Scottish Glens
In Scotland, a glen is a valley with a stream or river running through it. It is generally narrower than a strath. The word comes from the Gaelic word gleann. There are many beautiful glens in Scotland. Below is a selection of the more well known glens.
The Great Glen
This is a chain of narrow lochs and glens following a giant geological fracture of the land that cuts
across the Highlands overlooked by Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis.
Glen Affric
Glen Affric contains one of the largest ancient Caledonian pinewoods in Scotland as well as lochs,
moorland and mountains. This wide range of habitats make Glen Affric a haven for wildlife. There
are many rare and special birds, animals and plants found here. Amongst others you may see deer,
Scottish crossbills, crested tits and if you're very lucky, pine marten.
Glen Affric has many designations - it is a Caledonian Forest Reserve, a National Scenic Area and has
recently been chosen as a National Nature Reserve.
Glen Coe
Glen Coe is an impressive, overbearing, historical, mystical and eerie glen. It's high mountainous
sides give the impression of a fortress. These surrounding mountains provide many walks and rock
climbs of varying difficulties. A stone cross marks the site where, in 1692, 38 Jacobite MacDonalds
were murdered by their guests, pro-English Campbells. There is a visitor centre which tells the story
of this infamous massacre.
Glen Finnan
This glen holds the River Finnan and ends at the historic village of Glenfinnan, at the head of Loch
Shiel. Here you can find a 65ft highmonument, erected in 1815 to commemorate Bonnie Prince Charlie's
1745 arrival to raise his Jacobite army. A spiral stair-case leads up to the parapet which gives
fantastic views over Loch Shiel. The visitor centre contains displays on the prince's campaign from
Glenfinnan to Derby.
Glen Garry
Glen Garry, in the Lochaber area, runs from Loch Quoich in the west to Invergarry in the east. Loch
Garry, a 7 km long loch in Glen Garry, is fed on the west side by the River Garry (from Loch Quoich)
and drains eastwards into Loch Oich. Loch Garry and the River Garry form part of the Garry-Moriston
Hydro-Electric Scheme, operational in 1962. The area round Loch Garry is also part of the Caledonian
Forest Reserve.
Glen Moriston
Within this glen there is a cave where Bonnie Prince Charlie hid in 1746 after defeat. It lies 1 mile
west of An Reithe, and can be reached by lengthy walk from the west end of the heavily wooded glen.
The River Moriston flows through this glen. There are two bridges crossing the river, the original designed by Thomas Telford and built in 1805. This bridge took over 8 years to build due to escalating costs, and it seems to have been doomed to difficult with it being finally replaced in 1954 by the current road bridge, after suffering flood damage three years earlier.
This area is also know for the "Seven Men of Moriston". In 1746 they guarded Bonnie Prince Charlie from the Red Coats following the Battle of Culloden. The success in hiding the Prince was also assisted by the martordom of Roderick Mackenzie, a Jacobite that strongly resembled the Prince and who was identified in Glenmoriston. The Duke of Cumberland's men cornered the supposed Prince and after resisting capture Mackenzie was finally shot, thereby buying time for the real Prince to make his escape.
Glen Nevis
This is a beautiful glen graced with the fresh sparkiling water of the River Nevis and of course the
mighty Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. There are also many varied walks you
can do in this glen ranging from very easy to very difficult.
Glen Shiel
Glen Shiel has some of the most extensive rugged mountain scenery in the highlands. The south Glen
Shiel ridge traverses many fine summits while the Five Sisters of Kintail give you a photo opportunity
not to be missed.
Glen
Dochart
This glen runs from Crianlarich to Killin, with River Dochart running through it and ending at the
spectacular Falls of Dochart in Killin. The falls are spectacular and should not be missed if you are
on a trip in this area.
The Sma Glen
A picturesque glen in central Perthshire through which flows the water of the River Almond, the Sma'
Glen lies 5 miles (8 km) north of Crieff to the west of Glenalmond. Only 4 miles (6.5 km) in length,
it was once part of a major routeway linking Strath Earn to Strath Tay.
The glen was of strategic importance to the Romans who built a fort and watchtower at Fendoch. Through this narrow defile marched Malcolm III of Scotland (1058-93) to recover his kingdom from the usurper Macbeth. After holding his war council in Crieff the ill-fated Bonnie Prince Charlie also marched through the glen on his way to the infamous massacre at Culloden (1746). It is one of history's many ironies that the Prince used this road that was built in 1730 by the English General Wade for the express purpose of crushing the rebellious Scottish clans. In the 18th century General Wade built a military road through the Sma' Glen. Bones found beneath Ossian's Stone, a large stone removed to its present site by Wade's road-builders, were thought to be those of the legendary hero Ossian.
Glen Lyon
Glen Lyon is one of Scotland's most beautiful glens. It starts at Fortingall and runs for some 20 miles
to Cashlie. Over the journey it changes dramatically in character. At its base the River Lyon has
cut a deep gorge known as MacGregor's leap. It gets its name from an outlaw member of the MacGregor
clan, who is said to have escaped justice by leaping the falls. Watch out for the ruined stone bridge,
which dates back to the late 18th century, on the opposite bank
The Glen is packed with history. It is infamous for having been the home of John Cambell of Glen Lyon - responsible for the Glen Coe massacre. You will also find close to Fortingall, the remnants of an early camp, said to be of Roman origin.
Glen Orchy
Glen Orchy is a beautiful glen, twelve miles long, in which the River Orchy runs between Bridge of
Orchy and Dalmally. The forests of Glen Orchy and Glen Lochy provide great opportunities for outdoor
enthusiasts and amateur naturalists alike. There are nature trails through ancient oakwoods and cycle
routes into remote country. There are two remnants of the old Caledonian Pine Forest which are now
protected as Caledonian Forest Reserves. The West Highland Way passes through a corner of the forest
and there are riverside picnic sites for warm summer days.
Glen Shee
Glen Shee is a beautiful area just to the south east of the Cairngorm Mountains. It boasts many Munros
and Corbetts and of course the renowned Lochnagar standing at 1155m.
Glen Etive
This glen runs in a south westerly direction off Glen Coe. The road runs from the main A82 and takes
you approximately 14 miles to the head of Loch Etive, offering some superb views on the journey.
Glen Isla
Glen Isla is the most westerly of the Angus Glens, and the only one that is a through route for cars.
Enroute, you will pass the Loch of Lintrathen, a wildlife reserve and a summer home for Ospreys.
In the winter months, all sorts of wildfowl can be found. Amongst the other outdoor delights is the Backwater Reservoir, where the road takes you across the dam itself.
Glen Urquhart
Glen Urquhart is a very beautiful Highland glen with an attractive mix of planted, conifer forest and
native, broadleaved woodlands. Many areas are suitable for walking. There are waymarked walks in
Craigmonie woodland, near Drumnadrochit at the foot of the glen. There is also a network of forest
roads all along the glen which are ideal for walking, cycling and horse-riding.
In and Around Aberfeldy
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