Glasgow to Isle of Skye road trip: complete guide

Ready for a Glasgow to the Isle of Skye road trip? This spectacular Scottish adventure takes in some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery… moors, mountains, glens and stunning coastline are all here.

From Loch Lomond to Ben Nevis, we’ve gathered all of the most incredible stops along the way so that you can make the most of your time on the road. Read on to start planning your holiday!

Best Glasgow to the Isle of Skye road trip: 7 places you can’t miss

The journey fromGlasgow to Portree, Skye’s capital, is about 216 miles on a direct route with an overall driving time of 5-6 hours. Our expert guide uses a slightly longer journey of 247 miles, to take in a few extra awesome destinations along the way! Here’s how it’s done.

Total distance : about 250 miles | Recommended days : 5 days | Best time to do the route : summer | See route in Google Maps

1. Glasgow

We’ve included Glasgow as our first “stop”, as Scotland’s most populous city isn’t one to miss! It’s a top city for live music, plus gardens and museums like People’s Palace and Winter Gardens and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Scotland’s most visited attraction. Kids will love the Glasgow Science Centre while art fans should make for the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art.

Don’t forget shopping either: Glasgow is rated as having the best shopping in the UK outside London. Buchanan Galleries, Buchanan Quarter, Sauchiehall Street, St Enoch Square and Merchants Square are the main Glasgow shopping centres – go for the “Style Mile” around Buchanan St, Argyle St and Merchant City for fashion, and the shops of the West End for independent options. Argyll Arcade, the oldest shopping arcade in Glasgow, is famous for its jewellery shops.

2. Loch Lomond

The first stop on our route to Skye is lovely Loch Lomond, the highlight of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. At 22.6 miles long and almost five miles wide at its broadest point, the loch is the biggest in Great Britain by surface area and is one of the country’s most popular stops.

Aim to spend the full day here if possible, as there’s heaps to do. The lochside town of Balloch on the south shore of the loch is a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch as well as some shopping at Loch Lomond Shores. After that, the easiest way to see the sights is with a Loch Lomond cruise via one of the several operators on the western shore, and passing stunning little islands like Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach.

The journey from Glasgow to Loch Lomond is 25 miles, going west from Glasgow and crossing the River Clyde to Old Kirkpatrick. Dumbarton and Dumbarton Castle are on the way.

3. Inveraray

The next part of the road trip is fromLoch Lomond to Inveraray (40 miles), along the western shore of the loch and passing close to Ben Lomond. Inveraray, on the western shore of beautiful Loch Fyne, is a former royal burgh and the ancestral home to the Duke of Argyll, head of the Campbell clan. The family still live at Inveraray Castle, which is open to visitors.

As well as the castle, Inveraray is known for the 19th-century Inveraray Jail, now an award-winning museum. You could also visit the Argyll Folk Museum at Auchindrain, or climb the Inveraray bell tower to look over the town.

4. Rannoch Moor

A beautifully scenic stop next! Head to the Highlands wildlife haven and wide-open space of Rannoch Moor, a moorland habitat and Site of Special Scientific Interest often described as the last remaining wilderness in Britain. A lot of the moor’s western side is part of the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area, a lovely part of the Highlands that also includes the gorgeous areas of Glen Coe and Glen Nevis, both popular film set locations. Rannoch Moor itself was used as the filming location for the TV drama Outlander.

Sightseeing and activity options around Rannoch Moor include taking in the views from Rannoch Moor Viewpoint or taking the Rannoch Moor Trail from the A82 car park at Bridge of Orchy (postcode PA36 4AG). Part of the West Highland Way crosses the western part of the moor (also from Bridge of Orchy). Or hike from Kinlochleven to the Blackwater Dam to Loch Ossian; from there, follow the trail Loch Treig and then Spean Bridge.

Inveraray to Rannoch Moor is 42 miles.

5. Fort William

Get ready for some outdoor adventuring now, after a 31-mile journey fromRannoch Moor to Fort William! Nicknamed the outdoor capital of the UK, Fort William is in a region of the Highlands packed with things to do, with easy access to plenty of hillwalking and climbing. The West Highland Way (96 miles from Fort William to Milngavie) and the Great Glen Way (78 miles from Fort William to Inverness, passing Loch Ness) both start here.

Mountain biking is also popular here; the UCI mountain bike World Cup is often held at Fort William. For sightseeing, try the West Highland Museum in Cameron Square, which tells the story of the region from Jacobite times, or take the Jacobite Steam Train, aka the Hogwarts Express, from Fort William west to Mallaig.

6. Ben Nevis

If you’d prefer something even more strenuous while around Fort William, use the town as a base to climb Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.

Nevis is 1,345 metres (4,413 ft) high, accessed by most climbers on the Mountain Track from Glen Nevis, and some by scrambling or rock climbing on the north face cliffs. It should take about five hours to ascend and descend the mountain – or a little more if you stop for refreshments at the restaurant at the top! Another option for seeing local mountain views is to take the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola on nearby Aonach Mòr, the eighth highest mountain in Britain.

7. Kyle of Lochalsh

We’re nearly at the Isle of Skye now, but take your time before crossing the Skye Bridge to take in another scenic stop! The village Kyle of Lochalsh on the Lochalsh Peninsula and at the entrance to Loch Alsh is as close as possible to Skye, as it’s opposite the village of Kyleakin on the island. It’s also yet another Highlands filming location: the village and neighbouring Plockton were the settings of the TV series Hamish Macbeth.

Arrange a wildlife-watching trip on a glass-bottomed boat to start your Kyle of Lochalsh sightseeing, then head for the community parkland and wildlife haven of The Plock to see deer, sea eagles and herons. Guided walks around The Plock run from June to September. For a self-guided walk, take one of the marked trails or off-trail footpaths, or hike the woodland trail for peninsula views.

Ben Nevis/Fort William to Kyle of Lochalsh is a journey of 74 miles, with an optional detour west to Loch Arkaig. The route passes Invercarry, an access point for Loch Oich, Loch Garry, Invergarry Castle and the Glengarry Forest. You’ll also pass Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic sights.

When you’re ready to make the trip to Skye, the Skye Bridge is just a mile from Kyle of Lochalsh. Drive onto the island and make for capital Portree as an ideal base for Skye exploring.

Check out the best motorhome campsites on the Isle of Skye .

Hire a van in Glasgow for your Skye camping trip

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Prefer to set off from Edinburgh? We’ve got you covered! Check out our road trip fromEdinburgh to the Isle of Skye.

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