Scotland, renowned for its rugged landscapes and rich cultural heritage, holds within its embrace a geological wonder that has captivated travelers and scientists alike for centuries – the Great Glen. This arrow-straight glen, cutting diagonally across the Scottish Highlands, is a testament to the Earth’s tumultuous history and the forces that have shaped our planet.
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Great Glen Facts
Spanning 55 miles (88 km) from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea, the Great Glen is a geological marvel. Ribbon-shaped lochs – Ness, Oich, and Lochy – fill the glen’s floor, creating a waterway that effectively isolates the northern part of Scotland from the mainland. The mountains that flank the glen rise abruptly, their slopes transitioning from lush woodland to heather-covered hillsides and, finally, to barren alpine peaks where only the hardiest of plants can survive.
The Great Glen’s story stretches back over 350 million years, to a time when colossal upheavals in the Earth’s crust led to the creation of the Great Glen fault. This fault, still active today, has shaped the landscape of the glen and the surrounding area. The movement of rocks along the fault has caused minor earthquakes, and the worst on record, in 1816, sent slates falling from roofs in Inverness, at the northern end of the glen.
During the Ice Ages, glaciers filled the glen, their slow movement acting like sandpaper, gouging away at the valley sides and floor. This glacial action created the steep hillsides that contribute to the glen’s grandeur. The glen’s strategic importance has been recognized for centuries, with the English building forts to control the turbulent Highland clans. Fort William, Fort Augustus, and Fort George are enduring reminders of this turbulent past.
Great Glen Legacy
In the early 19th century, the construction of the Caledonian Canal sought to encourage trade and boost the economy of the Highlands. This canal connected the lochs, providing ships with a trade route that avoided the long and dangerous journey around Scotland’s north coast. The Caledonian Canal was a monumental engineering feat, taking 18 years to construct under the direction of the engineer Thomas Telford. Today, it remains a vital artery for the region’s economy and a popular destination for tourists.
The Great Glen’s wildlife is as diverse as its landscape. Wildcats and pine martens, once scarce, are now more common, and red squirrels, nearly exterminated in the 19th century, thrive in pine forests. The lochs are home to Scottish otters, and the rare osprey, after a long absence, is once again seen soaring above the glen.
One aspect of the Great Glen’s wildlife has captured the public’s imagination for centuries – the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as “Nessie.” Since the 1930s, when the road along the loch’s western shore opened, dozens of people have claimed to have seen Nessie. Despite numerous investigations, using hot-air balloons, searchlights, submarines, and sonar scans, Nessie remains elusive, adding to the allure and mystery of the Great Glen.
Great Glen’s rugged beauty, rich history, and abundant wildlife make it a prime attraction for tourists and scientists alike. Whether you’re exploring its waters by boat, hiking its hillsides, or simply admiring its majestic beauty, the Great Glen is a place that will leave a lasting impression on anyone fortunate enough to experience it.