Travel Notes on the Three Sisters of Glencoe Valley | Traveling among legends and clouds
#AprilGoodDestinations2025
#Scotland
The Scottish Highlands, a place blown by the wind for thousands of years. Our destination this time is Glencoe, and the protagonist of our trip, the Three Sisters, is not only a geographical landmark, but also a place that contains stories.
First arrival at Glencoe | Gazing at the mysterious grandeur
The moment the car turned into Glencoe Valley, it felt like entering a huge oil painting. The three peaks standing beside the valley - Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach and Aonach Dubh - are like giants that have been guarding the valley for thousands of years, gazing at it silently and solemnly. The locals call them "Three Sisters", and there is an ancient and touching legend behind this name.
The legendary three sisters｜Whispers of time and wind
Legend has it that in the distant past three beautiful Highland maidens lived in this valley. They are the daughters of the tribal chief, with different personalities but deep feelings for each other. The eldest sister is brave and resolute, the second sister is wise and gentle, and the third sister is innocent and pure.
One year, a war broke out between tribes and the enemy was approaching. In order to protect his three daughters, the chief prayed to the mountain god to turn them into mountains to guard the land. From then on, the three sisters turned into mountains, watching over the clouds, fog and snow of Glencoe day and night, and witnessing the flow of history and the separation and reunion of the human world.
Walking on the mountain path, when the wind blows, you can seem to hear their whispers.
Hiking journey｜One step, one view, step into the legend
We started from the valley floor and set out on the hiking trail to Beinn Fhada. The mountain path was a little slippery after the rain, but the air was exceptionally fresh. Wild flowers on the hillside are quietly blooming, sheep are grazing leisurely, and the sky occasionally casts cloud shadows, making the entire valley seem to be breathing.
On the way, I stopped and looked up at the outlines of the Three Sisters Mountains - they are not symmetrical, but each has its own temperament: Beinn Fhada is broad and strong, like the steady shoulders of the eldest sister; Gearr Aonach has soft lines, like the wise eyes of the middle sister; and Aonach Dubh, the darkest side, is like the dreams and secrets of the third sister.
View from the top of the mountain｜A moment when time stands still
When we finally reached the ridge, the clouds in the sky dissipated, the sun briefly shone in the valley, and the whole Glencoe was like a sleeping giant awakening.