Glen Croe (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann a' Chrò) is a glen in the heart of the Arrochar Alps on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The glen is surrounded by large and rugged mountains characterised by huge boulders. The glen is within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.[1]

Glen Croe
Glen Croe, viewed from Rest and Be Thankful.
Highest point
Coordinates56°12′00″N 4°49′59″W / 56.200°N 4.833°W / 56.200; -4.833 grid reference NN2304007297
Geography
LocationCowal, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
CountryScotland
Geology
Mountain typeGlen
Engraving of the cavern in Glen Croe Plate from Scotia Depicta by James Fittler

Geography edit

Glen Croe is located to the north west of Loch Lomond and Loch Long, draining into the latter. At the head of the glen is the pass leading to Glen Kinglas. The A83 road runs the length of the glen, passing the viewpoint known as Rest & Be Thankful. Glen Croe is situated entirely within the Argyll Forest Park in Cowal.[2][3] The glen is also within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.[1]

The mountains on either side are:

 
Steep wooded slopes of Glen Croe.

History edit

The old road through the glen seen in the photograph is part of the military road that ran from Dumbarton to Inveraray. This was built in the 1740s under the supervision of Major William Caulfeild. A stone inscribed Rest & Be Thankful was erected around 1749, after this section of road was completed.

From 1949 until 1970, motor racing events, including hill climbs and rally stages took place here.[4]

Gilleasbaig Mac an t-Saoir composed a song called 'Oran Ghlinne Chro', detailing the sadness he felt when the gamekeeper moved his flock out of the glen to make room for deer and sport hunting in 1914.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "Argyll Forest Park - Forestry Commission Scotland". Scotland.forestry.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Glen Croe in Cowal". Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Rest & be Thankful". Scotland from the Roadside. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2009.

External links edit