Scenic lunch spot on A82 heading to Skye from Glasgow

Hmm, there are no 'fast casual restaurants' along Loch Lomond. You could pause at Luss (where there are a couple of cafes), or continue a little further north stopping or continue north to Tarbet (where there is a hotel and a small take away cafe), or a little further north to Iveruglas Visitor Centre where there is a car park overlooking the water, some wash rooms and a cafe (which might be closed at the moment). Nonetheless a good spot for a picnic.

Expect traffic to move slowly along Loch Lomond and be aware that the road north of Tarbet is narrow and has some tricky corners. Be very careful as the Citylink coaches and the trucks take up more than half the width of the road.

It takes me about 6 hours to get to my house in Skye from Glasgow airport. I don't hang about, so expect it to take you at least 7 hours and probably more to get to Portree area and longer if you're going north of Portree. Also depending when you are travelling be aware that there are some evening/overnight closures on the A87 in Skye at the moment for road resurfacing works.

I assume if you are coming to Skye via Mallaig that you have booked your ferry? It's essential with a car and at the moment the ferry service is passenger only until at least 13th May as the regular vessel is redeployed elsewhere on the network. I seem to recall from your earlier post that your trip is in May 2026?

Scotlands Latitudes make it more like Canada than US in more ways than one. Less population and more wilderness. Less al fresco and more cosy pub or loch side restaurant. Maillaig is a fishing village...Fish & Chips! The drive along Loch Lomand seems very long with the scenery the same for miles when you are driving on the west side. Urquhart has the Castle Relic and Nessie which could make it a good stop for a picnic. I would actually take at least 2 days to allow for an overnight at Inverarary and see the Castle. There are more accommodations and pubs.

Kathleen - Urquhart castle and Nessie stuff are both on Loch Ness, not Loch Lomond. Also Bob and his party won’t get to Mallaig until nearer supper time rather than lunchtime.

I would look at stopping in Fort William. There used to be a very good seafood restaurant on the pier with nice views of the loch, but it looks like it's moved a few blocks inland (it's called Crannog). The only issue with Fort William is it would be quite a late lunch- but it could be a nice opportunity to take a break either way.

Yes, Crannog moved from the old steamer pier at Fort William to basically where the new movie theatre is, several years ago. The problem is they close after lunch service at 2.30, and re-open for dinner service at 5, otherwise it would be a sound choice.

The latest news, which may change, is that car ferry service restarts on 3 May to Armadale, and becomes two vessel service on 13 May. But that needs at least one more big ship back to help out both Mull and Coll/Tiree, and repairs on a small ship to be completed).

With a last Mallaig sailing most nights at around 5.30pm (so in line by around 5pm) there isn't that much time to be hanging round for a "casual lunch" anywhere.
I'm actually wondering about the Kirk o' the Lochs beside Arrochar and Tarbet railway station- only 2 minutes off route. Not sure about how late Lunch is served, but they do a distinctly Scottish take on afternoon tea from 2pm.However the timing is very tight.

I think the wee cafe at Tarbet Pier is as good as anywhere, and should be quick- although when I was there last year a bus party had stopped by and service was turgidly slow.

Maybe take a picnic, and push on, stopping beyond Fort William when you know how well you are doing for time.

Worth mentioning, but you likely won't get there on time, I've just seen that a new deli opened on 27 April (2 days ago) at Mallaig Railway Station called 'Bloom and Graze' open 8am to 4pm daily (7 days a week).

Lots of luscious looking cakes, as well as hot pastries and lots of breakfast goods, also fish and chips etc from 12 noon.

You could consider The Drover's Inn, just north of Loch Lomond on the A 82, reputedly one of Scotland's most haunted pubs.

Or if speed is the requirement The Green Welly Stop, which is both a bit of a tourist trap and a good stop on route. There are other places in Tyndrum you may prefer. Tyndrum is the last real place you'll go through on the A 82 before Glencoe. Glencoe NTS also has a cafe.

Many thanks for your kind replies. Good options at 45, 60, and 75 minutes out so Hunger can make the decision on the day ! (Personally I would love an amble and a soup at The Green Welly)

Skyegirl, I should have said that we are spending the night in Mallaig and have reservations for the 10:55 ferry to Armadale next day on May 23. If the car ferry is not operational you’ll hear me asking about the bridge vs the wee ferry from Glenelg.

Isn31c, we may well visit the new Bloom and Graze deli in the morning so thanks for that news. (We have dinner reservations at Chlachain and are hoping for traditional live music since it’s a Friday night. Also planning to visit Jaffa’s smokehouse for preserved seafood for our self-cater on Skye)

As before, I am grateful for the kind and knowledgeable folk on this site.