The Cheat's Guide to Climbing a Scottish Mountain

A couple of months ago I posted this photo on social media with the caption 'Everyone should touch the top of a Scottish mountain at least once in their life'.  It proved pretty popular and I thought I'd let you into a little secret about how it was taken and how much easier it is than you might think for you to take the same photo.

The photo was taken in Glencoe and the mountain I'm 'touching' is Buachaille Etive Mòr (the great herdsman of Etive).  Probably the most photographed mountain in Scotland, most images are taken from the ground but how much more impressive would it be to go home with a photo like this instead?

if you want some pretty majestic Scottish mountain shots like these without the effort of climbing an actual mountain, here is my cheat's guide.

The Glencoe Mountain Resort is open all year round and for the bargain price of £10 you can be transported 2200 feet into the heart of some beautiful Scottish mountains.  A 12 minute chairlift ride will carry you up by the waterfalls and the downhill mountain bike tracks towards a breathtaking viewpoint.  At the top you will be rewarded with uninterrupted views across Rannoch Moor and the dramatic peaks around you.  
This area is beautiful enough even if you can't manage to walk any higher.  You can enjoy a picnic and wander around some fairly flat ground taking some great images like the ones below.

However, for an even more spectacular view you will have to complete a 15 minute steep and rocky climb to the next viewpoint.   A reasonable level of fitness and appropriate footwear is required but that 15 minute climb for breathtaking mountain vistas and some really dramatic photo opportunities is definitely worth the extra effort if you can manage. 

To get to the second viewpoint turn right when you come off the chairlift and follow the footpath across the bridge and up to the summit of the hill shown above.   At the top the view down Glen Etive and up the valley of Glencoe is simply breathtaking with the mighty Buachaille Etive Mòr standing directly opposite.

If you're like me it is easy to go a little photo crazy when the scenery is so out of this world but before you head back down don't forget to 'touch' the peak and have someone capture the moment! When you get home you can wow all your family and friends with your tale of scaling a Scottish mountain before showing them the stunning pictures to prove it! (Your secret is safe with me, being truthful about relaxing on a chairlift is optional). 
The photos I've posted on here are a mixture of Spring and Autumn at the same location just so you can see how beautiful it is in any season.

More Info

Chairlift rides run throughout the year.  Summer opening hours for the lift are 9am - 4.30pm, last uplift 4.15pm (mid May until mid October)

A ride on the chairlift costs £10 for adults and £5 children. Family tickets are £25.

During the peak summer months the Eagles Rest café will be open on the top of the hill serving, teas, coffees and light snacks, there is also a cafe at ground level.

For full information visit the Glencoe Mountain website.

PIN IT FOR LATER!