Isle of Skye Transportation

The Isle of Skye is hardly easy to get to and if you don't have a car you'll have a failrly awkward journey. However, it's not all that difficult so long as you plan ahead.

There are no train stations on Skye so you'll need to disembark at Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland just by the Skye Road bridge. The journey from Inverness is two and a half hours and there are three trains a day leaving Inverness at 08:53, 10:52 and 18:00 (check timetable at www.nationalrail.co.uk as they are subject to change). Going the other way trains leave Kyle at 07:25, 11:59 and 16:00. You can get to Inverness from Edinburgh or Glasgow in about 3 and a half to five and a half hours depending on the service, they go about one an hour (see my Edinburgh page for travel to Edinburgh).

From Kyle you can either try to hitch a lift, take a taxi or take bus number 916 or 917 which departs Kyle at 11:53, 15:58 and 19:20 daily.

I'm not saying that public transport does not exist, because it does but i can honestly say we did not see any buses at all, your best bet is to drive or rent a car on the Scottish mainland and drive up, and besides you can venture up all the single track roads that a bus would not normally go!

In order for you to get around Skye and see all its beauty within a short period of days, I would recommend taking, or hiring a car. It doesn't need to be an enormous tank but it must be able to climb up a steep hill or two, fully laden.

Slow Down and Relax
Obviously everyone who does drive has to learn, very quickly, that it is not just a case of getting from A to B as fast as possible. Be prepared to slow down all the time and give yourself enough space and time to take in some of the passing scenery. You'll be wanting to stop off every now and again for a photo opp anyhow.

Passing Places
There are a lot of single track roads on Skye, which the have "Passing Places" every so often. You need to keep your wits about you but you soon get used to seeing around corners.

Plan your day
Another thing I would recommend is that you plan your day, so as you're not driving aimlessly around. Pick a spot to head for and then leave the car in the car park. Give yourself the chance to walk around for at least three or four hours a day.

Being an island, it's also possible to reach Skye by sail.
Must say I felt quite envious when the crew disembarked from this old sailing boat.
Didn't feel so jealous a few days later though when it was blowing a gale!

Until recently Skye was onlr reachable by ferry. Now though you can drive over the bridge to Skye.
When it was first built the bridge was controversial, mainly for its high toll charge, one of the dearest crossings in Europe (and it's not that far!)
Now though it is thankfully free, as it has now been paid for in full (by harrasseed motorists)

the baot to Skye has always been the romantic way to reach Skye.
You can get a ferry from Mallaig on the mainland to Armadale on the southern tip of Skye.
The trip takes about 25minutes, and you can take your car, or travel as just a foot passenger.

Although you can get up to and around Skye by public transport, if you are in a hurry then you cannot beat the old car.
Skye has many narow and single track roads, so I would not reccomend anything too big.
Car hire is available at all main UK airports, or bring your own.

Skye Bridge Toll is Cancelled

The toll ended December 2004 - it is now free to cross the bridge.

See www.skat.org.uk for the news!

The ferry is still the best way to arrive on Skye - save the bridge for a quick exit :-)

Ferries to Skye from:
Mallaig
Glenelg
Stornoway

see map link below.