What we’ll need:
Comfortable shoes X 2 - All the stop are pretty straight forward but can get a little boggy if the rain has been back. Waterproofs or wellies are ideal but a couple of pairs of regular shoes will be a fine substitute.
Waterproofs - I’ll be taking a rain jacket, hat, and bag cover, but you can go as crazy as you like here! Umbrellas or rain ponchos can be handy, but whatever you feel comfortable with. A warm jacket for the boat journey would be wise also.
Food - Ideally we’d be looking to bring 2 sets of lunches (one for each day) and some snacks. Day 1 we’ll be able to stop if needed and have dinner at the hotel in Oban. On day 2 we’ll need all our own supplies
Spotify Playlist - You do not wanna listen to my music the whole way, this is essential.
Contents
Day 1
Depart Glasgow @ 07:30
Glenfinnan Viaduct (Train at 11am)
Corpach Shipwreck
Steall Falls (Hike)
Loch Achtriochtan Cottage
Lost Valley (Hike)
Kingshouse Hotel (Stags and Deer)
Blackrock Cottage
Castle Stalker
Kilchurn Castle (time permitting)
Overnight in Oban @ The Royal Hotel
Day 2
Ferry Departs @ 08:00 (return 20:01)
Staffa / Fingal’s Cave (30 Minutes)
Lunga / Treshnish Isles (4 Hours)
Day 1: The West Coast
Location: Glenfinnan Viaduct
Drive Time: 3h
By working out way backwards we can drive straight to the Glenfinnan Viaduct in time to catch the Jacobite Steam train make its way to Mallaig. It’ll take about 3 hours to get there, so to be on the safe side we should leave Glasgow around 0730.
We’ll have plenty of time to make our way to the right spot and see the train pass around 11am.
There are some amazing shots to get from here but unfortunately only around 10 seconds to get them!
Location: Corpach Shipwreck
Drive Time: 20min
On the way back from Glenfinnan we pass through a little town called Corpach where this rather ominous shipwreck sites on the shores, lining up almost perfectly with the biggest munro in Scotland and the UK’s tallest peak, Ben Nevis.
It’s a great little spot to play around with composition and framing a great couple of subjects.
Location: Steall Falls
Drive Time: 25min
An optional stop and a small hike through Glen Nevis to the second highest waterfall (120m). It’s a great hike, never tough, through a forest and following the river along the side of a mountain.
The hike is around 2 hours to complete
Route Link: WalkHighlands
Location: Loch Achtriochtan Cottage
Drive Time: 45min
Possibly my favourite bothy in Scotland, and one of the most popular. On a good day it’s impossible to take a bad photo here. You’ve likely been here / passed it before, but its always worth a stop i reckon.
Great place to compose a few shots and usually offers up a few challenges with exposure due to the mountains and clouds.
Location: Lost Valley
Drive Time: 2min
A 2 hour hike straight in to the mountains of Glencoe, sitting next to the Three Sisters lies a huge open area where the survivors of the Massacre of Glencoe hid before fleeing for their lives. Dramatic!
Route Link: WalkHighlands
Location: Kingshouse Hotel
Drive Time: 10min
Recently refurbished and true to its roots, the Kinghouse as been a stop for walkers, hikers and munro baggers for generations. It’s also home to a few four legged friends who dont mind posing for a photograph or two.
An ideal spot to stop for some food and bask in the glory of the Buachaille Etive Mor from the restaurant window
Location: Blackrock Cottage
Drive Time: 5min
A picturesque little cottage by the Glencoe Ski Resort with the mighty Buachaille Etive Mor in the background. A great little photo stop
Location: Castle Stalker
Drive Time: 40min
Amazing in any light and as unique as castles come. Stalker sits on a tiny island surrounded by Loch Linnhe.
Location: Kilchurn Castle
Drive Time: 45min
Kilchurn Castle ruins on the banks of Loch Awe.
