Glen Etive

Glen Etive (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Èite) is a glen in the Highlands ( Argyll and Bute) of Scotland. A single track road, widely regarded as one of the most picturesque roads in all of Scotland, runs from the Kings House Hotel down the glen for some 11 ml/18 km. This meandering road was actually built to serve the tiny hamlets of Dalness and Gualachulainng and several houses and farms. This road ends at the head of the loch, though rough tracks continue along both shores.

The River Etive (Scottish Gaelic: Abhainn Èite) rises on the peaks surrounding Rannoch Moor, with several tributary streams coming together at the Kings House Hotel, at the head of Glen Coe. From the Kings House, the Etive flows through Glen Etive for about 11ml/18 km, reaching the sea at Loch Etive.

The point at which the river enters the loch Loch Etive (Scottish Gaelic, Loch Eite) is a 30 km sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It reaches the sea at Connel, 5 km north of Oban. It measures 31.6 km (19 3⁄4 miles) long and from 1.2 km ( 3⁄4 mile) to 1.6 km (1 mi) wide. Its depth varies greatly, up to a maximum of 150 m (490 ft). The River Etive drains into Loch Etive from its source near Kingshouse on Glencoe, Rannoch Moor. A small, single track road runs alongside the river for its 11 ml/18 km course to the loch – this road is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque roads in all of Scotland.

The River Etive rises on the peaks surrounding Rannoch Moor, with several tributary streams coming together at the Kings House Hotel, at the head of Glen Coe. The river flows through Glen Etive, draining into Loch Etive, a sea loch. The river was peaceful when this picture was taken from the 'garden' of our rented cottage. After a period of heave rain the level can rise by about a metre over a fairly short period of time resulting in a much more active scene. The PiP shows River Etive with Buachaille Etive Beag in the distance. A small, single track road runs alongside the river for its 18km course to the loch – this road is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque roads in all of Scotland. The pictures above and below show a small section of this road at the lower end of the glen, about 2km from the head Loch Etive. The point at which the river enters Loch Etive

Glen Etive

Glen Etive

Loch Etive (Scottish Gaelic, Loch Eite) is a 30 km sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It reaches the sea at Connel, 5 km north of Oban. It measures 31.6 km (19 3⁄4 miles) long and from 1.2 km ( 3⁄4 mile) to 1.6 km (1 mi) wide. Its depth varies greatly, up to a maximum of 150 m (490 ft).

Perhaps better enlarged Loch Etive (Scottish Gaelic, Loch Eite) is a 30 km sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It reaches the sea at Connel, 5 km north of Oban. It measures 31.6 km (19 3⁄4 miles) long and from 1.2 km ( 3⁄4 mile) to 1.6 km (1 mi) wide. Its depth varies greatly, up to a maximum of 150 m (490 ft). The River Etive drains into Loch Etive from its source near Kingshouse on Glencoe, Rannoch Moor. A small, single track road runs alongside the river for its 18km course to the loch – this road is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque roads in all of Scotland. The loch water is coloured by the presence of peat in the water of the River Etive, which enters the loch at this point, mixing with the seawater. From 1847 a steamer service from Oban carried passengers to the now derelict pier (just visible at centre of picture) at the north end of the loch, linking to a carriage service that took tourists up Glen Etive to see Glen Coe. A later structure, located near the original jetty, can be used for the transportation of timber by sea in the form of logs harvested from the forestry on the hills in Glen Etive. The name Etive is believed to mean "little ugly one" from the Gaelic goddess associated with the loch. It heads east for half its length alongside the main road and rail link to Oban, before heading northeast into mountainous terrain seen here. The narrow mouth of the loch results in its most unusual feature, the Falls of Lora. Part of the north bank has been designated a Special Area of Conservation in particular due to old sessile oak woods. Surprisingly, a small colony of around 20 common seals is resident in Loch Etive.

