Skye to Inverness (via Loch Ness)
122 miles | 3 hours driving | Google Map
Today, leave the Isle of Skye via the (free) Skye Road Bridge, heading east and back onto the mainland. Your route includes some of the most iconic sights of the West Highlands: first, the picturesque village of Plockton, with palm-fringed streets and waterfront cafés that invite a stroll and a coffee stop.
Next, visit Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed landmarks, set dramatically where three lochs meet. Take some time to explore before continuing your journey east through the rugged beauty of Kintail. The road winds past mountains, lochs, and glens, gradually opening onto the shores of Loch Ness as you make your way toward Inverness.
This is a full day of driving and sightseeing, so feel free to pause at viewpoints, cafés, or villages along the way. Allow the late afternoon onward to soak up the highlights of Inverness, a friendly city known for good food, live music, and its leafy river.
Skye Bridge
Portree → Skye Bridge
Leave Portree heading south towards the A87, the island’s main spine road. This is the most direct and straightforward way off Skye, passing through Broadford and Sconser. Note that you can fuel up in Broadford if required. Continue until you cross the Skye Road Bridge, which joins the island with the Scottish mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh.
Route Note
Skye Bridge → Plockton (Short Detour)
Once over the bridge, remain on the A87 for a short distance, then take the signed turn-off for Plockton. This is a brief detour from your main route south, adding only a small amount of time to your drive. The final approach to the village is on narrower local roads; take it slowly and watch for passing places.
Plockton
Plockton is a charming, postcard-perfect Scottish village set on the shores of Loch Carron, framed by classic Highland hills. Visiting here is a short detour from your main route, but very much worth it. The village is centred on a small harbour lined with colourful cottages, fishing boats, and a stretch of sandy beach, creating a picturesque spot to pause and take in the scenery.
The village itself is easy to explore on foot, with a handful of cafés, restaurants, and boutique shops tucked along the waterfront.
The surrounding area offers gentle lochside walks and short trails through nearby woodlands, making it a lovely stop for a relaxed stroll or a moment to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Plockton is an ideal place to soak up the quintessential Highland landscape, watch the boats on the loch, and enjoy a peaceful pause before continuing your journey.
Directions: Plockton car park
Parking: a tight car park that can get quite busy. £1 suggested donation. If there are spaces on Innes Road around the Bowling Club, it might be better to park there.
Time: around 1 hour to detour and explore Plockton.
Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle is the most famous & photographed castle in Scotland. As such, it’s a rather busy attraction – but for good reason. If you want to see inside the castle, it’s £12 per adult, plus parking fees (pay at the gate). Alternatively, admire the castle and its distinctive rocky setting from its walls.
Here are two viewpoints you should visit:
Dornie Community Hall: donation parking in a small car park with toilets. Great view to the castle but you’ll need a zoom lens. You can walk along the bridge for a closer view.
Eilean Donan lookout: up a steep single-track road with only a small layby for 4 or 5 vehicles, but it’s the best view of the castle.
Directions: large car park
Parking: £3 for 2 hours.
Time: 15 minutes just to park and take a photo. Around an hour to stop in for a visit.
optional: All The Goodness Coffee & Bakes
Visit this family-run bakery, serving up great coffee and even better pastries!
Directions: bakery car park (or walk from the castle car park)
Route Note
Eilean Donan Castle → Loch Ness (via Invermoriston & Urquhart Castle)
Leaving Eilean Donan Castle, rejoin the A87 and continue east toward Invergarry. This scenic, generally straightforward drive skirts lochs and passes through classic Highland landscapes. After around 30 minutes, you’ll reach Invergarry, where you turn left onto the A82, the main road running along the length of Loch Ness.
Follow the A82 south for a short distance before turning right onto the A887, signposted for Invermoriston. This quieter road is a lovely change of pace, winding through woodland and glen scenery before descending into the village. Invermoriston makes a worthwhile pause, with short riverside walks, stone bridges, and viewpoints over the cascades where the River Moriston meets Loch Ness.
From Invermoriston, return to the A887 briefly, then rejoin the A82 heading north along the western shore of Loch Ness. The road closely follows the loch here, with frequent viewpoints and lay-bys where you can stop to take in the scale and atmosphere of the water.
After around 15 minutes, you’ll reach Urquhart Castle, dramatically positioned on a headland overlooking the loch.
Invermoriston Falls
A quick but postcard-perfect stop at the little village of Invermoriston lets you visit the impressive falls and ancient bridge. A short walk takes you from the car park to the bridge viewpoint, and you can follow the (again short) trail to the old bridge.
Directions: free parking
Waterfall viewpoint: find it here
Cafe: Glen Rowan Cafe
Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness
Next, stop at Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland’s most evocative ruins, perched dramatically above the water.
To visit Urquhart Castle, book your tickets well in advance; this can be a busy spot! Tickets cost £14 each and can be purchased here. Please choose an entry slot for your car at the same time.
Alternatively, park in the village of Drumnadrochit (aka Drum), and walk the 40-minute roadside trail to the castle viewpoint and entrance. The views of the ruins and Loch Ness are exceptional.
Castle parking: Castle car park
Directions: free parking in Drum
Castle viewpoint: find it here on the hill above the castle.