Glen Coe

Glen Coe is a glen in the Highlands of Scotland. It lies in the southern part of the Lochaber area of Highland Council Area, and is considered part of the traditional county of Argyll. It is often considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in Scotland, and is a part of the designated National Scenic Area of Ben Nevis and Glen Coe.

Ownership

Glen Coe was originally part of the lands of Clan MacDonald, though since the ending of the clan structure they progressively sold off their estates.

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Most of the Glen is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland whose visitor centre has displays about both the natural and historical significance of the glen. The land was purchased by Percy Unna, who then gave it to the trust on condition that it maintained the wild nature of the land. The building of a visitor centre caused some controversy, as some felt this to be a contravention of Unna's "rules". The original centre was later closed, and new built one further down the glen.

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The last area of Glen Coe to be owned by the MacDonalds was the area around Invercoe. In 1894Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal purchased this area and built a stately mansion, Mount Royal. In 2002 Alistair MacDonald of Glencoe made a succesful eleventh-hour bid, and purchased the remaining lands of Lord Strathcona from his descendants. Alistair received unsecured loans from just six donors, and immediately set up the Glencoe Heritage Trust, a non-profit-making charitable trust, to secure the heritage of Glencoe.

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1894 - Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal - 2002

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