Overview
Here are four recommended photography routes offering a mix of easy-access viewpoints, valley hikes, and ridge adventures. Each is tailored for varying levels of experience, travel by car from Glencoe village, or public transport.
1. Pass of Glencoe & Three Sisters View
- Route: Drive along A82 from Glen Etive turn-off to Glencoe village.
- Stops:
- Laybys with river foreground and iconic Three Sisters backdrop
- Clachaig Falls area with multiple cascades framed by towering peaks.
- Access: Walk down 150 m from layby to riverside (#1 spot in NatureTTL guide)
- Difficulty: Easy; roadside access with minimal walking.
- Ideal For: Golden hour, moody valley shots, wide-angle and telephoto compositions.
2. Buachaille Etive Mor & Waterfall
- Route: From Kings House Hotel, head west along minor road beside River Coupall.
- Stops:
- Waterfall with Buachaille Etive Mor as background, a classic “Highland Toffee tin” view !
- Further along river for varied compositions (tranquil scenes, wide river/peak frames) .
- Access: Easy walk along flat riverside paths; no technical terrain involved.
3. Lost Valley (Coire Gabhail)
- Route: Park near Glencoe Visitor Centre, follow the boardwalk then head up into the hollow.
- Stops:
- Lush corrie hemmed by Three Sisters—valley with historical intrigue and scale.
- Access: Moderate hike (~3 km return, some steep/boggy sections).
- Ideal For: Low sun, autumn colors, moody skies.
4. Aonach Eagach Ridge & Beinn a’Chrulaiste
- Route A: Park east of the Three Sisters car park on A82 → ascend Aonach Eagach shoulder (no ridge scrambling).
- Route B: Park at Ballachulish/Loch Leven Visitor Centre → hike up Beinn a’Chrulaiste (~400 m climb).
- Stops:
- Ridge shoulder views across Glencoe valley.
- Beinn a’Chrulaiste for panoramic vistas featuring Rannoch Moor, Buachaille Etive Mor/Beag, Three Sisters.
- Access: Moderate to strenuous; requires hillwalking gear.
- Ideal For: Clear days, panoramic and telephoto shots, sunrise/sunset above clouds.
Suggested Shooting Route Schedule
| Day | Route | Level | Est. Duration | Best Light |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pass of Glencoe & Buachaille Waterfall | Easy | 2–3 hrs | Dawn or dusk |
| 2 | Lost Valley | Moderate | 3–5 hrs | Late morning–afternoon |
| 3 | Aonach Eagach or Beinn a’Chrulaiste | Hard | 5–7 hrs | Sunrise or above inverse clouds |
Practical Tips & Planning
- Gear: Steady tripod, wide (16–35 mm) and telephoto (70–200 mm) lenses, ND filters.
- Clothing: Waterproof layers, good walking boots, microspikes in winter, umbrella for rains.
- Navigation & Safety: Download OS maps or use WalkHighlands/AllTrails. Check Mountain Weather Info Service before venturing.
- Timing: Allow 45–60 mins per route; autumn and spring offer extended golden hours, winter has short daylight but dramatic conditions.