As this is my 3rd thread on the subject of driving and touring routes, by now you will have probably got some indication of just where I like to go and thrash around my Fabia TDi!

To begin on a sour note - Fort William may be a popular touring base, but it's unsightly compared to many other towns or villages on the western seeboard. However, the sight of Ben Nevis commands respect and is best viewed from across Loch Linnie on the A861 near Camusnagaul.

It's north we're heading though and so take the A82 to Spean Bridge. Pass the Nevis Range Ski centre on the RH side, where you can go on the cable car for rides to the summit of Aonoch Mor.

At Spean Bridge, turn left on A82 towards Invergarry. Just beyond Spean, there's the Commando Memorial. Worth a stop here for a glance at this striking memorial alone, but you also get superb views towards the back of you of Aonoch Mor and Ben Nevis.

The road to Invergarry passes by Loch Lochy, one of the longest of several lochs in the Great Glen. RAF Tornados often have the audacity to swoop down low and scare the living daylights out of you here!

In Invergarry, head left along the A87. I think from this point on, the signs begin to appear in gaelic as well as english, which is lovely from a cultural point of view. The climb through Glen Garry affords excellent views of Loch Garry down below and a viewpoint is reached on the left.

The A87 meets with the junction of the A887, which heads east. Turn left and head west for Caol Loch Ailse (Kyle of Lochalsh).

The ride by Loch Cluanie can be taken quite fast, which isn't a bad thing as the views are not amongst my personal best around here. Things begin to change again though as you head towards Shiel Bridge and pass by the five mountain peaks known as the Five Sisters of Kintail.

A deviation can be taken down an unclassified road at Shiel (SP Glenelg). On the climb, a bit of a car park to the RH side offers great views across Loch Duich and the Five Sisters.

Back on the A87, continue along Loch Alsh and towards the most oft-photographed fortification that is Eilean Donan Castle. This is a popular attraction, namely thanks to it's appearance in the film 'Highlander'. Over the bridge past Dornie, it's possible to park on the LH side and get excellent pictures of the castle without the visitors!

Continue along the A87 and the 3-arched modern Skye Bridge appears in the distance. Head into Kyle of Lochalsh and parking is available on the loch front if you go left at the main lights.

Kyle is where the famous West Highland railway line ends - once filmed years ago for a BBC documentary. The RNLI station is open to visitors and it's a worthy cause to support too. I love the chippy at JJ's - I think they serve some of the best chips I've ever tasted in Scotland! But one visit you must make is to the loo - they ARE the best anywhere. A small entry fee (20p in 2005) affords you the most highly originally decorated public conveniences in the UK. The walls, ceilings, doors and cubicles are adorned with all sorts of Scottish paraphanalia. A poem about the loos is available from the man in the entry booth.

Back in the car, it's time to head over the sea to Skye - alas, by bridge. Thankfully, the ridiculously high crossing fees have now gone and it's FREE!

A great road - the bit by Loch Lochy is FAST :D

A great road - the bit by Loch Lochy is FAST :D

Yes indeed! It's nice and wide which allows those of us in a hurry to bypass all the wobble-boxes! :rofl:

I'm off busily constructing my next Scotland touring holiday, cheers for the tips

Steve

Never did over 130 - honestly A strange bit of road in some ways - a very fast, wide straight stretch with very twisty bits at either end :eek:

The crash barriers at the side of Loch Lochy are very hard and well placed :(

Did that self same trip last year, but with caravan on back and continued up to Dunvegan on Skye

Skye........mmmmmm now theres some NICE roads :thumbup: and also some stunning scenery :thumbup:

Skye - went there once. It rained :mad:

Now, if you want nice island roads, go to Mull. Tobermory to Dervaig :thumbup:

I took that route last year when i went to Skye. Absolutely stunning scenery and posted some pictures on here of my car up in Scotland.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39854&highlight=Scotland+Pictures

Stayed 2 nights, had great weather the 2 days i was travelling up from Garleston and back to Garleston but rained on and off the one day i was there. :(

A excellent place to stay if up in that general area is the Stein Inn.. Located

between Portree and Dunvegan... 5 miles from the road.. It is so quiet..

