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Glencoe is not just a village; it is one of the most famous and breathtakingly beautiful glens in the Scottish Highlands. Dominated by immense, rocky mountains with serrated edges, the valley is steeped in both natural majesty and poignant history, including the tragic 1692 massacre. This is the heart of mountain walking, a dramatic landscape that has featured in many famous films.
The valley’s most iconic view is of the Three Sisters of Glencoe (part of Bidean nam Bian), a trio of imposing mountain buttresses. You can explore the history at the informative Glencoe Visitor Centre or take the legendary Hidden Valley (Coire Gabhail) hike, which leads to a magnificent, secret valley floor. For gentler scenery, the peaceful Glencoe Lochan offers beautiful woodland walks around a reflective lake. Glencoe is a truly unforgettable destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Choosing your hotel in Glencoe is about embracing the remote, rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Accommodation is generally concentrated in the small village of Glencoe and the nearby settlement of Glencoe Village, nestled on the shores of Loch Leven.
Staying in Glencoe Village or near it provides the most convenient access to local amenities like the pub, small museum, and easy forest walks like the Glencoe Lochan trails. This small community is ideal if you prefer to be close to a handful of eateries after a day of hiking, and it offers stunning views across Loch Leven.
For those focused purely on the mountain experience and hiking, look for accommodation that is further along the A82 main road through the glen, closer to the major landmarks like the Glencoe Visitor Centre and the Three Sisters Viewpoint. This positions you perfectly for immediate access to the start of the longer, more challenging mountain hikes and viewpoints, but with fewer immediate dining options nearby.
Glencoe is a highly remote destination and is not served by a railway station; the closest major hub is Fort William, 16 miles away. Most people travel by car, making a hotel with dedicated parking an essential consideration. If you are travelling without a vehicle, the Citylink bus service runs along the A82, connecting Glencoe to Fort William and Glasgow, so finding a hotel near the main road or a bus stop is necessary. Many local trails and viewpoints are accessible from the main road, making it easy to start exploring the mountains immediately.
Hotel prices in Glencoe are at their absolute peak during the high season, which spans from June to September, when the Scottish weather is at its best and walking conditions are ideal. Accommodation can be booked up months in advance during this period, and prices reflect the high demand for a limited number of rooms.
For the best value, plan your visit during the winter low season, from November to March. While the weather will be challenging, the scenery is dramatic, and hotel prices are significantly lower. The shoulder seasons of April, May, and October offer a compromise, with better weather than winter and slightly more moderate prices than the summer peak. A unique way to find savings in Glencoe is to consider midweek stays, as the area is extremely popular with weekend hikers and adventure travellers, which drives up Friday and Saturday night prices in particular.