach. This is due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 that was mentioned earlier.

Here are some of the basic rules that should be adopted when wild camping;

The larger the group, the harder it is to keep impacts to a minimum. Keep groups small.

Camp as unobtrusively as possible.

Remember that noise travels from tents disturbing wildlife as well as humans.

Enjoy the freedom of wild camping without leaving a trace of your passage. Protect our country's outstanding scenery and wildlife as well as the wilderness experience.

Camping on the same spot harms vegetation. Aim to move frequently and do not stay for any longer than 3 nights in the same place.

Lighting fires poses a high fire risk on peaty soils and close to tinder dry grass. A high risk of fire can exist at any time of year, and not just in times of drought.

Watercourses and loch sides are important sites for birds and animals. Take extra care when camping near burns and lochs, and try to avoid camping immediately beside them.

Always find a spot at least 30 metres from fresh/running water when going to the toilet.

Bury excrement in a small hole (not under boulders). A trowel or ice axe can be used to lift a flap of turf.

Remove all litter (even other peoples!) Think ahead and only carry in what you are prepared to carry out.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland provides an invaluable leaflet providing a full breakdown of the dos and don'ts of wild camping in Scotland. Wild Camping, A guide to good practice.

Mountain/Weather Conditions

A misty Sgorr Dhonuill. (Photo by: Boydie)

The weather conditions in the Glencoe region can alter rapidly due to its location close to the western coast of Scotland and you should ensure you are fully prepared for all weather eventualities. The following websites will provide invaluable information on the expected conditions for your planned trip. The first link is also posted in the two Glencoe hotel bars on a daily basis.

West Highlands Forecast

Mountain forecast

Avalanche forecast

General weather forecast

As stated, Stob Coire Sgreamhach and all of the peaks in the Glencoe region sit close to the west coast of Scotland. This can have a strong affect on the conditions on the mountains and it is a regular occurrence for Glencoe to experience its very own weather system and to totally differ to the weather in the nearby towns and villages. More detail can be found on the reasons for this occurrence on Proterra's article: Mountain meteorology of Scotland.

Books & Maps

Image reproduced with permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

Books

The Central Highlands by Peter Hodgkiss

The Munros (SMC Hillwalkers guide) edited by Donald Bennet & Rab Anderson

Ski Mountaineering in Scotland by Donald Bennet & Bill Wallace

Scottish Hill and Mountain Names by Peter Drummond

The Munros by Cameron McNeish

The Scottish Peaks by W. A. Poucher

Scrambles in Lochaber by Noel Williams

Maps

Harvey Superwalker Map: Glencoe

OS Explorer Map sheet: 384 Glen Coe & Glen Etive

OS Landranger Map sheet: 41 Fort William & Glen Coe

OS 1:25 000 scale sheet 94: Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor & Crianlarich

Images



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