Photography
If you have a passion for photography and particularly landscape photography, then Glencoe is nothing short of a dream come true. It can deliver all of the stunning landscape shots you could ever desire, with its ever changing light and shadows reflecting off mountain streams, lochans, and all the various shades of rock and heather. Whatever the weather, there’s always that perfect shot that you’ve been looking for just a click away.
Dawn and Laurence both know the surrounding area well, and are more than willing to point out exactly where the favourite photography hotspots are, but depending on you own photography style, we may even be able to point you in the direction of some seldom visited areas for the more unique outlook.
Why not learn all the tricks of the professionals by joining a safari to learn the art of landscape photography and capture the classic shots of Glencoe. Glencoe Photography can take you on location to experience a fabulous day exploring the skills and techniques of digital photography.
Wildlife and Flora
When travelling in the Highlands of Scotland, you’ll hopefully get to see a range of wildlife that you might not spot in the other areas of the UK or the world.
Spotting your first majestic stag on the mountainside is a real treat. We can point you in the right direction where deer can be seen throughout the year. Red squirrels are rare in much of the UK but here we have healthy populations. The list of animals that you may see is great – sea otters, and seals are common place. But what about the more elusive pine martens and wildcats. We have a pine marten that regularly visits our garden bird feeders. Although we’ve never spied the exceptionally rare Scottish wildcat, there is a wildcat sanctuary a short drive from us in Glencoe wood. Golden eagles , sea eagles and other raptors such as buzzards, peregrine falcons and sparrow hawks are also often spotted high in the skies above the Glen. And if you want to see the clown like puffins in their natural habitat, then we can recommend an island boat tour. Here you can walk close to the cliffs where a healthy population breed each year. And let’s not forget the Highland cow – you’ll want to make sure you spot one of these gentle giants.
Sunart Oakwoods
Around Loch Sunart lie some of the finest temperate oakwoods in the British Isles. They are remnants of a formerly much more extensive band of coastal woodland which once stretched from Scotland down the Atlantic coast of Europe as far as Spain and Portugal. These ancient semi-natural woodlands are home to some of the best collections of lower plants (plants which do not flower) in the whole of Europe. The clean air, moist climate and long continuity of woodland cover have combined to produce ideal conditions for lichens, mosses and liverworts. Loch Sunart is also home to a particularly high density of otters. Together with its marine reefs, and the surrounding woodland and heathland habitats, the entire area has been recognised as important for conservation through designation as a Special Area of Conservation.
Art Galleries
Holroyd Gallery has been a family business since 1972. Based in North Ballachulish, they exhibit original paintings with a Scottish theme, whether it be landscape or wildlife. They have a large selection of oils, watercolours and pastels. There is a mix of local artists as well as some well know names.
Glencoe Studio Gallery is situated just down the road from us in Glencoe Village. Caroline’s original pastel paintings and high quality reproduction prints predominantly feature scenes of mountains and beaches. However, almost all have the central dominant theme of dramatic sky.