Willie Shand©Willie’s taking a wee diversion on his way home from Oban, to tick off a walk to Signal Rock in Glencoe.
Heading home to Kinross-shire after a morning walk near Oban, Glencoe is hardly on the direct route. However, it was just a perfect day for a run north by Loch Creran and Port Appin. I was away to tick off another wee walk from my to-do list.
No, it wasn’t the Aonach Eagach ridge, but a nice easy low-level walk. It started from beneath it at Loch Achtriochtan, following the banks of the River Coe to the Signal Rock.
Rock On
The Signal Rock. Photo by Willie Shand.
Tucked away in An Torr woods, this is the rock from which — tradition has it — the signal was given for the Massacre of Glencoe. At 5 am on the morning of February 13, 1692. Given Captain Robert Campbell and his soldiers would have tried to keep the element of surprise, it seems unlikely that they’d have announced their intentions in this way!
Right from the outset, this is a fantastic walk. It takes us through some of the finest mountain scenery Scotland has to offer.
In contrast to the quite sheltered waters of Loch Achtriochtan, the Coe is a noisy burn. It spills over several picturesque mini falls as it heads west to Loch Leven.
The River Coe. Photo by Willie Shand.
Signal Rock
From the Signal Rock the track continues to the summit of An Torr. Then it’s all downhill to the Clachaig Inn — my arrival being well-timed for dinner.
Heading for the Clachaig Inn. Photo by Willie Shand.
From the Inn, the return to Loch Atriochtan was now above the opposite bank of the Coe with — needless to say — dozens of photo-stops along the way.
Read more from Willie’s travels around Scotland.
