Glencoe teacher information

With its origins on the sea floor of a tropical ocean, around 400 million years ago, the Glencoe area became a seething cauldron of volcanic activity as tectonic plates collided. Over the last 1 million years, glaciers have come and gone, further shaping the landscape that we see today.

Glencoe’s geological journey has created an incredible variety of rock types and soils, which support a wide range of habitats and wildlife, from the mountain summit down to sea level.

Over the past 5,000 years, people have lived in and changed Glencoe’s landscape, making their lives in often challenging conditions, bringing agriculture, forestry, politics, a distinctive Gaelic culture, and, more recently, tourism and outdoor pursuits. This is an ideal place to discover the richness of Highland history, archaeology, nature and environmental issues.

Facilities

Set amongst beautiful native woodland and surrounded by magnificent mountains, Glencoe Visitor Centre is an inspirational and informative gateway to the Glen, offering:

• An interactive exhibition focusing on geology, wildlife, history and caring for Glencoe National Nature Reserve.
• 60-seat cinema playing ‘The Glen Revealed’, a journey through millions of years of stories in just 10 minutes.
• The 17th-century turf and creel house reconstruction gives a feel for life in Glencoe at the time of the infamous massacre of 1692.
• Green-roof gazebo, an undercover learning and lunching space.
• Learning room, great for indoor educational activities.
• Toilets, café and shop.

The Visitor Centre is a starting point for a variety of short, low-level walks, including:

• 1.5km (45min) circular walk through among the trees, home to pine martens, roe deer and red squirrels, via the ruins of Inverrigan, one of the locations of the infamous Glencoe Massacre.
• 5km (1hr 30min) Glencoe Greenway, all-ability trail suitable for walking, wheeling or cycling – this out-and-back route can be explored as far or as little time allows. It passes the long-lost historic township of Achnacon, another location of the Glencoe Massacre, before reaching the Allt na Muidhe river and continuing to An Torr woodland, where it connects with paths into the heart of the Glen.

Topics

Our schools programme offers a variety of activities, led by our Ranger Service and our Engagement team. There are many opportunities for cross-curricular work and links to the Curriculum for Excellence:

• Habitats and wildlife
• Geology and climate
• Highland history and Gaelic culture
• Outdoor activities and responsible access
• Environmental management and nature conservation

Primary, secondary and further education groups are welcome – please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Resources for schools

• An illustrated guidebook is available on request (cost £5 plus p&p).
• Information is available for groups wishing to undertake Duke of Edinburgh’s Award explorations or expeditions in this area.

Planning your class visit

• To book: please email glencoe@nts.org.uk for a booking form. Please discuss your needs with staff when making your booking.
• Book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Glencoe is open for educational visits at any time during visitor centre opening hours. These vary according to the time of year – please visit the Glencoe webpage for more details.
• Certain times of year work better for certain topics – eg butterflies in spring and summer only. Please bear this in mind when planning your visit.
• Maximum class size: numbers, and the ratio of teachers/adults to pupils, can vary according to the activity booked. The education room has a maximum capacity of 55 (sitting theatre-style) and can easily accommodate smaller groups. For guided walks around the woodlands, the usual group size is a maximum of 20 – with a preferred ratio of 1 adult/teacher for 10 children.
• Access: The visitor centre is fully accessible, as is the viewing platform (located just outside the centre). Please contact us to discuss your requirements. You can also view our detailed accessibility guide for more information.
• Parking: coaches must park in the coach park. Pupils then walk the short distance (100m) from there to the visitor centre. For the health and safety of all visitors, please do not park the coach at the visitor centre entrance.
• Toilets: there are fully accessible toilets, one by the café and one by the main toilet block at the visitor centre.
• Refreshments: there’s a café on site, and food or packed lunches can be arranged in advance. There’s also a small picnic area in the car park.
• The site has been risk assessed. Teachers are expected to prepare their own risk assessment for the visit.

Charges

• For the latest charges, please contact the property.
• Charges vary depending on the activity booked.
• Class teachers are encouraged to make a free preparatory visit to the site.

During your class visit

• On arrival: your class will be met by a ranger under the visitor centre entrance canopy and led to the education room.
• Trust staff will lead the school programme.
• For the programme, your class will normally be split into two groups, with one group touring the exhibition and the other going for a walk with the ranger; the groups then swap. This arrangement may vary depending on the size of your group and can be confirmed at time of booking.
• Teachers are responsible for their pupils and their behaviour.
• Pupils don’t need to bring any materials for the school programme.
• Pupils/teachers may take photos in the education room and outside on the property.
• Coats and bags can be left in the education room (please confirm at time of booking).
• Wet weather shelter is available in the education room (please confirm at time of booking).
• Shop: pupils are welcome to visit the shop. For the health and safety of all visitors, a maximum of 6 pupils may visit the shop at any one time.

“Duror Primary School had a great visit to the Glencoe Visitor Centre. The whole class enjoyed the practical, hands-on activities, and the eye-opening scavenger hunt through the woodland around the visitor centre is still talked about!” Headteacher, Duror Primary School