Getting to Glen Coe
Tucked into the Scottish Highlands where the mountains fold in on themselves like crumpled velvet, Glen Coe is not the easiest place to reach — and that is precisely the point. The journey here, whether by road, rail or bus, is half the experience. Whichever route you choose, you will arrive understanding why this landscape has stopped travellers in their tracks for centuries.
By Car from Glasgow
The A82 from Glasgow to Glen Coe is one of Scotland's great drives, and the most popular approach. Leave the M8 motorway and join the A82 at Dumbarton, then follow the road north along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. The loch stretches for over 20 miles on your left, its islands and wooded shores shifting in the light. Beyond Tarbet the road narrows, climbing through Glen Falloch to Crianlarich, a small junction village where the West Highland railway crosses overhead.
From Crianlarich, continue north through Tyndrum — fill your tank here, as this is the last reliable petrol station before Glen Coe. Past Tyndrum, the A82 crosses the vast, treeless expanse of Rannoch Moor, one of Europe's last great wildernesses: 50 square miles of peat bog, lochan and sky. On a clear day the views stretch to the Cairngorms; on a grey day the moor has a brooding, primordial beauty all its own.
Then comes the descent into Glen Coe itself, the road dropping between Buachaille Etive Mor and the rocky flanks of the glen. The whole drive is roughly 100 miles and takes around two hours in good conditions, though you will want to allow longer for photo stops and the occasional single-track stretch. Watch for passing places and let faster traffic through — it is the Highland way.
By Car from Edinburgh
From Edinburgh, take the M9 and M80 north to Stirling, then the A84 through Callander and Lochearnhead to Crianlarich. From there, pick up the A82 north as described above. The total distance is around 110 miles and the drive takes approximately 2.5 hours. An alternative route runs via the A9 to Balquhidder and the A85 through the pretty village of Killin at the head of Loch Tay, rejoining the A82 at Crianlarich. The Killin route is slightly longer but exceptionally scenic, passing the Falls of Dochart.
By Car from Inverness
Approaching from the north, the A82 runs south from Inverness along the Great Glen, the dramatic geological fault line that slices Scotland in two. You will pass Loch Ness (keep an eye out), Fort Augustus and its canal locks, and the shores of Loch Lochy before arriving in Fort William. From Fort William, Glen Coe is just 16 miles south on the A82. The total journey from Inverness is roughly 80 miles and takes about 1.5 hours — one of the most spectacular drives in the Highlands.
By Car from London
It is a long haul from London, but doable in a day if you are determined. The most straightforward route follows the M1 north to the M6, then the A74(M) and M74 into Glasgow, picking up the A82 from there. Total distance is around 530 miles; allow a solid 9 to 10 hours with fuel and food stops. A far more civilised option is to break the journey with an overnight stay — Glasgow makes a natural halfway point, and the city deserves a night in its own right. Alternatively, the Lake District (around 5 hours from London) offers a scenic stopping point before pushing north the following morning.
By Train: The West Highland Line
If you only take one train journey in Scotland, make it this one. The West Highland Line from Glasgow Queen Street to Fort William is widely regarded as one of the greatest railway journeys in the world, and it is not hard to see why. Over roughly four hours, the train climbs from the urban lowlands through increasingly wild country: past Loch Lomond, over the Horseshoe Curve at Glen Falloch, across the bleak magnificence of Rannoch Moor, and through a string of remote stations that feel like the edge of civilisation.
Among the stops, Corrour stands out — it is the highest and most remote station on the British rail network, with no road access at all. Bridge of Orchy and Rannoch are equally atmospheric. The train terminates at Fort William, from where a Citylink bus (roughly 20 minutes) will take you south to Glencoe village.
Services are operated by ScotRail, with several departures daily. The early morning train is a fine choice, arriving in Fort William in time for lunch. Book tickets at scotrail.co.uk. In summer, a reservation is strongly recommended.
By Bus
Scottish Citylink operates direct coach services from Glasgow to Fort William on routes 914, 915 and 916, with a stop at Glencoe Crossroads — right at the entrance to the glen. The journey from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station takes around 2.5 hours, and there are several services daily in both directions. There is also a direct Edinburgh to Fort William service, taking approximately 4 hours.
Fares are very reasonable, especially if booked in advance. Check timetables and book at citylink.co.uk. The bus is a practical and affordable option if you plan to base yourself in Glencoe village and explore on foot from there.
By Air
Glen Coe has no airport of its own — and you would not want it to. The nearest airports are Glasgow (GLA), approximately two hours' drive to the south, and Edinburgh (EDI), around 2.5 hours away. Both receive frequent domestic and international flights. For those approaching from the north, Inverness Airport (INV) is roughly 1.5 hours' drive away and has connections to London, Amsterdam and other hubs.
There is no direct public transport link from any airport to Glen Coe. Your best option is to hire a car at the airport — all three have on-site rental desks from the major providers. Alternatively, you can take a bus or train into the city centre and connect to the services described above, though this adds time and at least one change.
Getting Around Locally
Once you are in Glen Coe, a car is more or less essential. There is no local bus network serving the glen itself, and the trailheads, viewpoints and sights are spread across a wide area. The A82 runs through the heart of the glen, but many of the best spots — the Lost Valley car park, the Clachaig Inn, the visitor centre at the foot of the Three Sisters — require you to drive between them.
If you have arrived by train or bus, the nearest car hire is in Fort William, 16 miles north. Enterprise, Arnold Clark and local operators have offices there. Book ahead in summer, as availability can be tight. Taxis are available in Fort William and Ballachulish but should be pre-booked rather than hailed.
One final note: the A82 through Glen Coe is a single carriageway with limited overtaking opportunities. Drive at a pace that suits the conditions, use passing places to let others by, and never park on the road itself. The Highlands reward patience — on the road as much as on the hill.