Unless the RAF do there usual 50 ft flypasts...

There is another way across to Skye.. Try the ferry from Mallaig..

excellent drive and scenery through Glenfinnan..

cheers

Dazz

And if you think your quick on the skye road...wait till a black nissan leaves you for dead, okay 2 up and holiday gear makes you less than nimble but ever so humble

Lovely road though from FW to Skye, bear in mind it's heading west, so if doing in the evening it's a nightmare to push on at times.

Also if you can make it out to Harris and Lewis very nice.

/todo work on these guides areas.

Yes thats a problem that far up in the Highlands there is an abundance of single track roads with 'passing places' this can really slow you down....

Also a good sight whilst up there is from Fort William head north out of the town.

There will be a turning on the right for Glen Nevis.. Head up there and you will find water falls and be at the foot of Ben Nevis...

Fort William is OK as a base after a long drive up from England.. There is a nice

pub, The Grog and Gruel which sells many a different ale and whiskey..

There is also the various resturants doted about....

Anyway I forgot to put the website address for the Stein Inn on Skye..

www.steininn.co.uk

cheers

Dazz

Great route that! I did it in the summer, regretfully I was driving my dad's Passat at the time, which is a bit bouncy, and it was crammed full of holiday gear and people, complete with bikes on the roof, so hardly the best driving machine to sample that in. But still a great selection of roads!

It gets worse; on some days the Morriston Bridge (if going from Invergarry to Kyle watch out for the Give Way at the junction, only signposted from 50 yards out and downhill with warm brakes) to Kintail section could see you clocking up "consider disqualification" speeds, and still being passed!! :eek:

Gents (and Gentesses) - Lochaber is my home territory - I spent my yoof at the end of the A830 , cycled it when when 18 and generally played around there ,at work and play for more years .In recent years I've had to go up there to look after Dad ( in Hospital in Inverness) - so I reckon I know the area quite well . The A830 ,Fort William -Mallaig road is my speciality - well if it's the only road in/out ,and if you've driven it for as long as I have -then it's a bit of something you get to know ,and my family roots are there -my Grandad founded the village (despite various other stories) -so I reckon if you need help in that area - shout -if I can help -I'll answer -if not - I'll try to find out .Best bet is to PM .

Edited 29 December, 200916 yr by VWD

My holiday home is on the west coast of Skye (Fiskavaig) so I do this route about 12 times a year and the only time it disappoints is peak holiday season when the roads are clogged with caravans/campervans. In fact, I did it this weekend the roads were quiet and it was an awesome quick run from Ft Bill to Skye!

Did this as part of a fantastic weekend earlier this month. Then spent the afternoon hooning round Skye in an M5 - hard to beat for grin factor

Great route, especially the climb over from Glen Garry to Loch Sheil

Fort William is a bit a of a dump, full of outdoor shops & tourist trash, Eastern European beggars and little else :(

Glencoe & Rannoch Moor, on the way up via the A82, are much better. There are some other highlights, like Neptune's Staircase & Eas Chai-aig waterfalls, just off route.

The view down Glen Garry from the viewpoint is well worth a stop.

The A890 over to Loch Carron is one hell of a rollercoaster!

All the roads on the West Coast of Scotland MUST be driven at least once in your lifetime!

... I'm off up there next week in fact

Edited 12 October, 201015 yr by CharlieWhiskey

It's stunning up there - and I love those roads.

Try the road from Skye to Ullapool along the coast from the Kyle Of Loch Alsh - stunning road. I drove it some years ago while on a climbing holiday and it took me 8 hours to do the trip as I had to keep stopping to take photos!

Rich