GLENCOE SCOTLAND
Landscapes Of Scotland: Glencoe
by Steven Cronin
Glencoe's spring sky looked bleak; wrathful clouds glared,
threatening imminent showers. Columns of light penetrated the
cloud, stood as sentinels guarding entrance to the sweeping
valley. The scent of springtime was in the air; a new harvest
was approaching.
Animals all around were preparing their nests for new siblings
and a busy summer. The echoes of songbirds and their merry
tunes sang throughout the valley; the season of courtship was
upon us.
A crisp breeze was a reminder of a recent winter; Glencoe was
still adjusting to the new season. The wind was the only sound
of an otherwise silent valley.
Ahead, a small cluster of trees were dwarfed by the
gargantuan mountainside rising steeply from the flat. Foliage
managed to climb about a third of the way up the mountain
face before conceding to the barefaced rock. It looked
impossible to climb; the dominant face was almost vertical.
As the clouds began to clear, the cool, shallow waters to my
right reflected an ever changing sky. The lake was fringed by
marshland and navigable only by the local wildlife.
I continued my march along the lonely valley road and soon
encountered a public house, wonderfully isolated from
civilization. It was cast in shadow as the sun hid behind the
mountain peaks, threatening to emerge and flood the valley
with light.
"Passing through?" enquired the barman politely, breaking his
conversation with an elderly gentleman on the opposite side of
the bar.
"Heading for the village," I replied and grabbed the nearest
chair to soothe my aching limbs. "Coke please."
Refreshed and revitalised, I continued my trek along the
forsaken road, twisting and turning with the contours of the
land.
Glencoe's history can be traced back over 5,000 years.
Perhaps most infamous was one macabre night during the
early hours of 13th February 1692. The resurgence of the
Jacobites worried King William the Third and he ordered all
clan chiefs to declare their allegiances no later than 1st
January 1692.
Maclain of Glencoe however was delayed and didn't sign until
6th January 1692. Unaware of the decision to punish him and
his men, Maclain returned to his land believing all was well.
Campbell of Glenlyon led a group of 128 soldiers who stayed
with the Macdonalds for 12 nights before murdering 38 of
them as they slept during the early hours. Studying this
tranquil landscape, it's hard to imagine such a brutal event
ever taking place.
Despite its barren appearance, the land is teeming with
wildlife; nature accompanies my every step. In a world
seemingly awash with terror and violence, it's good to know
these places still exist. Away from the rigours of city life,
Glencoe has evolved as nature intended.
About the author:
Steven Cronin owns the City Breaks website featuring city break special offers from
luxury hotels to budget accommodations. For more information please visit
http://www.sargas.co.uk
Landscapes Of Scotland: Glencoe
by Steven Cronin
Glencoe's spring sky looked bleak; wrathful clouds glared,
threatening imminent showers. Columns of light penetrated the
cloud, stood as sentinels guarding entrance to the sweeping
valley. The scent of springtime was in the air; a new harvest
was approaching.
Animals all around were preparing their nests for new siblings
and a busy summer. The echoes of songbirds and their merry
tunes sang throughout the valley; the season of courtship was
upon us.
A crisp breeze was a reminder of a recent winter; Glencoe was
still adjusting to the new season. The wind was the only sound
of an otherwise silent valley.
Ahead, a small cluster of trees were dwarfed by the
gargantuan mountainside rising steeply from the flat. Foliage
managed to climb about a third of the way up the mountain
face before conceding to the barefaced rock. It looked
impossible to climb; the dominant face was almost vertical.
As the clouds began to clear, the cool, shallow waters to my
right reflected an ever changing sky. The lake was fringed by
marshland and navigable only by the local wildlife.
I continued my march along the lonely valley road and soon
encountered a public house, wonderfully isolated from
civilization. It was cast in shadow as the sun hid behind the
mountain peaks, threatening to emerge and flood the valley
with light.
"Passing through?" enquired the barman politely, breaking his
conversation with an elderly gentleman on the opposite side of
the bar.
"Heading for the village," I replied and grabbed the nearest
chair to soothe my aching limbs. "Coke please."
Refreshed and revitalised, I continued my trek along the
forsaken road, twisting and turning with the contours of the
land.
Glencoe's history can be traced back over 5,000 years.
Perhaps most infamous was one macabre night during the
early hours of 13th February 1692. The resurgence of the
Jacobites worried King William the Third and he ordered all
clan chiefs to declare their allegiances no later than 1st
January 1692.
Maclain of Glencoe however was delayed and didn't sign until
6th January 1692. Unaware of the decision to punish him and
his men, Maclain returned to his land believing all was well.
Campbell of Glenlyon led a group of 128 soldiers who stayed
with the Macdonalds for 12 nights before murdering 38 of
them as they slept during the early hours. Studying this
tranquil landscape, it's hard to imagine such a brutal event
ever taking place.
Despite its barren appearance, the land is teeming with
wildlife; nature accompanies my every step. In a world
seemingly awash with terror and violence, it's good to know
these places still exist. Away from the rigours of city life,
Glencoe has evolved as nature intended.
About the author:
Steven Cronin owns the City Breaks website featuring city break special offers from
luxury hotels to budget accommodations. For more information please visit
http://www.sargas.co.uk
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