Best Driving Route - Edinburgh to Inverness

I personally don't enjoy driving in Glasgow. There's a busy motorway pretty close to the centre of the city, with lots of exits that can be confusing even for those used to driving here. Are you simply passing through Glasgow on the way to Loch Lomond or are you stopping off there? There are actually not that many options for the route you suggest as your route takes you through the Highlands where the roads are restricted by lots of mountains. So a route would likely be as follows:

Edinburgh to Glasgow via the motorway M8.
Glasgow to Loch Lomond via the M8, M898 (Erskine Bridge) and then the A82.
Then on to Glencoe - still on the A82.
Then on to Fort William - still on the A82.
To Skye from Fort William. You have options,

1) the A82 and A87 to the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh
2) the A830 from Fort William to Mallaig where you get the calmac ferry to Armadale in Skye. This must be booked in advance via the Calmac website.

3) the A82 and A87 as far as Shiel Bridge, from where you would take the minor (but very scenic) road to Glenelg and the historic turntable ferry to Skye - landing in Kylerhea. Not bookable but check in advance to ensure it is running.

After Skye, there are two routes to Inverness
1) The A87 and A82, using the bridge to leave Skye and turning on to the A82 at Invermoriston. This route takes you alongside Loch Ness.
2) The A87, then A890, A832, A835 and A9 to Inverness. This is known locally as the northern route. This route brings you to Inverness via the Kessock Bridge and would be the more convenient way to get to the airport. It's a very scenic drive and my preferred way to get to Inverness.

As to your question of where to stay. I'd suggest 1 night in or near Fort William and 2 nights in Skye - which is a large island and well worth exploring (I would say that - I live in Skye!).

Hope that's a start.

Jacqui (Skyegirl)

Dear Jacqui (Skyegirl),

Thank you so much for your detailed route suggestions and accommodation advice! Your insights about avoiding Glasgow's city center driving are invaluable, and we completely agree with prioritizing the Highlands' scenic routes.

​Key Follow-Up Questions:​​

​• Glasgow Logistics:​​
We'll be spending ​1 night in Glasgow​ before picking up the rental car. Would you recommend:
Staying near the city center for easier public transport access?
Or opting for a hotel closer to the M8 motorway (e.g., near Erskine Bridge) to streamline our morning drive to Loch Lomond?
​• Fort William → Skye Route:​​
We'll take the ​A830 to Mallaig​ specifically to ride the ​Jacobite Steam Train​ through Glenfinnan Viaduct – this is the exact location where the Hogwarts Express crosses the iconic bridge

​Additional Concerns:​​
• Are there any seasonal closures or weather-related disruptions we should anticipate for the A830/Mallaig route in June?
• Would you recommend breaking the Fort William → Skye drive with a stop at Nevis Range or Corrieshalloch Gorge?

Thank you again for sharing your local expertise – your guidance is shaping an unforgettable Scottish adventure!

Warm regards,
Robin

Personally I would pick up the rental car at Glasgow airport. If you do that then you could stay in a city centre hotel and get the airport bus out to collect your car. Or you could explore Glasgow during the day and then take an evening bus out to the airport (or taxi) and then stay at the airport, before collecting your car early in the morning and getting on the road. I usually stay in the Holiday Inn Express at the airport. There is also a Marriott Courtyard, a Premier Inn (not that nice) and a regular Holiday Inn.

​
You'll need to check nearer the time whether the Jacobite Express is running in 2026. Tickets not yet on sale (due to be Nov 2025). If for some reason they don't run in 2026 (they had licence problems in the past due to door safety concerns I think), then you can get a regular train on the same line. I believe the steam trains only run return journeys from Fort William to Mallaig. So you can't book a single or a return from Mallaig to Fort William and back. So if you want to ride the steam train you will need to park up in Fort William - take the train to Mallaig and back to Fort William and then continue your journey to Skye either via Mallaig and the ferry to Armadale or by road via the A82 and A87 and using the Skye Bridge. The drive to Skye from Fort William using the bridge takes about 3 hours. In terms of overnight stops you will want one night on the way from Glasgow to Skye, and Fort William is the obvious place as there are more lodging choices there.

As for weather. It's unlikely there would be any road or ferry closures in June - but you can never be certain. Scottish weather is predictably unpredictable!

With the steam train,if you take the morning service at 1015 you don't get back to Fort William until just after 4 pm, if the afternoon train you get back at about 7pm.

So however you configure it, it is a long day of starting from Glasgow, and ending the day in Skye.

Several times this long hot summer steam has had to be substituted with diesel due to the fire risk, including currently apparently.
The normal service train leaves Fort William just after noon and gets back at 5.30 pm, so better timings.

Good point Stuart! I have edited my reply to suggest a night in Fort William on the way from Glasgow to Skye.

Hi isn31c & Skyegirl,

Thank you so much for your detailed advice—we truly appreciate your local insights and tips for navigating Scotland’s Highlands and railways. They’ve been incredibly helpful as we finalize our itinerary. We still have a few specific questions we hope you (or other forum friends) could shed light on:

1. Glasgow Accommodation & Logistics
   We plan to spend 3 days exploring Edinburgh first, then take the train to Glasgow. We’d like to stay ​1 night in Glasgow​ before picking up our rental car the next morning. This is primarily for convenience: storing luggage, exploring the city at a relaxed pace, and ensuring we’re fresh to collect the car early. Do you have recommendations for areas or specific accommodations in Glasgow that work well for this? We’re looking for something central (with easy access to public transit or walking to key sights) and ideally with luggage storage options if we arrive before check-in.