The River Etive rises on the peaks surrounding Rannoch Moor, with several tributary streams coming together at the Kings House Hotel, at the head of Glen Coe. The river flows through Glen Etive, draining into Loch Etive (sea loch). A small, single track road runs alongside the river for its 18km course to the loch – this road is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque roads in all of Scotland.

Best enlarged The River Etive rises on the peaks surrounding Rannoch Moor, with several tributary streams coming together at the Kings House Hotel, at the head of Glen Coe. The river flows through Glen Etive, draining into Loch Etive. The river was peaceful when this picture was taken. After a period of heave rain the level rises by about a metre over a fairly short period of time resulting in a much more active scene. A small, single track road runs alongside the river for its 18km course to the loch – this road is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque roads in all of Scotland.

Best enlarged Found on a quite stretch of the River Etive, Glen Etive

Best enlarged The bridge is not quite a rickety as might appear. Although the deck is rather fragile looking, it is supported from below by two substantial spruce tree trunks secured into the banks of the stream. Yes I did put the bridge to the test;-))

Best enlarged The five bar gate prevents vehicular access to the estate track but allows walkers easy access (via a bridge) to the hills and glens on far side of the River Etive.

This jetty can be used for the transportation of timber by sea, harvested from the forestry on the hills in Glen Etive. As can be seen from the two pictures, the current jetty is close to the location that the Victorian era jetty would have occupied. It is perhaps worth noting that in the intervening approximately 130 years between the two pictures, nothing seem seems to have changed on the far shore of the loch. A steamer, (see PiP) believed to be the "Osian" (1885 - 1913), moored at a pier on Loch Etive. Since 1877 a tour had run from Oban sailing the 17 miles up Loch Etive (via Connell where it opened to the sea), with coach connections to Tyndrum and Ballachulish Railway Stations. From a pier at the north end of Loch Etive tourists were able to link with a carriage service which took them up Glen Etive to see Glen Coe, a distance of some 17-18 miles. For the Victorian photograph my thanks to Don001 at: the-lothians.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/late-victorian-edwardian-era-scottish.html

Best enlarged Buachaille Etive Mòr (Scottish Gaelic: Buachaille Èite Mòr, meaning "the herdsman of Etive"), generally known to climbers simply as The Buachaille, is a mountain at the head of Glen Etive in the Highlands of Scotland. Its pyramidal form, as seen from the A82 road when travelling towards Glen Coe, makes it one of the most recognisable mountains in Scotland, and one of the most depicted on postcards and calendars. Buachaille Etive Mòr takes the form of a ridge nearly five miles (8 km) in length, almost entirely encircled by the River Etive and its tributaries. The ridge contains four principal tops: from north-east to south-west these are Stob Dearg (1022 m), Stob na Doire (1011 m), Stob Coire Altruim (941 m) and Stob na Bròige (956 m).

Picture taken at the point at which the River Etive enters the loch. Loch Etive (Scottish Gaelic, Loch Eite) is a 30 km sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It reaches the sea at Connel, 5 km north of Oban. It measures 31.6 km (19 3⁄4 miles) long and from 1.2 km ( 3⁄4 mile) to 1.6 km (1 mi) wide. Its depth varies greatly, up to a maximum of 150 m (490 ft). The River Etive drains into Loch Etive from its source near Kingshouse on Glencoe, Rannoch Moor. A small, single track road runs alongside the river for its 18km course to the loch – this road is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque roads in all of Scotland. From 1847 a steamer service from Oban carried passengers to a pier in the area of the pier now used for the loading of logs onto ships (just visible at right of picture) at the north end of the loch. From there the passengers would board a carriage service that took tourists up Glen Etive to see Glen Coe. The name Etive is believed to mean "little ugly one" from the Gaelic goddess associated with the loch. It heads east for half its length alongside the main road and rail link to Oban, before heading northeast into mountainous terrain. The narrow mouth of the loch results in its most unusual feature, the Falls of Lora. Part of the north bank has been designated a Special Area of Conservation in particular due to old sessile oak woods. Surprisingly, a small colony of around 20 common seals is resident in Loch Etive.