Wednesday July 15th 2026
The view from The Cairn looking north into Glencoe Glen
This View has been written by Joe Gilhooley LRPS Award winning and Licentaite of The Royal Photographic Society from Loanhead
Many know that I love Scottish Landscape Photography. I watch the weather forecast for days in advance daily. Watching for clear sky days with hopefully little wind. Ringing days in my diary.
I have had one scenic Scottish landscape location in mind for about two years. Either the weather has not been right when I was free. Or, on other occasions, I have arrived there and not found a parking space. Frustrating. Area is popular with Mountaineers.
I am talking about the Ralston Cairn in Glencoe Glen.
A wee bit history:
The Ralston Cairn is dedicated to Ralston Claud Muir, a train driver on the West Highland Line and avid hiker, especially within the Glencoe Glen.
Sadly Ralston fell ill on Christmas day 1999 and died 16 days later on the 10th of January 2000 from multiple organ failure caused by Leukaemia, a rare form of cancer. He was only 32 years old.
The Glencoe Glen was his favourite place to hike; his friends and brother Trevor/family saw it fit to erect an everlasting monument to his memory. His ashes are also interred at this spot.
His friends and family still visit the monument, often with a wee dram of whisky to toast to his memory.
While the Cairn itself is not on a formally named mountain, it offers panoramic views of these iconic Glencoe mountains and the valley glen below, making it a popular spot for hikers and photographers.
It stands on the lower slopes below Am Bodach, on the Aonach Eagach ridge, beside the Old Military Road in the Pass of Glencoe. With a spectacular view to the North into Glencoe Glen. The best view is of the notable peaks of the Three Sisters and the Bidean Nam Bian range.
Monday 13 th July 2026 showed the perfect weather conditions for my planned visit to Glencoe. I set off from Loanhead, Midlothian at 4am . Arriving in Glencoe at The Three Waterfalls carpark layby on the A82 about 7.30am. I got the lone parking space just north of this layby. Where I needed to park. A good start finding the parking space.
I set off with my heavy camera bag, lenses and tripod. Climbing the old Military Road onto below where I anticipated the Ralston Cairn to be, It was well hidden until I was within metres of it on the edge of the crag. Last 50 metres were a tough climb.
Oh just wow !! what a view I was met with. Weather in early morning had a blue sky. The heat haze had not yet developed. Perfect.
Looking north into Glencoe Glen. The Three Sisters Mountains were on my left. They were majestic and looked so powerful.
The Ralston Cairn is in the prime position for this view.
I set up my tripod and camera. Taking a series of images. I have to say. It was worth the wait. I punched the air at what has to be the most beautiful Scottish Landscape view I have witnessed in my photography travels.
The photo here might not do the view justice. I stood there proud and in awe. I knew I had to drag myself away. I could have stayed there for hours watching it all.
Some readers may have witnessed this view from The Ralston Cairn. I wonder if any had such perfect weather there to take a photo ? I was so lucky, but planning went into the day.
I was done by 10.30am. The heat haze was arriving. Home in Loanhead so happy by 2pm. Itching to get my photos onto laptop.
Now, where do I find a Scottish Landscape location to better the one from The Ralston Cairn?
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