Glencoe's Best Hostels for Budget Travellers and Backpackers

Glencoe is a village in western Scotland. It lies in steep-sided Glencoe valley, in the Scottish Highlands. Scotland’s most famous glen is also one of its grandest. The area is known for waterfalls and trails that climb peaks such as Buachaille Etive Mor and Bidean nam Bian. The approach to the glen from the east is guarded by the rocky pyramid of Buachaille Etive Mor – the Great Shepherd of Etive . The modern road leads over the Pass of Glencoe and into the narrow upper glen. The southern side is dominated by three massive, brooding spurs, known as the Three Sisters, while the northern side is enclosed by the continuous steep wall of the knife-edged Aonach Eagach ridge, a classic mountaineering challenge. The road threads its way past deep gorges and crashing waterfalls to the more pastoral lower reaches of the glen around Loch Achtriochtan and the only settlement here, Glencoe village. A few miles east of Glencoe, on the south side of the A82, is Glencoe Mountain Resort, where commercial skiing in Scotland first began back in 1956. On a hot summer's day the River Etive contains many tempting pools for swimming in, and there are lots of good picnic sites. Glencoe was written into the history books in 1692 when the resident MacDonalds were murdered by Campbell soldiers in what became known as the Glencoe Massacre. In the village, Glencoe Folk Museum occupies 18th-century thatched cottages, with displays on local heritage and the Glencoe massacre of 1692. Glencoe is full of majestic views and interesting history, and these hostels provide an excellent base for exploring the area.