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Scenic Road A87 to the Isle of Skye Bridge – Glen Shiel and Loch Cluanie

By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

You often hear about the beauty of the Isle of Skye, but the main road to the island is as magnificent. A87 takes you along the tortuous Loch Cluanie and through the narrow Glen Shiel before reaching Loch Duich and the practical Skye Bridge. Discover it in video and photos:

Pin Road A87 to Skye Bridge - Glen Shiel - Loch Cluanie

Navigate back to the complete Travel Scotland Guide


Road A87 to Skye Bridge - Video

Let's start with a short video that will give you an idea of what driving on A87 looks like: first along the North Shore of Loch Cluanie an then through Glen Shiel. Discover at the end the Skye bridge that provide easy access to the Isle of Skye, considered one of the most beautiful islands in the World.


INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Road to the Isle of Skye

TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS

How to get to the Isle of Skye

  • The isle of Skye can be reached by ferry or by car - for more information about the ferry, check out my article with 20 things to do in Skye Island
  • By road A87 you drive from A82 (main central road) to the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh

Driving A87

  • A87 is a road with one lane in each direction. It is in good condition.
  • From A82 to the Skye Bridge, it takes 1 hour (37mi) if you don't stop. The grand scenery starts at Bun Lyone
  • The main towns are Shiel Bridge about in the middle and Kyle of Lochalsh near the bridge to the Isle of Skye
  • One of the most famous stops is for the Five Sisters of Kintail in Glen Shiel

The GPS coordinates of all locations in this article as well as their identification on practical maps are available on both Travel Guide eBooks: The Road Trip Guide Scotland and The Road Trip Guide: Edinburgh to Skye


Loch Cluanie

Loch Cluanie is a freshwater loch created by a dam built in 1957 as part of an extensive hydroelectric project. Niched in the Highlands, several hikes on Munros are available in the area.

Road A87 follows the North Shore, all the way to the historical Loch Cluanie Inn.

Loch Cluanie Scotland 1
Loch Cluanie Scotland 2
Loch Cluanie Scotland 3

The shores of Loch Cluanie are very tortuous with islets and white rock 'peninsulas'.

Loch Cluanie Scotland 4
Loch Cluanie Scotland 5
Loch Cluanie Scotland 6

Between Loch Cluanie and Glen Shiel

The River shiel takes it source in mountains Est of Loch Cluanie. So Glen Shiel does not officially start right after Loch Cluanie.

This does not mean that the scenery is not interesting. On the contrary. It just keep getting better and better. Wide at the beginning the glen gets narrower and the views more impressive.

Between Loch Cluanie and Glen Shiel 1
Between Loch Cluanie and Glen Shiel 2
Between Loch Cluanie and Glen Shiel 3
Between Loch Cluanie and Glen Shiel 4
Cover The Road Trip Guide Scotland by ZigZag On Earth

These locations, along with many other beautiful places, are included in my eBook: The Road Trip Guide - Scotland.

It is a practical tool to plan your trip with maps, photos, planning tips, GPS coordinates...

Learn More


Glen Shiel and the Five Sisters of Kintail

Glen Shiel is one of the best valleys to drive in Scotland. The road follows along River Shiel stuck between towering mountains.

The are a is green and never boring. The peaks all have very different shapes and the canyon is lake a snake displaying different layers of mountains.

Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 1
Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 2
Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 3

Glen Shiel is also famous for a battle which took place in 1719 during the Jacobite rebellion.

The most famous peaks in the area are Sgur Fhurean (Cold Peak - 3505ft - 1068m), The Saddle (3319ft - 1011m) and Sgur Na Sgine (3098ft - 944m). 

Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 4
Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 5
Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 6
Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 7

One of the ridge is called the Five Sisters of Kintail. It is a series of peaks rising from 2729ft (832m) to 3505ft (1068m). 

Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 8
Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 9
Glen Shiel Scotland - Five Sisters of Kintail 10

Loch Duich and Eilean Donan Castle

You leave Glen Shiel at the town of Shiel Bridge where Loch Duich starts. At its East end, you still have views of the famous Five Sisters of Kintail

Although it looks like an enclose loch, Loch Duich is actually a sea loch.

This Loch is mostly famous because at its head was build Eilean Donan Castle, on a small island where Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh meet.

Loch Duich 2
Loch Duich 1
Loch Duich 3
Eileen Donan Castle Scotland 1
Eileen Donan Castle Scotland 2

Loch Alsh and Skye Bridge

The last leg of Road A87 to the Isle of Skye takes you along Loch Alsh and to the Skye Bridge.

Loch Alph is of course a sea loch that runs for 12km (7.5 miles). Several parkings are available to admire the scenery of enjoy a picnic (although it can get very windy).

Isle of Skye bridge 1
Isle of Skye bridge 2

Before the only way to get to the Isle of Skye and admire the beauties of Quiraing, the Cuillin Mountains and the Old Man of Storr was to take a ferry from Mallaig or from Kyle of Lochalsh (right next to where the bridge is now).

​Built in 1992, the Skye Bridge now gives easy access to this beautiful island covering the 500 meters of straight (1640ft). It connects Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin.

Following many protests, the bridge is toll free.

Skye Island Bridge 3
Skye Island Bridge 4

Want to see more of SCOTLAND?

Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Scotland Destination Guide.

PREVIOUS: 

URQUHART CASTLE - LOCH NESS

NEXT: 

EILEAN DONAN CASTLE SCOTLAND

Travel Scotland Destination Guide

​


Surely one of the best drive in Scotland, don't you think?

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Elgol Boat trip to Loch Coruisk – Photos + Tips (Scenic Cuillin Mountains!)
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Kilt Rock Skye and Mealt Falls – Photos + Tips (+ 3 extra cliff views)
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Loch Ainort Skye and Luib – a beautiful stop on the way to Portree
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Like sharing? Here is another pin for you:

Road to isle of Skye Bridge via Glen Shiel and Loch Cluanie

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Colin Bowles says

    March 3, 2017 at 5:13 PM

    I drove a kit car along the A87 around 1995, and vowed to return, which I did with my wife on a coach trip. I felt that when God designed Paradise, this area must have been the prototype. Hopefully one day I shall return.

    Reply
  2. Annette says

    May 16, 2018 at 5:44 PM

    Hi Claire, thank you for the great summary/description. Do you recall if there were any tunnels on the A87 to Skye?

    Reply
    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      May 16, 2018 at 10:24 PM

      No tunnels 🙂

      Reply
  3. Pablo Vicente says

    December 6, 2018 at 11:54 PM

    Do you think that this route is more beautiful/scenic then the A832/A890 route? I will be driving from Inverness to Skye and want to pick the best one. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      December 7, 2018 at 9:34 AM

      Both are stunning.
      See here for photos of the other roads you mention (through Wester Ross) – https://www.zigzagonearth.com/road-trip-wester-ross-scotland/

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Claire

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I am the Travel Planning Geek behind the ZigZag Travel Guides. My goal is to provide you with clear and practical information to help you plan unforgettable trips! Read more

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