Today’s Newsletter Presented By
The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
The Honest Truth About Hiking Aonach Eagach
Aonach Eagach is frequently recommended as one of Scotland’s best ridge walks. What the hiking blogs often understate is that it’s also one of the most exposed and technically demanding routes on the Scottish mainland. This is not a walk — it’s a scramble.
- Grade 2 scrambling means using your hands — a lot. Several sections require hand-over-hand climbing on exposed rock with significant drops on both sides. If the word “exposure” makes you uncomfortable, this ridge is not for you. Practice on easier scrambles like the Cobbler or Buachaille Etive Beag first.
- Once you’re on the ridge, retreat is extremely difficult. The route is essentially one-way. The pinnacles and narrow sections make turning back as dangerous as continuing. Commit only if you’re confident in your ability to complete the full traverse in the conditions.
- Check the weather obsessively before starting. Aonach Eagach in cloud, rain, or wind goes from challenging to genuinely dangerous. Rock becomes slippery, visibility drops to metres, and navigation on the exposed sections becomes critical. Only attempt this in settled weather with a clear summit forecast.
- The winter version is for experienced mountaineers only. January conditions add ice, snow, and shortened daylight. Winter ascents of Aonach Eagach require crampons, ice axes, and alpine experience. Do not attempt this as a “winter walk” — it’s a winter mountaineering route.
Want more honest Scotland travel advice? Join 43,000+ readers in our free Scotland newsletter.
(Your business could be featured in our Newsletter )
Please spread the word to other Lovers of Scotland
One of the top UK routes for January traversing is a well-loved hiking trail in the Highlands of Scotland, as revealed in a recent compilation by outdoor experts showcasing their preferred winter hiking destinations throughout the country.
In today’s email:
- Glencoe’s Aonach Eagach Crowned Among Top UK Hiking Trails for January
- Glencoe | The Heart Of The Scottish Highlands
- Collect your gift! – A Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
- Around the Web: Seven Scottish castles you can stay in just like The Traitors, Glasgow health board advises ‘penguin walk’ to avoid slips in icy conditions, Edinburgh For The Art Lover and more
- From Social Media – Scott’s View, Scottish Borders
- Scottish Food You Will Love – Cranachan – The Most Scottish Desert Ever
- Coo Wee – Glasgow shoppers ‘brought to tears’ as elderly couple break out in ‘beautiful’ dance
Our Daily Newsletter is free and will remain free for our loyal followers forever.. ( if you are not subscribed then just enter your email below) But as they say in the infomercials, that’s not all.. For less than the price of a wee dram, you can upgrade to our premium Newsletter which will give you access to our archive of travel deep dives, travel itineraries as well as special deals curated for our premium subscribers. So consider buying us a drink and upgrading to get all the goodies.
Glencoe’s Aonach Eagach Crowned Among Top UK Hiking Trails for January
This Scottish location, situated near the village of Glencoe, shares the spotlight with other renowned spots like The Glyderau in Eryri (Snowdonia), Wales.
Glencoe | The Heart Of The Scottish Highlands
Collect your gift!
Get Your Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
Around The Web
Fly Fishing in Scotland with Al Peake of Twin Peakes
Snow and ice warnings extended across UK as country braces for big freeze
Celtic star takes dip in freezing sea wearing just shorts as fans ask ‘Scotland not cold enough for y…
Seven Scottish castles you can stay in just like The Traitors
Perfect for a truly Traitors-inspired getaway.
Travel experts reveal their golden rules for driving in ice and snow
Traitors Tour offers adventure in show’s Scottish surroundings
Cheers to Scotland’s new Port of Leith Distillery
Steve McKenna meets Scotland’s newest whisky maker.
Edinburgh Airport to be bought by BlackRock
Glasgow health board advises ‘penguin walk’ to avoid slips in icy conditions
Hit musical Burlesque is coming to Glasgow with tickets on sale next week
Iconic Sopranos hit song inspired by Glasgow hardmen and crime families
The story of Glasgow’s third oldest park – named after a Scottish heroine
This Glasgow park is full of history dating back centuries and is named after a Scottish heroine.
Edinburgh For The Art Lover
From Social Media
Ready to plan your Scotland trip?
Start with our Planning Hub — itineraries, budgets, accommodation, and everything you need. Subscribe for weekly Scotland travel guides delivered free.
South Scotland has been named as one of Lonely Planet ‘Best in Travel’ destinations for 2023
Scott’s View, Scottish Borders
Credit: – Instagram.com/cairnrae
Scottish Food You Will Love
Cranachan – The Most Scottish Desert Ever
Coo Wee
Glasgow shoppers ‘brought to tears’ as elderly couple break out in ‘beautiful’ dance
Thank you for reading Love Scotland— your support allows us to keep doing this work.
If you enjoy Love Scotland, it would mean the world to us if you invited friends to subscribe and read with us. If you refer friends, you will receive benefits that give you special access to Love Scotland
Our Daily Newsletter is free and will remain free for our loyal followers forever.. ( if you are not subscribed then just enter your email below) But as they say in the infomercials, that’s not all.. For less than the price of a wee dram, you can upgrade to our premium Newsletter which will give you access to our archive of travel deep dives, travel itineraries as well as special deals curated for our premium subscribers. So consider buying us a drink and upgrading to get all the goodies
Essentials you need to pack for your Scotland Trip
Need more inspiration?
43,000 Scotland lovers can’t be wrong.
Every week, our free newsletter delivers hidden Highland gems, seasonal travel guides, local stories, and practical tips — straight to your inbox. Join the community that loves Scotland as much as you do.
FREE GUIDE: 25 Hidden Gems of Scotland That Most Tourists Never Find (PDF)
Download our free Scotland Travel Guide (PDF)
Love Scotland?
Get the best of Scotland delivered to your inbox every week — free.
Join 43,000+ readers. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
A Traveller’s Perspective
The Aonach Eagach in Glencoe is not a casual walk. It is a serious ridge traverse and one of the most exposed hiking routes on the British mainland. The scrambling sections require you to use your hands, and in places there are steep drops on both sides. If you have a head for heights and experience on exposed ridges, it is one of the most exhilarating days you can have in Scotland. If you do not, it could be one of the most frightening.
This route is for experienced hill walkers only. Check the weather forecast on the Mountain Weather Information Service and do not attempt it in high winds, rain, or poor visibility. The traverse runs east to west and takes most people six to eight hours. Start early. Bring a helmet if you have one — there is loose rock in places. The descent at the western end down to the Clachaig Inn is steep and brutal on the knees. Leave a car at the inn or arrange a lift back to your start point.
On the Aonach Eagach, the ridge narrows to a point where you can see down into Glencoe on one side and Loch Leven on the other. The wind funnels along the crest and pulls at your jacket. The rock under your hands is rough gabbro, cold and solid. Below, the valley floor is a patchwork of green and brown, with the River Coe threading through it like a silver wire. Your breathing is loud in your own ears. Every footstep matters. It is terrifying and magnificent in equal measure.
🏴️ You Might Also Love
🏴️ Join 43,000+ Scotland Lovers
Every weekday morning, get Scotland’s hidden castles, whisky secrets, and Highland travel inspiration — the kind you won’t find in any guidebook.
Love more? Join 65,000 Ireland lovers → · Join 30,000 Italy lovers → · Join 7,000 France lovers →
Free forever · Fresh stories, Mon–Fri · Unsubscribe anytime