White Corries in winter, Glen Coe, Highlands, Scotland

© AWL Images/Danita Delimon

Winter wonderland. White Corries in winter, Scotland

Glen Coe is a glen of volcanic origins, in the Highlands of Scotland. It lies in the north of the county of Argyll, close to the border with the historic province of Lochaber, within the modern council area of Highland. It is regarded as the home of Scottish mountaineering and is popular with hillwalkers and climbers.

The glen is U-shaped, formed by an ice age glacier, about 12.5 kms long with the floor of the glen being less than 700 m wide, narrowing sharply at the "Pass of Glen Coe". It is named after the river Coe which runs through it. The name of the river may predate the Gaelic language, as its meaning is not known. It is possible that the name stems from an individual personal name, Comhan.