How To Reach Glencoe

Glencoe, also known as Glencoe Village is a small settlement located in the Lochaber region of the Scottish Highlands. The picturesque village is a part of the Glen Coe; a volcanic origin valley surrounded by three massive peaks known as the Three Sisters in the south, the Aonach Eagach ridge in the north, and the rocky Buachaille Etive Mor in the east. Even the route from Glasgow towards the glen, as it goes deeper and higher into the mountains through streaming rivers and deep valleys, is a fascinating scene that only gets lovelier along the way. Even though Glencoe is a popular holiday spot in Scotland, it often features on tourists’ itinerary as a region they simply pass through while travelling further north. Located between the banks of Loch Leven, Glencoe is also a great base to explore the entire Lochaber region of the Highlands. Here is all you need to know about the best ways to reach Glencoe.

There are no airports in Glencoe but there are several cities nearby that travellers can fly into to reach Glencoe. The Glasgow International Airport is the nearest airport from Glencoe and is located 130 km away from the village. The Inverness Airport is the next closest one at 146 km away. Travellers can also choose to fly into the airports at Prestwick and Edinburgh, which are located around 190 and 177 km away respectively from Glencoe. All these airports have several means of transportation available from the terminals from where travellers can get to Glencoe via train or road.

No train runs directly to Glencoe. The nearest train station is in Fort William, Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. Travellers can catch a train from Glasgow Queen Street and ride till Fort William or any one of the regions mentioned above. The rest of the journey to Glencoe needs to be covered by road. A local train service also runs from Mallaig to Fort William.

Irrespective of what their original means of transportation is, travellers eventually have to hit the road to reach Glencoe. There are buses and rented cars available to get here, while a lot of local tourists choose to drive themselves as well. The main highlight about a road trip around Glencoe is the scenic journey travellers are blessed with. If you decide to catch the bus to reach Glencoe, there are several points in Glasgow that operate the CityLink bus service. You’ll reach your destination in just around 2 hours if coming in from the south. A CityLink bus service also runs from Uig in north Skye to Glasgow and onwards to Glencoe.

If you choose to bring a car, the A82 highway from Glasgow is the most direct route to reach Glencoe. Take the A828 if coming in from Oban; the West Coast Scenic Route is a longer but much more peaceful road. The A84 should be taken if coming via Stirling/Callander. People who drive in from the North West Highlands will take the A82 or A830 route. After reaching Fort Williams, Glencoe is just a 20-minute drive away.

It is always helpful to have a car around in Glencoe. While much of the valley is meant to be enjoyed on foot, a lot of the main attractions in the region have a few kilometres of distance between them. There are no buses within the village. Bringing your own car or even a rented one is the most advisable way to get around.