Scotland, Day 3: Acrophobia Along the Hidden Valley Trail, Lunch at Kingshouse Hotel, Driving Glen Etive Road

August 30, 2025

Breakfast in our cottage, using some of the leftovers from our dinner in Glasgow.

We headed out to Glencoe Valley (specifically the Three Sisters Car Park). Our goal today: the Hidden Valley Trail.

We’d stopped here briefly, during our last visit to Scotland. But the weather was rough, and we didn’t walk all that far.

This time though – we were heading further, with more to traverse (some bridges, as well as a rock scramble).

Walking down some steep stairs.

A challenge rock scramble. Note the guide line on the right, to help folks work their way up.

As the elevation kicked up, I started to wonder how far “up” we were headed.

Right around here is where I started to break down. I’m not great with heights, and like a dunce… I didn’t put together the fact that the “elevation” on the hike guides meant that we’d be up pretty high.

Looking out over things was fine for me. But the hiking path had a pretty sheer drop, that made it incredibly difficult for me.

Here’s where I ended up stopping. I just couldn’t keep on going (Liz ended up pressing forward a bit more).

A photo of me, planted on the solid earth. Not wanting to go further up, not looking forward to returning down.

Another small scramble on the way down.

With a slight change of plans, we headed over to Kingshouse Hotel for lunch.

I’d like to point out that as the driver, I refrained from any alcohol like the Boy Scout I am.

Nearby, we found Glen Etive Road, an incredibly scenic drive. And honestly, one of the best car moments of our trip.

Some trivia: the family of author Ian Fleming had a lodge on the glen, and many of the scenes from the movie Skyfall were shot in this area.

It’s hard to describe this narrow, one-lane road. While there were a lot of other cars also doing the same thing as us, we were alone for a good portion of our drive. And it was just an amazing, scenic view of the area.