Over the sea to Skye, Glenelg ferry

[Craigieboy]

I know I've covered my early start on another thread, but please forgive me as that run deserves a few more pictures. It was magic 😄

 

Again I was disappointed not to add this road section onto the end of my NC250 route, but I was beaten by the bad weather and the ferry was off. 

 

So an early start was in order, to beat the bikers and campers up past Loch Lomond and through Glen Coe. Just me and my mate in his MK and we hit the road just before 7am.

 

Our route took us North of Fort William on the A82, up to Invergarry where we joined the A87 for the Kyle of Lochalsh. The road climbs out of Invergarry and has magnificent views of Glen Garry and Loch Garry below, sorry no pictures as it was unusually empty and we were having too much fun on the sweeping bends.

 

We've carried on West until Shiel Bridge and the start of Loch Duich, where Eilean Donan Castle is situated and I'm sure you are all aware. We then crossed the Shiel bridge onto an 'old military road' (the Highlands are full of these historic roads), which led us to the Ratagan pass, a road I'd never been on before, but will certainly be back.

It was brilliant, great views and again empty as I think it's just enough off the beaten track for people not to know about it.

 

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/dZNsg5SgGrUSCqfP7

 

 

 

 

 

I could've driven that pass all day, but it had to come to an end at Bernera Beach, that had great views over to Skye. I alway tend to go back over a route once I'm home and this time discovered that there is a large ruined army barracks nearby, hence the old military road.

 

Eventually we made it to the shop and cafe for the ferry, which is all run by locals.

We got a very warm and genuine welcome from them which was really nice.

 

The shop is situated higher up the hillside and offers great views of the ferry below and over the short stretch of water to Skye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After buying the obligatory stickers and fridge magnets, we headed down to the pier to await the ferry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The guy in this picture is a Dutch tourist on his first trip to Scotland. He absolutely loved the cars and our scenery and roads. He has a friend with a Donkervoort, that they have taken to the Alps.

 

 

 

 

 

Once on Skye we headed to Broadford for fuel and then down to Armadale for the Calmac ferry over to Mallaig on the mainland. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the view over to the mainland with Mallaig just visible. 

 

 

 

The cars were a big hit whilst waiting for the ferry, with one American over taking about cars and showing me pictures of his Plymouth back home.

 

Once at Mallaig, we headed home via Fort Willam again, but instead of the usual route down Glencoe, we opted for the A828 to Connel Bridge. It is always a much quieter road and is along the coastline. 

 

 

 

We've then headed to Inveraray, where they do fantastic chips.

 

 

 

All in all it was a fantastic run on some new roads that I can recommend 👍

 

I've done almost 1200mls this week alone and am using the Westy for what it was designed for, putting a smile on my face. Here's to some more adventures, weather  permitting. 

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stuart]

Love it. Last time I was at that ferry port I was nearly eaten by midges. Never seen so many

[Craigieboy]

9 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Love it. Last time I was at that ferry port I was nearly eaten by midges. Never seen so many

 

I'm embarrassed to say it was my first visit. Been on the radar for years, but you just keep falling into the same old routine and routes. There really is soo much out there.

Oh and no midges yesterday.

[Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset]

Awesome @Craigieboy! Looks a fabulous drive, great pics and report, thanks 👍