Aonach Dubh a' Ghlinne

About Aonach Dubh a' Ghlinne

Formidable and brooding, this high point of the famous 'Three Sisters' offers a commanding perspective over Glen Coe. Characterised by its dark, craggy north face and steep, grassy eastern slopes, the summit reward is a dramatic, plunging view directly down onto the A82 and the winding River Coe far below.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is Gaelic for 'Black Ridge of the Glen', an apt description for its dark, shadowed appearance when viewed from the floor of Glen Coe, where its massive volcanic cliffs dominate the northern skyline.
• •It forms the westernmost of the 'Three Sisters', the iconic ridges of the Bidean nam Bian massif. It is bounded by the steep-sided hanging valley of Coire nan Lochan and the narrow, rocky pass of Glen Coe itself.
• •The summit provides a spectacular vantage point across the glen to the notched silhouette of the Aonach Eagach ridge and down the length of Loch Achtriochtan toward the sea at Loch Leven.
• •The northern face contains the legendary Ossian's Cave. While it looks like an inviting opening from the road, reaching it requires a serious rock climb, and the 'cave' is actually a shallow, damp recess rather than a comfortable dwelling for a Celtic bard.
• •While thousands of tourists photograph this peak daily from the roadside, very few actually set foot on the summit, largely because the ascent involves a relentless, calf-burning slope that quickly cures any casual enthusiasm.