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

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:

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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.

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.

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

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.

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 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). 

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

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 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).

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.

Want to see more of SCOTLAND?

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

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

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