Around Scotland: Glencoe

IT IS a wonder that when he was scouting for locations to film his Lord of the Rings trilogy, film director Peter Jackson managed to overlook the west of Scotland as a possible location to create the dramatic backdrops that would become Middle Earth.

New Zealand, of course, provided him with a backdrop as beautiful and awe inspiring, however, when watching the films you can’t help but notice the striking similarities that exist between the landscapes there and those that loom above you when motoring out the A82 en route to Glencoe.

JRR Tolkien, it goes without saying, is one of the greats of British literature. And while he would have no doubt appreciated what New Zealand offers in terms of jagged peaks and sweeping glens, it would probably be a fair to say that it was not that land of the long white cloud that inspired the mythical world he created. You’d imagine all he needed to do was look a little further north to find a little magic.

Glencoe is a place of magic and inspiration, where mountains converge and where testaments to Mother Nature tower high above anything the purported wonders of the modern world have managed to create. While Scotland’s cities, with their bustling high streets, arts festivals and vibrant nightlife, provide visitors to the country - and the Scottish public themselves - with a taste of modern life, it is only in places such as Glencoe that you can touch base with marvels that have been drawing visitors to here for generations.

Of course Glencoe has not completely missed out of the Hollywood treatment. Gandalf may have taken an Emirates flight down to the southern hemisphere but one more local wizard found time to hang about.Glencoe provided the backdrop for Hagrid’s Hut in the Harry Potter film series and was also used for other blockbusters such as Rob Roy and Highlander.

But, as one friend of mine observed on a visit there: “You don’t need the film sets to feel the magic here, inspiration is the key.”

BEST ACTIVITY:

Mountain walks - Buachaille Etive Mor: There are many beautiful and scenic mountain walks in this part of the world but this is perhaps the most famous. With several routes up the mountain, of varying difficulty, it provides the ideal viewing point for Rannoch Mor and Glen Etive. Click here for more details of walks in the area.

WHERE TO STAY:

Glencoe Cottages: Located in the heart of the Highland Glen the cottages provide the ideal base for exploring the stunning surroundings. The cottages were also the base for the Warner Bros film crews when filming the Harry Potter series. Filming at one point involved the hiring out of every cottage of every cottage over a number of months as they became the editing and production centres of the Glencoe shoot. Click here for more details.

GOOD WATERING:

Clachaig Inn: Just a wee jaunt from Glencoe Cottages you’ll find this charming pub. In existence for over 300 years and located in the heart of Glencoe, it boasts three bars and serves food throughout the day with local venison, beef and salmon being the specialities. The pub also specialises in cask ales and malt whisky, the perfect way to wet your whistle after a long’s day’s exploration. Click here for more details.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Glasgow (inc. Airport)

Head along the M8 and cross the Erskine Bridge where you’ll join the A82 for Glencoe and the North West.

Edinburgh & the South

Follow routes to Stirling (M9 or perhaps M6/M74) and then follow signposts for Callendar and the A84. Once at Crainlarich, this road joins the A82.

From the North

Glencoe is about 30 minutes south of Fort William on the A82.