The Glencoe Massacre

The anniversary of the Glencoe Massacre is nearly here again - 13th February.


A timely opportunity therefore for Melvyn Bragg to host a discussion about the events of 1692 on BBC Radio 4. Get the podcast on this link.

Choose your Beer Festival

A quiet time of year here in the glen. Even with some excellent winter conditions on the hills the reports coming back are that there's few folk taking advantage of them. Probably all busy slaving away in the office like the rest of us!


January is a busy time behind the scenes at Clachaig. Enquiries and bookings for the season ahead come flooding in at this time of year. And its a last chance to take a step back and ensure that we're all set for the season's trading ahead.

Not least of the jobs to hand is planning the entertainment and events programme for the year. And glad to say that we're just about there now. Our diary pages are just about complete for the remainder of 2010, and we've got not one, but three beer festivals to choose from.


Talk about being spoilt for choice!

The Two Roddies

Never afraid of new ideas and always prepared to innovate, we think we might have finally solved one our age old issues; how to find good staff. Yes, we've cloned them.

The Boots Bar at Hogmanay

I know, I know, it's a bit of a touchy issue and the ethics are perhaps something still to be fully explored. But hey, if it means we can get everyone served on a busy Hogmanay night, then who's complaining.

What? You don't believe us? Look very carefully at this photo sent in by one of our Hogmanay customers. Just another Boots Bar scene, with Jimmy the Bush smiling away. Look again. Look v e r y carefully...


Yes, there are indeed 2 Roddies. Not that Alex minds being cloned. He can still go climbing for the day (yes, that's him over in the right hand column of the page, the "Glencoe Mountaineer"), and also do a full shift at Clachaig.

Must go now, so it's goodnight from him, and goodnight from him.

Ballachulish Ferry

Stumbled across this as I was looking for something completely different, and thought I share it with you.



I note that this looks like a calm day with a slack tide. And that ferry doesn't look too big given the size of the car its carrying. Imagine the crossing on days when there's a spring tide rushing through the Ballachulish narrows and an absolute hoolie blowing across the loch from the west. Maybe the 17 mile detour round by Kinlochleven isn't such a bad thing after all, particularly if you have to share with a Ferguson's timber lorry!

Free accommodation this weekend & next!

Did you know that Clachaig Inn is offering free accommodation this coming weekend? No? Well that's probably because its an offer exclusive to our eNews subscribers.


Its a bit like that big bloke with no neck who mans the the door of your favourite nightclub. If your name's not on the list, you're not coming in.

Want to know what we're up to? You'd better get in touch ASAP. Want to ensure that you don't miss any more fantastic offers? Sign up to our eNews on our home page now!

The Clachaig Glacier

So, how's the weather where you are then? A remarkable spell without doubt. Here at all-but-sea-level on the west coast we don't see much in the way of lying snow. Plenty on the hills, but not a lot in the glen. Unusual then, to see any snow that does fall lie for more than 24 hours. With a slow thaw now setting in, we're saying farewell to snow that fell on 19th December, nearly 4 weeks ago. I've been (mostly) here since 1984 and that's a first!

So, what of the thaw? Has global warming reached Glencoe? Well, it is true that the Clachaig Glacier is receding. This little ice flow has been gathering in the sometimes ridiculously low temperatures over the Festive Break in the lower car park. It has now reached the magnitude of the Mer de Glace, high above the Chamonix Valley. The British Antarctic Survey have set up a camp. It is said that when it melts the sea level in Loch Leven will rise by a full 2 feet. And its a real bugger when it comes to staying upright when you get out of your car.


The odd thing is that the ice has actually been formed by rising water, rather than flowing water. As the stream descends Clachaig Gully it gradually disappears underground and unless there's a real downpour on you won't see any water once it leaves the bottom of the gully. The car park is where at least a little of it makes a bid for the fresh air once again.

Higher up the wintry weather still has a firm grip. Southerly winds this weekend look like they'll take the freezing level to near the summits. How long this milder spell will last remains uncertain just now. However, chances are it will be a while yet before we see the last of ice at Clachaig.

Happy New Year

As the big freeze continues here in Glencoe where you're more likely to see the Abominable snowman than a council gritter lorry our staff are still busy tidying up after our Hogmanay bash. ''Where are all the strong men when you need one?'' screamed Loes, our assistant manager, as she struggled with the empties.

Best wishes to all our guests & customers who helped make it a cracker - not forgetting our hard working staff here at Clachaig who created a great party atmosphere from start to finish.

With temperatures remaining in the minuses and folk still on holiday we've hardly had time to draw breath as the winter season continues so if you are looking for something different to tempt you from the ski slopes or the warmth of your homes why not head up to Clachaig on the
30th January where we will be paying tribute to Scotland's most famous bard in true Clachaig style.

Wishing you all the best for 2010 from Scotland's famous Glen.