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Which route option: Skye to Inverness

Posted by (New York, NY, USA) on

Hi!

Have been vacillating between which route to take from Skye to Inverness:

1) Northern - Drive from Kyle of Lochalsh (drive down to see Eilean Donan ) then up through Plockton, Shieldaig, Torridon (enjoy a short hike), Kinlochewe and into Inverness
OR
2) Drive from Kyle of Lochalsh to Plockton, then down by Eilean Donan and continue via A87 - A887 - A82 up the west side of Loch Ness (stopping to see Urquhart Castle) and into Inverness

Note: This will be early Sept. and we have the ENTIRE day open for the drive from Skye to Inverness, to stop, enjoy and explore. We will have already spent a couple days in Glencoe hiking and plan on taking the road via Glenfinnen and Malliag on our way to Skye and the Skye Bridge off the island.

Opinions about which route? Preferences regarding landscapes, etc.? Insights?
Thanks!
Rebecca

Posted by
4140 posts

Frankly , it really depends on how much do you want to visit Urquhart Castle ? The other advantage to the second choice , would be a stop in Fort Augustus which I found interesting in addition to Urquhart . I'll be over that way on a repeat visit a bit later than you are .

Posted by
1120 posts

Route 2 is the less interesting of the two. Route 1 is much more interesting. You could make it even more fun by adding in the Kylerhea to Glenelg ferry (the only hand operated turntable ferry in the world - which takes just 6 cars and makes the short crossing in about 10 minutes), exploring the ancient brochs of Glenelg and possibly driving to the end of the road at Corran where you will find Sheena's tea hut and great views of the Knoydart peninsula. Once back on the A87 you can backtrack ever so slightly to Eileen Donan and resume route 1.

Best wishes
Jacqui (Skyegirl)

Posted by
1450 posts

There is evidence of congestion, probably for work on the west road by Loch Ness right now; they'll most likely be done by September. We didn't go your alternate way; so we can't comment. We actually stayed in a B & B near Urquhart. If was fun to go to the Castle and pretend to look for Nessie. I do have to say that the drive up the west side of Loch Ness is a little Monotonous. A lot of people opt to take a boat tour of Loch Ness from Inverness.

Posted by
1835 posts

Another vote for the first route as being the more interesting and takes you through some wild and isolated scenery. The Glen Elg ferry would make an excellent add on (as well as being great fun). It would also take you past Eilean Donan Castle. The outside is stunning buut don't bother going round as the inside just doesn't live up to the exterior.

Posted by
5764 posts

If the OP wants or needs to go to Inverness then Assynt is of little use.

Posted by
3761 posts

Hello from another Rebecca!
Both plans sound good to me.
I lean toward the drive by Loch Ness and seeing Urquhart Castle.

Posted by
1376 posts

Hi, Rebecca,

If the driver has a head for heights, the drive over the Bealach-na-Ba would make a great addition to your first option.

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by
52 posts

Thank you all for the suggestions, they are greatly appreciated!

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