A87 Road to Skye (Scotland) – Best stops + Tips – Glen Shiel and Loch Cluanie

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Why drive the A87 Road to Skye Bridge?

The Isle of Skye is considered a must-visit when in Scotland, for very good reasons. It is a magnificent island with impressive mountains and lochs.
But what is the best way to get there?
Personally I prefer Road A87 along Loch Cluanie and through Glen Shiel rather than the ferry from Mallaig.
The scenery is once again breathtaking.

About Road A87 Scotland - Map

• The Isle of Skye can be reached by ferry from Mallaig (at the end of the Road to the Isles) or by car via the Road to Skye, a.k.a A87 Road
• A87 starts in Invergarry (from A82) and takes you all the way to the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh and continues on the Isle of Skye to Portree and Uig where you can catch ferries to the Outer Hebrides.
• Below is a map to help you get oriented around the A87 road up to the Skye Bridge:

SECTION 1 - Loch Cluanie Scotland

About 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.
• On the West side, you can find the settlement of Cluanie with an Inn and 2 holiday homes

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

SECTION 2 - Drive between 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 keeps getting better and better. Wide at the beginning, the glen gets narrower and the views more impressive.

SECTION 3 - Glen Shiel and the Five Sisters of Kintail

Driving through Glen Shiel

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

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

Glen Shiel History

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). 

Five Sisters of Kintail

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

SECTION 4 - 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 enclosed loch, Loch Duich is actually a sea loch.

SECTION 5 - 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 carparks are available to admire the scenery of enjoy a picnic (although it can get very windy).

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.

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