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Skye Bridge connects Kyle of Lochalsh with the Isle of Skye

Kyle of Lochalsh Tourist Information Centre

Boat trips depart from Kyle of Lochalsh

Scanindavian influenced architecture in Lochalsh

Eilean Donan Castle surrounded by Loch Duich

Holiday accommodation is available through Glen Shiel near Kyle of Lochalsh

Driving up Glen Shiel

Plenty of walking country around Glen Shiel or up the Wester Ross Coastal Trail

Kyle of Lochalsh Scotland Tourist Information Eilean Donan Castle Wester Ross

The journey up Glen Shiel to the Kyle of Lochalsh feels like you're entering one of the remotest parts of the Scottish Highlands. For much of the way you pass mountains and lochs and few settlements. The traverse over the Five Sisters of Kintail is popular with serious hillwalkers where they rise rise to 3,000 feet overlooking of Shiel Bridge.

The Kyle of Lochalsh is the main settlement along Glen Sheil and is a good base for exploring the surrounding mountains or the west coast. The Skye Bridge stretches from Lochalsh to the island. Eilean Donan Castle is the archetypical Scottish Castle perched next to Loch Duich just east of the Kyle of Lochalsh.

Kyle of Lochalsh Tourist Information

The A87 road from The Great Glen brings you through spectacular Scottish Highland country to Kyle of Lochalsh. This is a remote area with few roads or settlements. The main road passes by Loch Loch Cluanie and Loch Duich. The area is excellent to explore for walkers. Kyle of Lochalsh used to be the main point for crossing over to the Isle of Skye via ferry. The building of the Skye road bridge has lessened the need for ferries but the train still runs to Kyle of Lochalsh and the town has a good choice of shops and facilities before embarking onwards into the wilds of Glen Sheil or Skye.

Trains run to Kyle of Lochalsh from Inverness and bus services run from Glasgow and Inverness. Buses will also get you across the bridge to Skye. The town has a Tourist Information Office on the hill above the harbour. You can get the usual array of information and advice about the area as well as tickets for the Seaprobe Atlantis boat trips (see below), gifts and postcards. Tourist Information Office, The Car Park, Kyle of Lochalsh, Highland IV40 8AG. Tel: 01599 534276. Fax: 01599 534808.

Don't miss the entertaining toilets next door! They're decorated with all sorts of Scottish themed souvenirs and trinkets, some of which make interesting reading. There's also a poem written by one of the attendants all about how the loos became so interesting. They've won awards!

There is a range of B&B, hotel and camping accommodation in Kyle of Lochalsh and in the small settlements along the A87 route through the mountains. These can get booked up well in advance during the busy periods in the summer. The town also has a good choice of small shops and supermarkets.

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle is the archetypical Scottish Castle perched next to a loch. It's just east of the Kyle of Lochalsh overlooking Loch Duich. People have lived here since the 6th century but a fortified castle wasn't present until the 13th century.

The Jacobite uprising was responsible for the castle being brought into ruin in 1719 when it was attacked for harbouring Bonnie Prince Charlie's father, The Old Pretender. It wasn't until the 20th century that it was restored to what you'll see today.

It is much visited and photographed and has even appeared in several films including Entrapment, Highlander and the James Bond film The World is Not Enough. For the ultimate in romantic settings how about getting married there. Check the weblink right for more information.

There is a large car park for the castle just off the main A87. There is also a coffee shop, gift shop and toilets. The castle is open between 10am-6pm during March and November with the Visitor Centre closing at 5pm. The castle opens earlier at 9am during July and August. Nearby is the hamlet of Dornie where there is some accommodation and bars that sometimes have live music.

Highland Walking Hiking Kyle of Lochalsh

The mountains around the Kyle of Lochalsh are some of the most remote in the Scottish Highlands. On the approach from the east the Five Sisters of Kintail are the huge mountains rising to 3,000 feet overlooking of Shiel Bridge.

For a spot of Munro bagging you'll do no better than the popular traverse across the Five Sisters. This is challenging walking country so you need to be prepared.

Check the links right for more information on hiking in the area.

Glenelg Peninsula Glenelg Ferry to Skye

Just south of Lochalsh is the Glenelg Peninsula a sparsely populated area where the main settlement is Glenelg. The Sound of Sleat surrounds the peninsula and it is served by only one single track road.

The road climbs 1,100 feet over Mam Ratagan Pass where you can get some excellent views of the Five Sisters.

One of the few ferries left that cross from the Scottish Highlands to the Isle of Skye goes from Glenelg. It sails across the Sound of Sleat to Kylerhea between Easter and November. It has only been able to continue going since the opening of the Skye Bridge when a group of local people bought it as the Isle of Skye Ferry Community Trust. Anyone can join and the subscription helps fund the ferry service.

The service runs from Easter to October and takes just 5 minutes. Ferries run every 15 minutes during busy times and every 30 minutes when it's less busy. The ferry can take up to 6 cars. Check their website for up-to-date information or contact them on Tel: 01599 522273 or 01599 522253 or 01599 522313. Email: info@skyeferry.co.uk. Always check the latest sailing times as ferries don't always run in bad weather.

Wester Ross Coastal Trail

From the Kyle of Lochalsh north you pass some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland.

Plockton, the Applecross Peninsula then up through the Torridon area to Gairloch, Poolewe and on to Gruinard Bay you'll pass mountain views, lochs with wooded islands and of course beautiful coastal views out to the Isle of Skye and The Minch.

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