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The Pap of Glencoe reflected in the lochan among autumn trees.
Argyll and Bute

Glencoe Lochan

A still lochan above Glencoe village, ringed by Canadian trees planted for a homesick wife and mirroring the Pap of Glencoe.

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Welcome

Glencoe Lochan is a small, still lake in the woods just above Glencoe village, with the peak of the Pap of Glencoe reflected in its water.

Donald Smith, later Lord Strathcona, a Scot who had gone to Canada in his teens and made his fortune there, bought the Glencoe estate in 1895, made the lochan and planted its shores with trees from the Pacific North West in honour of his Canadian wife, Isabella Hardisty, who is said to have been homesick. Cedars, firs, spruces, western hemlock and Douglas fir grow here beside native Scots pine, and the likeness to the lakes of the Canadian Rockies is easy to see.

Forestry and Land Scotland looks after three short trails: the level Lochan trail of a mile, fit for all abilities, a woodland trail, and a steeper mountain trail up to views over Loch Leven. There are picnic benches by the water, and the car park charges a fee.

A short drive awayClachaig InnThe walkers' and climbers' inn deep in Glencoe, with log fires, more than 365 malt whiskies, live music, food all day and rooms.5 min by roadSee itHotel family room with a double bed and two single beds
Before you go

Leave the A82 at Glencoe village, cross the humpback bridge and turn left at the sign.

The car park charges a fee; the nearest toilets are in the village.

Trails
Lochan trail 1.6 km, all abilities; woodland trail 2.4 km; mountain trail 2.4 km.
Parking
Charges apply.
Where it is

Above Glencoe village.

Close byBy Glencoe village.
  1. GlencoeGlencoeScotland's most famous glen, walled in by the Three Sisters and the Aonach Eagach, and remembered for the massacre of 1692.Under a mile 2 min by road
  2. Kingshouse HotelKingshouse HotelThe old drovers' inn at the head of Glencoe, rebuilt as a hotel and bunkhouse, with a climbers' bar and red deer grazing by the door.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. Thatched white cottage with black door, chimneys and roadside pavementGlencoe Folk MuseumA folk museum in Glencoe village, at the Loch Leven end of the glen.Under a mile 3 min by road
  4. Glencoe Visitor CentreGlencoe Visitor Centre2 miles 6 min by road
  5. The Pap of Glencoe rising above Loch Leven.The Pap of GlencoeThe pointed peak above Glencoe village, a steep, rough climb to a wide view over Loch Leven.3 miles 6 min by road
Directions
Hotel family room with a double bed and two single bedsRestaurantsClachaig Inn2.4 miles
Snow on the mountains of Glen Coe under a blue sky.AttractionsThe Lost Valley2.8 miles
Twin peaks of the Three Sisters rise above Glencoe's misty valleyAttractionsThree Sisters of Glencoe3.7 miles
The Aonach Eagach ridge at first light, snow in its gullies.AttractionsAonach Eagach4.2 miles
The rough path of the West Highland Way climbing through a wide, bare glen towards the hills.AttractionsThe Devil’s Staircase4.2 miles
BallachulishRiverBeds at Woodlands GlencoeSleeps 2 · 4.4 miles
A footbridge over the river to the white cottage of Achnambeithach, the glen rising behind.AttractionsLoch Achtriochtan4.9 miles
A bedroom with tartan wallpaper and a bay window looking out over Loch Linnhe.RestaurantsLodge on the Loch5.5 miles
KinlochlevenAttractionsKinlochleven7.5 miles
The Daily for 18 October, from Scotland with love. Golden-hour light catches a shadowed mountain above a loch, rust-coloured moorland in the foreground

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the lochan, and when each is next free.

RiverBeds at Woodlands Glencoe
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Ballachulish
  • 4 miles from the lochan
Check datesStormhouse South, Argyll and ButeStormhouse South
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Appin
  • 13 miles from the lochan
Free 31 Jan – 5 FebStormhouse North, Argyll and ButeStormhouse North
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Appin
  • 13 miles from the lochan
Free 1–6 FebSlochd, Argyll and ButeSlochd
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Barcaldine
  • 16 miles from the lochan
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Argyll and ButeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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