Inverness to Skye

Inverness to Skye road trip itinerary

After checking out of the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness, we suggest your next port of call… the beautiful Isle of Skye. This is a one-day, one-way road trip, starting here in Inverness and ending on Skye. It includes around 3 or 4.5 hours of driving time, depending on whether you take the Skye Bridge or car ferry. We recommend you book your accommodation in Skye before you travel, to ensure availability.

Breakfast: Kingsmills Hotel

Begin with a hearty breakfast at the Kingsmills Hotel, including a tasty hot-cooked breakfast and a variety of continental options. Then, it’s time to check out, say goodbye to our team and set out on your Skye road trip!

Morning: Loch Ness

Your morning journey takes you along the shores of Loch Ness towards Fort Augustus. Head along the A82, which follows the north side of the loch. The journey takes around 1 hour, but there are plenty of places to stop on the way. Stop at Dochgarroch for a Nessie-hunting cruise on the loch with Loch Ness by Jacobite. Visit Drumnadrochit, the home of Nessie, and find out more about the mysterious monster legend at the Loch Ness Centre. Or take in some Scottish history alongside spectacular lochside views at Urquhart Castle.

Lunch: Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus is a picturesque village at the southern tip of Loch Ness. It’s a lovely place to stop for lunch, with a choice of cafes, pubs and restaurants. For example, there’s Beaufort House for tasty pizza, The Lock Inn for pub grub, or The Boathouse for loch views and a unique mix of Scottish and Turkish cuisine. While here, you can enjoy a walk along the Caledonian Canal towpath, sit and watch the boats going through the canal locks and explore the Caledonian Canal Centre.

Afternoon: over the sea to Skye

After lunch, you have a choice of routes to Skye. If you’d like to take the fastest route from Fort Augustus, you can drive over the Skye Bridge, taking around 2 hours. This route along the A87 goes past Eilean Donan Castle, which is a stunning stopping point.

If you choose to take the car ferry instead, the journey time is increased by a further 1.5 hours. This way, on the A830, you’ll pass through the town of Fort William, where you can gaze in awe at Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Britain. You’ll also get the opportunity to see the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, which featured in the Harry Potter films. To see it, you’ll need to park in the Glenfinnan Viaduct car park, just before you get to Glenfinnan village. From here, it’s around a 15-minute walk to the viewpoint. If you time it just right, you’ll see the afternoon train travelling over (check train times). Please note, the car park gets very full when a train is due, so allow plenty of time. Then head to Mallaig for the ferry to Skye. The crossing takes around 30 minutes and you can bring your car onboard.

Evening: Skye

Check into your Skye accommodation and get ready for a fantastic day ahead. You could treat yourself to a Michelin-star meal in one of the island’s top restaurants as you plan your exciting Skye adventures. What will you see first? The Old Man of Storr? The Fairy Pools? Dunvegan Castle? Start planning here.

We hope have a wonderful time on this Inverness to Skye road trip. Discover more road trips from Inverness with these suggested itineraries.