Fort William -> Kyleakin -> Elgol -> Broadford -> Ferry

I assume you’ve checked the Stagecoach website here to check that the journeys you want to make are actually possible?
The best thing to do in Elgol would be a boat trip with either Bella Jane or Misty Isle. They do a run into Loch Coruisk, you might not have time to do the version where you get off of the boat and spend some time at Loch Coruisk, but even the ‘out and back’ journey is spectacular and has wildlife spotting opportunities.

For hikes check out Walk Highland

Thank you for the suggestion! I did look at the #55 bus, and I think I'm interpreting it correctly to mean that in July, which is during school holidays, the first bus from Kyleakin to Elgol is at 11:55 arriving just before 1pm, and the last bus leaving Elgol for Broadford is at 16:30. That means I might have time for the Bella Jane "mini return trip" at 2pm, which sounds really nice!

It would be great to know more about taxis in the area and about the possibility of walking part of the way along the bus route, since some of the bus departures go part of the way but not all the way between the towns.

Yes those bus times are correct.

Next day it's the 0950 from Broadford to Armadale arrive 1020, then any ferry over, as the next train is at 1605.

If you get the next ferry over then, Monday to Friday, there is a bus from Mallaig at 1210 to Fort William, then pick up the train at Fort William. That bus would allow you time to break your journey in Glenfinnan, then either a later bus to FW, or pick up the train at Glenfinnan.

Thank you! I already booked a ferry from Armadale to Mallaigh just before noon and a train from Mallaigh to Edinburgh, which leaves at 4pm. I am just hoping that the local busses are reliable so that I'm certain to catch the ferry, because I heard somewhere that the local busses can sometimes be unreliable.

Hi, my ferry just got moved, so now I’m concerned I don’t have any good options. I was taking a bus from Broadford to armadale, arriving 10:20, to board the ferry at 11:45. The ferry just got moved to 10:30 so I can’t make it. I can change to the 2:30 ferry, but then I arrive at 3 and my train to Erin departs at 4, so there’s not much room for delays. I’m wondering if I have to get a taxi from Broadford to armadale to get to the earlier ferry now.

Oh dear, breakdowns elsewhere on the network, one ship has vanished off to Leverburgh in the Outer Hebrides, so down to a single ship operation- https://www.calmac.co.uk/service-status#/service-status/033/sailings

On those timings this must be Tuesday 28 July, so the 2.30 sailing will arrive at Mallaig at 3.00 (she will have been waiting at Armadale since 1.35. It is 5 minutes walk from ferry terminal to Mallaig Railway Station for the 4.05 train. So something drastic would have to happen to delay the afternoon sailing by that much.

You could also try calling CalMac and say that you are arriving by bus, asking if they can hold the 10.30 sailing if the bus is a little late.

At Armadale it is steps from the bus to the ship.

Thank you for the reply! I see.

I would feel a lot better if I could talk to a person at CalMac, but everything I try to get in touch takes me to their bot. (EDIT: I was actually just trying to contact Direct Ferries, the company that manages tickets I guess, so I will try to call CalMac tomorrow!) It would be great to have some reassurance that either they can hold the 10:30 ferry, or the 2:30 will be pretty much on time, and that I can switch to the 2:30 if I miss the 10:30.

I reached out to a few taxis in the Broadford area, and it will be about 60 for a ride to Armadale, quite a bit more than the bus!

I also wonder about ride sharing options. There is likely someone else in Broadford taking the ferry that day who might want to split a taxi…

Armadale Port Office is 01471 250090 and Mallaig Port Office is 01687 310240.

Thank you!