Train, Travel, & Skye

The train bit has options, especially if you've already used the Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh line. You can also use the very scenic West Highland Line between Mallaig and Glasgow - including the Glenfinnan Viaduct where the Harry Potter fans gather. This needs a short ferry crossing connecting Armadale at the southern tip of Skye, which has a somewhat variable timetable due to tides - which is why the bus connection for it is hopeless.

But if you stayed in Broadford, studied the ferry timetable and probably used a taxi to/from (advance booking essential) Armadale it would be a very interesting ride for a railfan and offer two train routes in one visit. And in Broadford you have access to a network of local buses which would give enough options to cover your days much cheaper than a taxi, a day pass for the whole island is £10.50 https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/RouteMaps/North%20Scotland/Isle-of-Skye_Map-WEB%20Route%20map.pdf https://www.stagecoachbus.com/regionaltickets/north-scotland/skye/dayrider. We just need to know which month so we can study the ferry timetable!

There is even a Scotrail tour pass designed for your plan! https://www.scotrail.co.uk/tickets/combined-tickets-travel-passes/scottish-grand-tour which can be bought at rail stations in Scotland as a paper ticket without pre-booking. Key facts, does not include the ferry fare, does include the Armadale bus which may not be any use of some dates, circular tour in either direction but no doubling back. Start/end in Glasgow or Edinburgh (or anywhere in between, eg Stirling). Travel on up to 4 days within a maximum period of 8 days - example one day for the (Edinburgh)-Glasgow-Broadford, maybe 5 days on Skye (using local bus pass) and one or two days for the Broadford-Inverness-Glasgow/Edinburgh. You can do it in fewer days if you want to.

Wow! This is incredibly helpful in every way, and will give me a good start on a detailed plan for the trip. Thanks so very much.

Marjie

There is also a 7 day Skye megarider for £35.50 which is an app based ticket. You can also have that on a Smartcard (if you have one, like me) but Stagecoach in Scotland are no longer issuing new smartcards. So for most people it is now app only.

Also very helpful. Thank you!