Glen Etive (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Èite) is a glen in the Scottish Highlands. The River Etive (Scottish Gaelic: Abhainn Èite) rises on the peaks surrounding Rannoch Moor, with several tributary streams coming together at the Kings House Hotel,[1] at the head of Glen Coe. From the Kings House, the Etive flows for about 18 kilometres (11 miles), reaching Loch Etive, a sea loch.[2]
At the north end of Glen Etive lie the two mountains known as the "Herdsmen of Etive": Buachaille Etive Mòr and Buachaille Etive Beag. Other peaks accessible from the Glen include Ben Starav, located near the head of Loch Etive, and Beinn Fhionnlaidh on the northern side of the glen. The scenic beauty of the glen has led to its inclusion the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area,[3] one of 40 such areas in Scotland.[4]
A narrow road from the Kings House Hotel runs down the glen, serving several houses and farms, from which stags can be seen.[5] The area is home to a herd of Scottish red deer that have become accustomed to the presence of humans.[6]
The River Etive is one of Scotland's most popular and challenging white water kayaking runs. It provides a multitude of solid Grade 4(5) rapids with a variety of falls and pool drops.[7]
Mythology
In the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, the tragic heroine Deirdre and her love Naoise founded Glen Etive after fleeing Ulster.[8]
The Fachen is also known as the Dwarf of Glen Etive.[9]
Movie location
Glen Etive has been used as the backdrop to many movies, among them Braveheart, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Skyfall.[10] The resulting influx of visitors has led to concerns about the spoilage of the glen through littering and fly-tipping.[10]
Footnotes
- ^ "Glen Etive". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
- ^ "Loch Etive". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Map: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. December 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- ^ "National Scenic Areas". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "10 of the best things to see and do in Glencoe". Oh what aknight. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Young Scottish photographer captures magical image of girl hand-feeding wild deer in Glen Etive". Daily Record. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "River Etive - Triple Falls to the Allt A'Chaorainn". UK Rivers Guidebook. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Deirdre and the Sons of Uisneach". The Hazel Tree. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ Àndraa (9 February 2017). "Glen Etive". outsideofthewell. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Skyfall location despolied by fly tippers". The Guardian. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
56°36′4″N 5°0′21″W / 56.60111°N 5.00583°W / 56.60111; -5.00583
