Glenelg - 15 minutes away
Up and over the high pass providing unrivalled views of the
loch and castle, the road wends its way back down into
Glenelg. The brochs at Glenelg are some of the best examples to be seen of iron age architecture anywhere
and the Jacobite fort at Glenelg itself is also worth a
visit. At the end of the road (follow the signs) is
the small ferry that sails to Kylerhea on the Isle of Skye.
Kylerhea - across on the ferry from Glenelg to Skye
Otters abound here as its the location of an otter sanctuary. It can take a while to 'get your eye in' but patience and simply sitting quietly will enable to to watch as the otters play and hunt.
Plockton - 30 minutes
Plockton, also known as the Jewel in the Highlands is one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland. Sitting at the entrance to Loch Carron, Plockton's palm lined main street leads to a small harbour overlooking the Applecross Hills (second oldest mountains in the world) where passengers can embark on hourly seal trip cruises.
Kyle of Lochalsh - 20 minutes
The new promenade and marina with pontoons offers a tranquil setting to sit and watch the prawn fishermen in the loch or the ferry running to and fro from Skye. Seal trips, cruises and a glass bottomed boat leave from the pier here or if you prefer dry land a three minute walk up the Pladaig takes you out of the village on to the road to Plockton that overlooks the Sound of Sleat and Raasay with its (extinct) volcano Dun Caan. On the Ploc of Kyle is a golf course and turning right before you get there takes you up to the viewpoint that commands views to all points of the compass. Kyle is the transport centre for the area and as such has bus and train stations which connect to Inverness and the South, while buses, ferries and the Skye Bridge connect to Skye and the outer isles. Kyle has all the usual shops and banks you would expect, it even has its own heated swimming pool.
This is also the location of Medical amenities.
Skye
The Isle of Skye is approached via the Skye Bridge (or as
above by ferry) and as you drive up to it, the Cuillin Hills can be seen rising steeply out of the Sound of Sleat. Although its possible to drive round Skye in a day, subsequent visits will enable you to explore this magical island in more detail. Places you must see: Portree (the capital) and the Aros Centre, Staffin, The Storr and Quairaing, Flodigarry, Dunvegan Castle, Sleat, Clan Donald Centre, Talisker Distillery, Uig and the Fairy Glen and of course... the wildlife, the Cuillins (try a walk from Sligachan and Elgol or a rope climb to 3000 feet for the more experienced moutaineers), Waterfalls, hidden lochs, wild flowers, fishing, boat trips and golf.
The Outer Isles
Its possible by leaving early in the morning to visit Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Check timetables for sailings. The ferry leaves Uig on Skye and arrives a short while later in Tarbert on the Isle of Lewis. For Raasay take the ferry from Sconser, mid Skye.
Further afield
Gairloch (1+ hour) has miles of (quiet) white sandy beaches - ideal for children and adults alike.
Loch Maree (1 hour) - Scotland's most beautiful inland loch and nature reserve.
Poolewe (1+ hour) with its world famous Inverewe Gardens built in 1862 by Osgood MacKenzie.
Applecross (1+ hour) - Over the highest mountain pass in Britain, the Beallach na Ba, lies the time trapped village of Applecross. Driving over the pass with its 3 hairpin bends and steep gradients is not for the faint hearted but the thrill of looking back when you reach the summit is indescribable. Reaching the far side you come to Applecross, a charming shore-side village changed little for centuries. Its worth going on to the end of the road at Toscaig before returning 'the long way round'.
Fort Augustus, Inverness, Dingwall and Fort William are all around 1½ hours distant.
|

|
Looking along Lochalsh to loch
Duich |
|