Rainbows Over the Scottish Highlands

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The most anticipated part of our Scotland vacation happened on day four when, after hours of driving, we finally promenaded over the hill and into Glencoe territory. If you ever want to pinpoint the most majestic place on Earth, look no further than the Scottish Highlands.

Nine years ago—almost to the week, even—I stood in this very spot and posed for a photo with my friends Evan, Francie, China and Ashley.

Glencoe, Scotland Highlands

Glencoe, Scotland Highlands

I knew when I was planning this trip for my mom and sister that I wanted to bring them to this little slice of heaven nestled deep in the Western Highlands. I wanted them to fall in love with Scotland every bit as much as I have over the last decade: swiftly, madly and deeply at first, as all good affairs start.

Glencoe, Scotland Highlands

This area has always been cherished by the Scots, but has perhaps become more of a traveler draw after being featured prominently in movies such as the Harry Potter flicks—can’t you just envision the Hogwarts Express chugging along there in the distance?—and now Brave.

Glencoe, Scotland Highlands

While what ultimately bothered me about San Francisco was the ever-present fog and gloom, in Scotland, it just seems wrong to have purely sunny days.

Glencoe, Scotland Highlands

So Scotland had to go and be so stereotypical for us by offering up the greenest valleys punctuated by stormy skies and bright beams of sun peeking through the ether.

And a plethora double rainbows.

Glencoe, Scotland Highlands
Glencoe, Scotland Highlands

Glencoe, Scotland Highlands

I mean, way to bring your A-game, Glencoe. Is there a spot in this country that isn’t akin to heaven on Earth? As if we could even contemplate leaving feeling anything but filled up and perfectly satisfied.

Glencoe, Scotland Highlands

Glencoe, Scotland Highlands

COMMENTS
  • October 19, 2012

    Oh WOW!!! These shots are sooooo stunning. Get me back to Scotland!! I enjoyed Glencoe too. How’s those rainbow shots??? MAGIC. I’m sure your Mum and sister fell in love with the place too 🙂 Did you see the train going over the fancy bridge (forgotten names) that was filmed in Harry Potter?

    • October 22, 2012

      I did not, but I think that has to be our next trip to Scotland–a train ride on the Jacobian! It looks so cool!

  • October 19, 2012

    Those rainbows are increíble. I have got to get myself to Scotland stat.

  • October 19, 2012

    I feel the same way about the mountain valley where I grew up; taller, rockier mountains, fewer rainbows, a little slice of heaven.

    For the record, J-Mo and I are now seriously thinking of stopping in Scotland between our Iceland and Paris destinations this spring/summer! 🙂

    xox

    • October 22, 2012

      I totally think you should! Email me if you need any help trip planning. I’ll actually be in Europe from April 23 through June 15.

  • October 19, 2012

    Gorgeous photos – the rainbow is unbelievable! I’ve only spent a few days in Edinburgh with a day trip to Loch Lomond and I would love to get back to see more of Scotland – every pic I see makes it look so incredibly beautiful.

    • October 24, 2012

      It looks just like the scenery in Brave–I have to admit, they did an excellent job recreating the landscape!

  • October 19, 2012

    WOW! Stunning pics! I didn’t know about this place but if I ever go back to Scotland, this is on the list.

    • October 22, 2012

      Don’t you mean WHEN you go back to Scotland? 😉

  • October 20, 2012

    One more place to add to my list, for summer travels that is. I hope you got to drive right under that gorgeous double rainbow.

  • October 20, 2012

    I picture driving a car around the countryside in Scotland to be full of gorgeous scenes like this. Definitely one of my future destinations.

    • October 22, 2012

      It truly is. Being the driver sucks, as you can’t just snap out of the window as you go! I either had to pull over every couple feet (often there weren’t turn-offs) or sacrifice a killer photo opp!

  • October 22, 2012

    Gorgeous. Fucking gorgeous.

  • October 22, 2012

    Oh Kristin your photography is just… breathtaking!! Love them!

  • October 22, 2012

    There is nothing quite like a rainbow to make me smile. There were plenty in Iceland and I see Scotland is no different.

    I love these warm looking sun pictures.

    • October 24, 2012

      Ditto to Ireland. Ireland kind of overdid it with the rainbows. I was all, “another double rainbow? Seriously, Ireland? Psst.”

  • October 22, 2012

    Your photos continue to change my mind about Scotland, I thought it would be mostly rain and castles but the landscape is really beautiful.