2. Post-Glenfinnan Viaduct Route to Skye
   We’ve decided to skip riding the Jacobite Steam Train (time constraints) but still want to watch the steam trains thunder over ​Glenfinnan Viaduct—it’s a must-see for our Harry Potter fans. After viewing the trains, what’s the most scenic and practical self-drive route to Skye from Fort William? We want to balance stunning views (coastal, mountain, or both!) with efficient travel time. Should we take the A830 to Mallaig first, or head straight to the Skye Bridge via A82/A87? Any hidden viewpoints or short stops we shouldn’t miss along the way?

3. Accommodation Recommendations (6 Adults, Budget:​​ £35/person)
   We’re a group of 6 adults and need cozy but spacious places to stay in three key spots:
   Glasgow (1 night):​​ Prioritizes convenience (sightseeing, luggage storage, rental car pickup point) , Fort William (1 night), Portree (2 nights)​​

Thanks again for your help—we’re so excited to experience Scotland’s magic, and your advice is making this trip feel more real every day.

Warm regards,
Robin

With a budget of £35 per person for a hotel, at Fort William I would be looking at the sleeping car at Glenfinnan station, or the bunkhouse at Mallaig.
I don't know what Jacqui's thoughts are on Skye, but my immediate thoughts are Saucy Mary's or the Dunollie Hotel at Broadford. There are also some glamping pods at Broadford.
I'm sure Jacqui will have more thoughtful ideas.
Glasgow is easy -any of the City Centre Premier Inns should be in budget, and I'm loath to split hairs between them.
To me the obvious choice of route to Skye from Glenfinnan is the Mallaig to Armadale ferry. On the way look at the beaches at Morar/Arisaig.
At Arisaig see also the Land, Sea and Islands Centre, the memorial to Czech special forces in WW2, also the memorials to the UK SOE (who trained here in WW2) at Traigh House and at the Arisaig House Hotel.
At Kyleakin (when returning over the bridge) take a walk up 'The Lump' and see Gavin Maxwell's island under the bridge. At the Kyle see about taking a glass bottomed boat trip on the Seaprobe Atlantis.

If Glasgow is a must for you, then you could , depending on budget, look at a stay in the Sherbrooke Castle hotel in the leafy southside, lovely area.You are then a two minute walk to the train station at Dumbreck and 6 min ride into the city centre.It also puts you outside the very busy city centre with free parking and an easy 5 min drive to the M8 motorway on residential roads.

I live in `Glasgow so haven't stayed in the hotel but know it quite well.You are also very close to Pollok Country Park and the wonderful House for an Art Lover (free parking), a stunning Mackintosh building with a good, attractive cafe too.

Fort William isn’t the loveliest of towns but it does have plenty of amenities -restaurants, shops, good bookshop and the surrounding landscape is lovely across the loch and with Ben Nevis behind.Glencoe itself is an option if you look at The Kingshouse but it stands all on its own so no amenities beyond the hotel restaurant and bar, unless you want to drive 10 mins to other eating out options.It stands in a magnificent location on the moorland with fantastic mountain panoramas all round.For which, it is charging regather a lot of money, so again - depends on budget.
The Clachaig in `Glencoe, in another fine location,also does accommodation but has a busy hikers pub feel to it.Live music regularly.There are some nice B&B options on the booking/Airbnb sites.

Robin, if seeing the steam train cross the Glenfinnan viaduct is important, be sure to allow plenty of time. Arrive early because parking is extremely limited!!!

From Glenfinnan continue on to Maillig to get to Skye. You'll need to reserve space on the Maillig to Armadale ferry for both your car and the passengers.

On accommodation I think the main issue is going to be your budget. £35 per person per night will not get you anything on Skye except perhaps a bunk in a really grotty hostel. Even a camping pod is upwards of £120 per night to sleep two people. You might - just might - find a self catering AirBnb with room for 6 people for £210 per night - but it's going to be basic and you need to be searching now. I just checked the Portree Hostel for one night in June next year for 6 people and it's coming back at a total of £328 per night for 6 people which far exceeds your budget and it's very basic accommodation in bunk beds. The Broadford Backpacker Hostel has twin rooms with shared bathroom for £149.50 in June 2026. Or beds in a 6 bed mixed gender dormitory for £46.25 per night. So your £35 per person is just not going to get you even a bed in a hostel in Skye. Sorry - but that's just how it is here.

In Fort William even the Premier Inn is going to be more than £70 per room in June. Probably at least double that and maybe even more.

Glasgow city centre is not my area of expertise as I always use the Holiday Inn Express at the airport. Even that would exceed £70 in summer.

For getting to Skye I would recommend seeing the trains at Glenfinnan and then taking the ferry from Mallaig, but as I've already said you will need a reservation on the ferry. It's a very scenic drive.