Winter Snow On Visit To Glencoe And Glen Etive Highlands Of Scotland

Tour Scotland Winter snow travel video, with Scottish music, of Glencoe and Glen Etive on visit to the Scottish Highlands. Glen Coe, Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Comhann, is located in the north of the county of Argyll, close to the border with the historic province of Lochaber, within the modern council area of the Highlands. The south side of the glen is marked by a succession of distinct mountains: Buachaille Etive Beag at the eastern end, followed by the Three Sisters, shoulders of the Bidean nam Bian massif which are subdivided by Coire Gabhail and Coire nan Lochan. The name Coire Gabhail, corrie of the bounty, or hollow of capture, refers to former times when the corrie was used by members of Clan Macdonald to hide cattle and other livestock, whether their own or stolen from others. The wide flat glen is well suited for this purpose since it is a v-shaped glen approached only by a steep narrow gorge. Summits in the Bidean nam Bian massif include Stob Coire Sgreamhach, Stob Coire nan Lochan and Aonach Dubh. By contrast the north side of the glen is a stark wall of mountain, the Aonach Eagach ridge. The ridge is crossed at the eastern end by the Devil's Staircase, an old military road opposite Buachaille Etive Mòr. The western end terminates with the conical Pap of Glencoe, Sgùrr na Cìche, above Glencoe village, at the point where the glen opens out to Loch Leven. This famous Scottish Glen was the site the of the famous Massacre of Glencoe which began simultaneously in three settlements along the glen at Invercoe, Inverrigan, and Achnacon, although the killing took place all over the glen as fleeing MacDonalds were pursued. 38 MacDonalds from the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by Campbell guests who had accepted their hospitality. This Highland location featured a lot in Skyfall the James Bond movie, mainly because it is the most famous Scottish glen and one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world, it also featured in Highlander, Rob Roy, Braveheart and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. At the north end of Glen Etive lie the two mountains known as the Herdsmen of Etive, Buachaille Etive Mòr and Buachaille Etive Beag. Other peaks accessible from the Glen include Ben Starav, located near the head of Loch Etive, and Beinn Fhionnlaidh on the northern side of the glen. Visitors driving to the area usually seek out the famous James Bond's Skyfall and Braveheart film locations, and follow the driving route along the River Etive. The Fachen is also known as the Dwarf of Glen Etive. In the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, Deirdre and her love Naoise founded Glen Etive after fleeing Ulster. All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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