Glencoe is such a magical place to explore the landscape with waterfalls, mountains and streams. To be honest, it’s got the whole package as far as landscapes go as I have been hear countless times.

Just as a location guide and point of reference, I will start my way farthest south and work my way through the valley.

Although you could debate where exactly you should start photographing this wonderful landscape, my first port of call is always the fascinating Rannoch Moor. I describe it as such because of the weather patterns that flow through this desolate moor. It lies to the east of Glencoe and is mainly made up boggy moorland surrounded by mountains. You can walk over a mound, away from the extremely busy A82, and you feel so isolated looking on towards the endless horizon to the east and gorgeous mountains to the north west.

The above photo was taken at sunrise. As you can see, it looks deserted and peaceful, but this is only a stone through from the busy A82. This second photo is looking to the left of the first photo and slightly further up the road. There are so many compositions here from both sides of the road. The other side is much flatter with scattered patches of water amongst the bog but equally appealing to look at.

Just a five minute drive towards Glencoe and you come across the classic view that appeals to all visitors to the area, the Black Rock Cottage! Even if you don’t want to take the same cliche photos as everyone before you, it is still definitely worth stopping, even for just five minutes. The old white cottage contrasts so well with the landscape with the dominant Buachaille Etive Mór in the background.

Just across the road used to be a hotel called the “Kings House”. It’s no longer in use but, if your interested in wildlife, its a great stop to make. You don’t have to sit in a hide and wait for them appearing. Deer are all over the place and you can jump out of the car and even compose your shot correctly without the fear of them running away.

You might be able to see the trend with this next location. This view gives you a clear view of Buachaille Etive Mór, with the stream giving a beautiful leading line. With any luck and in calm conditions, you might get reflections in the stream. Wellies are advised for this location as you may want to get into the steam for a different perspective. This was taken at sunset as the sun goes down on the left of the mountain.

Onto one of the most photographed scenes in Scotland, the gorgeous waterfall, or should I say array of small waterfalls. Regardless of how many photographs you have seen of this location, I personally think this is a must see. I will add this blog as a reference and some thoughts on shooting here. Unfortunately, the waterfalls are best shot after a substantial amount of rain or when the snow melts so there is no guarantee that they will be flowing.

To give you an example of how this could effect your photo, here is is of the same waterfall taken in winter. It just depends on the temperatures at the time. This was shot during a cold spell with and dipping at about -5 degrees. All that being said and even with the depletion of water, it still makes for a lovely photograph. Again, this was a sunset shot creating warm light on the snow capped mountains.

This little house, or should I say hut, sits alone. It’s called lagangarbh hut and lies beneath the Buachaille mountain. It has parking adjacent to it but can fill up fairly quickly. Like most of the areas, there are multiple compositions to shoot. It has a beautiful bridge and a perfect place to put down your tripod. Again it is a common photo but don’t let that put you off. Like the previous photo, this was at a lower water level but there is a visible stream leading through the valley.

In the same location and further up the stream, at the point where it bends to the right in the above photo. There is a perfect place to capture reflections. Even if there is a little wind, because it is a valley, it is still possible (all depending on the direction of the wind). Although this is a small and narrow river, if you have a wide angle lens, the appearance does tend to make it much larger and wider than reality. Regardless of the reflections, it’s still a beautiful scene to capture as seen in the right hand photo with just the cottage and the mountain.

At this same location at dependant on the time scale we have, there is an opportunity to climb the adjacent mountain, Beinn a’Chrulaiste. To be honest, it doesn’t really take that long to get to a viewpoint that enables you to get this photo but in my opinion, it truly captures the essence of Glencoe. It’s certainly not for everyone but it’s one of my personal favourites. To capture this photo in the light it deserves, we will need head torches and the appropriate gear. Although it is a tame hill as far as climbing goes, you will still need crampons if the climate requires, or if there is snow on the hillside. In order to get to the point, we will need at least 1 hour 30 minutes if you want to captures this in the best light, although like any landscape photos, there is no guarantee that we will get that “great light”.

Beside the “Three Sisters” and the main public viewpoint, there is a view looking down the valley from a slightly elevated position. I have been here so many times before, and you honestly can’t predict any weather patterns at all. Ask any hill walker in the region, it truly has it’s own weather! Never the less, this view point is magnificent! This truly typifies Scotland and Glencoe in general. This is a long exposure of the three sisters looking on towards the sunrise.

There is a couple of more photographs to consider when you are actually in the village of Glencoe. I have seen beautiful images that I have yet to take so I am only showing places that I have researched. All the places on this page, I am very familiar with and have visited more than 10 times so I am very comfortable with all the desired locations. As a finishing photo, here is a shot of the little boat on the loch.

If you actually fancy a camp, there is a great little campsite called Caol just to the west of Glencoe. It offers gorgeous panoramic views around the valley. What better way to spend the night than the great outdoors. This is sunrise on Loch Leven where the low lying mist was all around the mountains. I suppose thats the best bit about a camp. Open the door in the morning and you are truly blessed with such a wonderful landscape.