    • October 24, 2012

      Oh don’t get me wrong, there *is* a whole lot of rain (though we had far more in Ireland) and a whole lot of castles. But there is also so much more to the country than that (including delicious beer, whisky, food and more!).

  • October 23, 2012

    I know you are a fabulous photographer, and I know Scotland is a beautiful country, but these photos still took my breath away. Stunning!

    • November 15, 2012

      The nice thing is that you have family in England so you have an excuse to go to Scotland on holiday–such an easy and quick trip from London =)

  • October 23, 2012
    Simone Sørensen

    Departured from Edinburgh this morning. Our trip to Scotland has been amazing, never thought it would be that beautiful! Yesterday we went on a trip to Loch Ness, drove through Trossachs National Park and Glencoe, the scenery was unbelievable!

    • October 24, 2012

      I really wanted to take my mom and sister to Loch Ness–I have been just once before, back in 2005–but the drive from St. Andrews to Glencoe took so incredibly long that we ran out of time!

  • October 23, 2012

    WOW! I love Scotland, love rainbows, love your photography! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such perfect rainbows, and I’ve just spent a month in Hawaii 🙂

    • November 15, 2012

      There really is something about the sky and the weather in Scotland and Ireland that make it prime territory for rainbows. I don’t think anywhere else in the world compares!

  • October 24, 2012

    Great camera works and nice collection of images of lovely views in Scotland a traveling paradise on the earth.

  • October 24, 2012

    These photos are stunning. Really, truly beautiful. Truthfully, I wanted to visit Scotland in the worst way as a kid, but it sort of dropped off my radar over the years. Reading about your experiences there is definitely rekindling my interest. Thank you for that.

  • October 24, 2012
    Lance

    Kristin, first, great shots. Your talent and love of photography is awesome.

    I loved Glen Coe when we visited for a day in May. The weather was sunny and warm. Not a cloud in the sky for us. We stayed the night at a B&B in Dalmally along A85. My plan for the day was to loop east on A85 and connect to A82 circling around through the glen to Glencoe and down to Oban. We did that, but the innkeeper recommended an alternative. So a bit east of Dalmally along A85 we took a one-lane B8074 that went along a river with rapids to Bridge of Orchy. Some amazing views that led into the wonderment of Glen Coe.

    My main piece of advice to any traveler to a region like the Western Highlands: When a local tells you to take a different path than what you originally planned, just go with it. And of course be prepared for the very narrow road.

  • October 25, 2012

    I feel like you’re just taunting us with how beautiful it all is. It’s cruel. Each post just makes me want to visit EVEN MORE.

  • October 25, 2012

    And I thought the rainbows in Hawaii were good!

  • October 26, 2012

    You did get you fair share of rainbows!

  • October 27, 2012

    Love the landscapes of Scotland. I’m hoping to get there next summer and do one of those epic hikes that last a few weeks. Really love the shot of the rainbow and your shadow on the road, brilliant!!

  • October 27, 2012

    Stunning captures!! Especially the second one where the water seems all golden and the rainbow shot are nothing short of exquisite!!

  • October 27, 2012

    Rainbow, and a double rainbow! 🙂 What a great view. Want to visit Scotland soon!

  • October 30, 2012

    Beautiful. Absolutely breath taking

  • November 6, 2012

    For some reason, I have never been attracted by England, Wales or Scotland (maybe it is the weather?). I will have to change my mind and give these places a try. Scotland looks beautiful. Too beautiful to pass up.

  • November 29, 2012

    Oh my rainbows! Wow.. this is making me even more excited for our trip!

  • December 29, 2013
    Bobby

    Some fantastic pictures here! I find your blog about world travel and end up fascinated at images of my own country! These pictures make me proud to come from Scotland.

  • April 3, 2015

    Love these photos!

  • October 15, 2015

    I salute writers like you for doing a great job!

  • October 17, 2015

    fantastic pictures here

  • November 3, 2015

    Beautiful!

    The Scottish Highlands are simply magical. I highly recommend going on the Isle of Skye to see the Fairy Pools and the Old Man of Storr.

    • November 3, 2015

      We did also go to Skye on this trip—it was my first time! But I don’t remember going to the Fairy Pools or Old Man of Storr. Only solution? Plan a return trip to Scotland, stat!

  • November 12, 2016

    Well, Totally, I do love these pictures. They are so amazing. Wonder, want to go there. 🙁

    Thanks for sharing.

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