Glasgow to Neist lighthouse

Even without allowing for the extra time you would need to check in with the ferry, board, then disembark, it's shorter via the Skye bridge by about an hour. Plus the ferry would cost you an extra £40.85 for one person+vehicle (add £3.20 for each add'l person). I would vote for the non-ferry route.

Perfect! That's exactly the clarification I was looking for! Thank you!

Hi, maplittle,

I would definitely take the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, then the Skye Bridge back, especially if you are visiting Eilean Donan Castle on your return journey. The A830 from Fort William to Mallaig is one of the most scenic roads in the Highlands, and the ferry takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on tides.

The ferry only costs 10 pounds 65 pence for your car, plus 3 pounds 20 pence for each person in the car (including the driver). For that small amount of money, I would definitely take the ferry and enjoy the experience.

Count on at least 2 1/2 to three hours from Armadale to the Neist Point car park, and about 2 hours 45 minutes back to the bridge.

I realise that your time in Scotland is limited, but don't rush. Scotland is meant to be savoured, not hurried through!

Very best wishes for your journey!

Mike (Auchterless)

maplittle, listen to Mike, not me. I should probably have not jumped in here since I have not yet been to Scotland. After all, you are in Scotland because you want to see some gorgeous scenery and if you skip it because of a few hours, you will be missing a lot. I've been planning this trip for ages and Mike has given me some great advice along with others here, so I would heed that. :)

And obviously, I am unable to do simple math. £10.65 + £3.20 does NOT equal £40.85. Sigh. I just need to go back to bed now.

Eilean Donan Castle looks amazing from the outside but the inside is disappointing. The castle isn't as old as it looks, as it was completely rebuilt about 100 years ago. As you have limited time, this is one to admire from the outside and then move on.

Thank you both! It sounds like, all in, taking the Mallaig ferry might take an hour longer but I agree, outstanding scenery is part of what makes traveling to Scotland so enjoyable. We visited in 1988 but did not see Skye and north of Edinburg. I'm looking forward to our visit. ( I do know I need to make a car reservation 👍). Thank you.

Thank you wasleys! Good to know!!! Still researching castles. We will be traveling from Glasgow to Skye, then the Dornoch area, then Loch Lomond/Glasgow. Ruins northeast of Dornoch look interesting but I'd appreciate any further suggestions. Thank you.

I do know I need to make a car reservation.

Yes, I recommend Celtic Legend, which I heard about from folks here. I got a decent price from them, which includes nav sat, and they have been very pleasant to deal with. Plus you don't pay anything until you pick up the car.

You will also need to book your ferry reservation from Mallaig to Armadale. I am taking that ferry in May but when I checked it today, CalMac is not booking it yet. I think they are waiting for fare approval from the Transport Scotland authorities for that particular route. But they are supposed to open it up on January 31st. https://www.calmac.co.uk/

Thank you!

We have visited Scotland several times. IMHO, definitely use both routes to Skye - ferry one way, the bridge the other. Neist Point is at the very tip of Skye. The Trotterish Peninsula is actually more scenic if your time is limited. We found Portree rather charmless - that picture you frequently see of the row of colored houses by the harbor is the only scenic bit in the village itself. The stretch of road between Broadford and Portree is very beautiful.

Enjoy the view of Eilean Donan Castle from the outside, but the inside is, as others have said, a reconstruction. Save your limited time for other attractions. Urquhart Castle is a very interesting ruin with a picturesque setting, even though Scottish Heritage has gussied it up with a fancy visitor center and it attracts lots of tour buses. Kilchurn Castle has a lovely setting, although the interior was fenced off June, 2022. Many ruins in Scotland are currently fenced off due to wind damage and crumbling masonry. Repairs are slow, due to budget concerns and a lack of workers skilled in historic restoration.

When you leave Skye, use the road that goes farther north through Torridon. Going that way to Inverness is much more scenic and only takes about ten minutes longer. The distance is about the same. The mountains around Torridon are just as beautiful as those on Skye but feel much more remote. If you want to stop at Urquhart Castle, add Drumnadrochit to Google maps and you will see the route. You could easily do this in a day and arrive in charmless Inverness in time for dinner.

Thank you Cynthia for your perceptive insights!!
Everyone thank you. Precisely the type of information I was looking for.