Glencoe Lochan

Glencoe Lochan is a forest with a central lake in the Scottish Highlands, surrounded by North American conifers and mountains whose reflections shimmer in the still water. The woodland spreads across different elevations and offers varied views of the water and forested slopes from several vantage points.

The forest was established in the 1890s by Donald Alexander Smith, who transplanted trees from the Pacific Northwest to create a familiar landscape for his Canadian wife Isabella. This tree-planting effort connected two continents and created an unusual woodland within Scotland.

The forest paths like the Lochan Trail and Woodland Trail offer different perspectives of the Scottish landscape. Walking through, you experience how people connect with nature in this setting.

The walking paths are well marked and suited for different abilities, from short strolls to longer hill walks. Parking near the entrance provides easy access, and you can fish in the lake if you obtain a permit beforehand.

The forest is mostly composed of spruce and other conifer species from the Pacific Northwest, not native Scottish trees. This botanical feature creates an unexpected landscape that looks quite different from typical Scottish woodlands.