Glencoe to Skye

A Road Trip Through the Highlands You’ll Never Forget

If Scotland had a greatest hits album, the road from Glencoe to Skye would be track one.
Mountains that look hand-painted, lochs that appear out of nowhere, roads that make you question your life choices (and then reward you with a view that leaves you speechless).

This is not just a drive. It’s a slow-motion adventure through some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes. Whether you’re here for the photos, the hikes, or the excuse to eat your body weight in fish and chips, this itinerary has you covered.

We’ll take it easy - 4 days, plenty of stops, and no sense of hurry (you’re in the Highlands now; nothing moves fast except the weather).

Day 0: Arrive in Glencoe - Breathe, You’ve Made It

Let’s be honest - arriving in Glencoe feels like stepping into a fantasy film set. Mist curling over jagged peaks, deer on the roadside, that first lungful of clean, pine-sharp air.

Spend your first evening unwinding. The Clachaig Inn is a classic (and a rite of passage for anyone who loves a pint with a view). If you’ve got daylight to burn, wander down by Loch Leven or take a short drive to the viewpoint above the glen.

Day 1: Glencoe → Fort William → Glenfinnan → Mallaig

Morning - The Glen Etive Detour (You’ve Seen This Movie)

Start your morning with the Glen Etive road, a single track that dives deep into the valley - you’ll recognise it from Skyfall (and about a million Instagram posts). It’s one of those drives that makes you want to stop every ten metres for a photo. Try to resist. You’ll be here all day otherwise.

Swing back to the main road, stop at the Kingshouse Hotel for coffee and a look at the resident deer, who’ll happily photobomb your morning brew.

Midday - Fort William & Glenfinnan Viaduct

Carry on to Fort William, the adventure capital of Scotland. Grab lunch, refuel (car and human), and carry on to Glenfinnan. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is your big cinematic moment - yes, it’s the Harry Potter bridge. Even if you’re not a fan, it’s still wildly impressive.

Down by the loch, the Glenfinnan Monument stands guard (a reminder of the Jacobite rising). Take a wander, soak up the view, and maybe whisper something patriotic to the hills.

Afternoon - The Road to the Isles

From Glenfinnan to Mallaig, the road is pure magic - rolling moors, flashes of silver sea, and villages that look like they’ve been dropped here just to make your photos prettier.

Dinner in Mallaig is non-negotiable. The seafood is fresh enough to stare back at you (in the best way). If you’re catching the ferry to Skye, check the timetable and cross to Armadale tonight. If not, stay near Arisaig or Morar - both have beaches that’ll make you question whether you accidentally drove to the Caribbean.

Overnight: Arisaig / Mallaig area - cosy B&B or loch-side guesthouse.

Day 2: Crossing to Skye - The Gateway to Another World

You’ve got options here : ferry or bridge. Both brilliant, both scenic.

Option A

Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale (Recommended if You Like Romance and Sea Air)
Hop aboard the ferry (it’s about 30 minutes). You’ll dock at the Sleat Peninsula, known as “the garden of Skye.” It’s softer here, with trees, gardens, and a slower pace. Stop by Armadale Castle & Gardens for a stroll and some photos that’ll make your Instagram followers jealous.

Option B

The Skye Bridge (Recommended if You’re a Control Freak About Timetables)
Drive north to Kyle of Lochalsh and take the bridge over Loch Alsh - Skye’s modern link to the mainland. The views are spectacular and, bonus, it’s free.

Once you’re on Skye, make your way to Portree, the island’s colourful capital. Grab dinner by the harbour and prepare yourself: tomorrow, the landscapes get properly wild.

Overnight: Portree or Broadford - somewhere central with good food and a soft bed.#

Day 3: North Skye - The Trotternish Loop (Where Every Corner Deserves a Postcard)

Morning -The Old Man of Storr

Start early - and I mean early. Hike up to the Old Man of Storr before the tour buses arrive. It’s not a long walk, but it’s steep enough to make you rethink your breakfast choices. The payoff? Unreal. The rock pinnacles and the view over the lochs are pure drama.

Midday - Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls, and Staffin

Drive north and stop at Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls - a waterfall that drops straight into the sea (Scotland showing off again). Continue to Staffin, grab lunch at a local café, and, if you’re lucky, find dinosaur footprints on the beach. Real ones. Because apparently the Highlands weren’t dramatic enough already.

Afternoon: Quiraing and Fairy Glen

The Quiraing is an alien landscape - cliffs, crags, and shapes that defy logic. It’s one of the best walks in Scotland, even if the wind occasionally tries to blow you into the next glen.
On your way back, stop at the Fairy Glen near Uig, a miniature landscape of green mounds and spirals. No fairies spotted yet, but it’s not for lack of trying.

Evening: Drive to Dunvegan

Have dinner and, if the light’s good, finish the day at Neist Point Lighthouse. It’s the kind of sunset that makes even the locals pause.

Overnight

Dunvegan or back in Portree.

Day 4: Cuillin Mountains, Fairy Pools, and Farewell Whisky

Morning -The Fairy Pools

(Bring Waterproof Everything)
The Fairy Pools are one of Skye’s most famous spots, and for good reason. Clear blue water tumbling through black rock, framed by the Cuillin Mountains. The walk is easy, but it’s often windy - welcome to Skye. Don’t be that person who goes for a “quick dip” and regrets it 30 seconds later.

Midday - Sligachan & the Cuillin View

Drive through Sligachan, where legend says washing your face in the river will grant eternal beauty. Worth a shot. Grab lunch at the hotel bar - hearty, simple, and full of hill-walkers swapping stories about “that time the weather turned.”

Afternoon - Talisker Distillery & Carbost

End your trip with a visit to Talisker Distillery. Even if you don’t drink whisky, it’s worth it for the smell alone - smoky, sweet, unmistakably Skye. Take the tour, raise a glass, and toast to the island that ruined all other landscapes for you.

Evening

If you’re heading back to the mainland, stay near Kyleakin for an easy departure. If you’ve got one more night, linger. Watch the light fade over the Cuillin and listen to the silence. It’s addictive.

Practical Tips (Because You’ll Thank Yourself Later)

• Driving Times: They look short on the map. They’re not. Highland roads twist, rise, and stop for sheep.

• Single Tracks: Take your time, wave when people let you pass, and remember, the passing place is your friend, not a parking space.

• Fuel Up: Petrol stations can be far apart. Fill up before you need to.

• Weather: Four seasons in an hour. Always have waterproofs in the boot.

• Booking: Accommodation on Skye sells out fast, especially in summer. Book early or risk sleeping in your car (picturesque, but not ideal).