Walk: Signal Rock – the Glencoe Massacre & mountain magic

📌 Glen Coe, Highland
★★★★

Very few walks are as emotive as the short loop visiting Signal Rock in Glen Coe. This gnarled boulder is now surrounded by forest but is said to have been the place (though there is some doubt) where government forces commanded by Robert Campbell of Glenlyon gave the order to attack the local MacDonald clan. Contrast this sobering event with the feeling of elation when the wonderful sight of the Clachaig Gully and the end of the Aonach Eagach ridge is revealed from An Torr. The circuit is a quick one – rare for this fine glen, where many of the best spots involve more serious hikes – but conceals a handful of surprisingly steep sections; refuelling may therefore be required at the famous climbers’ haunt of the Clachaig Inn near the finish.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish on A82 just south of Clachaig Inn, 3 mi southeast of Glencoe village

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 127564

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.661851,-5.056917

❌ Buses pass the start but there is no official stop

🚗 Car park

📝 Key info

▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 100 m | ⌛ 1 hr

Features: ⛰️ Signal Rock; ⛰️ An Torr

⬤ Moderate | Clear paths but several short, steep ascents and descents. Multiple path junctions make navigation confusing – map recommended.

➡️ Clockwise circuit with extension to Signal Rock: start – footbridge over River Coe – Signal Rock – An Torr – Clachaig Inn – footbridge from earlier in route – start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Roe deer in the forest; speckled wood butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.

Weather: Mostly sunny with patchy mist on hills. Temperature in high teens, feeling humid.

July 2019