THE PASS OF GLENCOE TOUR

Starting in Edinburgh, traveling north on the M9 to Perth, the tour passes through beautiful Perthshire to Crieff, famous for its whisky, with a possible stop at the Famous Grouse Distillery. The tour continues up to Loch Earn in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, passing through stunning Perthshire into Crieff, then onward to Lochearnhead.

We will then drive through Glen Ogle, heading to Tyndrum on the A82, stopping at the green wellie for a quick break. Continuing the climb, we will pass the Bridge of Orchy and Loch Tulla, stopping for a vista photo before enjoying mile after mile of the unrivalled beauty of Rannoch Moor.

We will then make another quick stop for a chance to photograph the famous Blackrock Cottage in Glencoe, with Buachaille Etive Mor in the background.

Several hundred yards on, there is a chance to turn down into Glen Etive for a worthwhile opportunity to photograph the amazing Buachaille. This will add extra time to the journey.

Glen Etive is situated in the highlands of Scotland, where the mountains surround the valley. Visitors can see Skyfall and Braveheart film locations along the River Etive route. The River Etive has many tributary streams, flowing into Loch Etive.

If Loch Etive is not an option due to the weather, we will continue to drive past the Three Sisters of Glen, Coe, the stunning views of the highest peaks in old Argyll, and the site of the Glencoe Massacre, looking downhill towards the mouth of the Glencoe Valley.

The infamous Glencoe Massacre occurred on 13 February 1692. In that incident, 38 people from the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by the very visitors (from the first and second companies of the Earl of Argyll) they welcomed. This betrayed the tradition of hospitality that was the norm in the Highlands.

As we drop into Glen Coe village, we can stop for a refreshment at the Clachaig Inn Bar, which boasts of its wide variety of beers. Upon departing, we will stop at a hidden loch and the Clachaig falls, shingled with Loch Leven, passing Ballachullash, which links up to the shores of Loch Linnhe.

We will then travel on the A828, passing Castle Stalker, which has its own long and fascinating history. Castle Stalker is located on a tiny tidal islet on Loch Laichan inlet off Loch Linnhe and is surrounded by water. In recent times, the castle was brought to fame by the Monty Python team in their film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

On route, we can arrange a private tour of the legendary Inverawe Smokehouse before heading on to Kilchurn Castle. The castle’s dramatic location at the head of Loch Awe, with the peak of Ben Cruachan visible, is one of the most photographed locations in Scotland. The inscription over the front door recognises John Earl of Breadalbane and his wife, Countess Mary Campbell, and contains the date of 1693. From the top of Kilchurn Castle, you can see the original territory of Clan Campbell.

As we head back to Crianlarich, we will travel further down into the Trossachs & Loch Lomond area, which is steeped in history, famous events, and notable individuals like Robert the Bruce, William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots and Rob Roy MacGregor. Their stories have been told by numerous novelists, the most famous being Sir Walter Scott. He wrote about Rob Roy and Loch Katrine in his novels and poems and is partly responsible for the popularity of the area today. Many of the characters have been portrayed in films about their lives, such as Rob Roy (1953, 1995), William Wallace in Braveheart (1995), and Mary Queen of Scots (1971), played by Venessa Redgrave.

As we head south nearing Glasgow, it will soon be time to say farewell and ‘until we meet again’ to new friends. Great Scottish Tours hopes that you have enjoyed this incredible experience.