The Grand Waterfalls and Mountains of Glencoe Adventure March 2026 - Part Two: The Art of Getting Side-Tracked and a Conversation with Frogs

If Day One was about the "Quest," Day Two was about the "Drift."

After a night of sleep so deep I think I may have actually become part of the mattress at the Clachaig Inn, I fuelled up on a legendary Full Scottish Breakfast, and had enough energy to power Dezzy Bee halfway to Fort William. The plan? More water, more light, and absolutely no rush.

The River Coe Morning Light

I started with another walk to the River Coe Falls. The sun was playing ball, hitting the water at just the right angle for the M100. I even managed to get Bob Mini airborne for some elevated shots. It’s amazing how much more confident you feel when the sun is out and the wind isn't trying to slap your drone into the side of a Munro.

The iWander Quest: Into the Gorge

Inspired by Stuart McQuillan (iWander Photography), I headed along the A82 to track down a specific hidden gem near the Allt an t-Seanmhuir burn. The hike past the Coffin Cairn to the Old Military Road was a bit of a lung-opener, and the gorge itself was......well, "treacherous" is the polite word.

I followed the burn into the deep, rocky cleft, but the main falls required a level of rock-scrambling that suggested I might end up as a mountain rescue headline. I took the "Tactical Patience" route instead - climbing the hill to look down into the gorge. The view of the cascades from above was a spectacular reward for not breaking an ankle.

The Old Military Road & The Frog Chorus

I then took s walk along the Old Military Road and it was pure, unadulterated bliss. 360-degree views and not a soul in sight - except for the locals. I found several puddles absolutely teeming with frogspawn. I’ll admit, I stopped for a few "in-depth" conversations with the frogs. They didn't have much to say about my shutter speed settings, but they seemed like good listeners.

Two Hours at The Study

I eventually reached The Study, the famous rocky outcrop overlooking the Meeting of the Three Waters. I sat there for nearly two hours. Just sitting. No camera in my face, no checking the time. My chaotic mind finally went quiet. If you ever need to remember what "happy" feels like, find a rock in Glencoe and stay there until the mountains start to feel like old friends.

The Secret Find and the Sisters

On the drive towards Loch Achtriochtan, I experienced what I can only call the "Glencoe Side-Track." I spotted a waterfall just off the road that I’d never truly noticed before.

I pulled Dezzy Bee over and headed up. It was a spectacular find - a hidden cascade that seemed to have missed the memo about being a "famous" location. I haven’t seen many photographs of it elsewhere, though in a place as iconic as this, I’m sure a few eagle-eyed locals know it. Capturing something that felt mine for a moment was a real highlight; it wasn't about the "perfect shot" everyone else has, but about the joy of discovery.

Then, just as the day was waning, the light hit the Coire nan Lochan between two of the Three Sisters (Aonach Dubh and Gearr Aonach). I scrambled across the River Coe to catch the last of the golden hour. The M100 was working overtime, but the results were worth every soggy step.

Back to the Sanctuary

I finished the day back at the Clachaig Inn. If a meal is perfect, why change it? I had exactly the same game casserole as the night before. Yes, I checked for lead shot again (it’s part of the fun now).

I went back to my room, got my legs into bed, feeling more relaxed than I have in years. Skye might be beautiful, but staying put in Glencoe was the best decision I’ve made in a long time. My mind was calm, and for a 60-year-old Peter Pan, that’s the real win.