A Short Guide To Visiting Kyle of Lochalsh
Thinking of visiting Kyle of Lochalsh on your travels through Scotland? I recently visited and I’m sharing everything you need to know about Kyle of Lochalsh, including where to eat, stay, and what to see.
Perched on Scotland’s west coast, the harbour town of Kyle of Lochalsh is best known as the gateway to Skye, with the iconic Skye Bridge providing a link from the mainland.
Sadly, most travellers only see Kyle of Lochalsh from their car window, as they pass through on their way to the Misty Isle. Yet Kyle of Lochalsh is an incredible area, packed with stunning Highland scenery, fairytale castles, quaint villages, and cosy restaurants.
I recently spent a few weeks in and around Kyle of Lochalsh, and can confirm it’s well worth exploring, whether you have a day or a few hours.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Kyle of Lochalsh, including where to stay, eat, and things to see & do. Plus, I’ll also give you things to see on your journey to into town, because the road from Kintail to Kyle is scattered with incredible views, walks, and sites.
Lastly, I’m going to share practical advice for visiting this largely rural area and what to expect whilst you’re here.
Where is Kyle of Lochalsh?
Kyle of Lochalsh is situated on the Scottish west coast, on the Lochalsh peninsula. Kyle neighbours the mountainous area of Kintail and is home to three sea lochs which meet at the tidal castle Eilean Donan: Loch Alsh, Loch Duich, and Loch Long.
The closest town is Plockton, a 15-minute drive north. Whilst Portree on Skye is a 45-minute drive west.
Kyle of Lochalsh Travel Tips
Be organised
Whilst you want to leave room in your itinerary for spontaneous explores, you’ll also want to be reasonably organised when visiting Kyle of Lochalsh. This is a rural area and there’s limited amenities, so do your research and know where to find fuel stations, shops, etc.
Fuel
It’s best to fuel up before coming to Kyle of Lochalsh - there are fuel stations here and they tend be expensive. However, there is a Gulf in Kyle (here) and a Jet along the road at Inverinate (here).
Shops
The best stocked shops in Kyle of Lochalsh are the Co-Op (here) and Spar at nearby Balmacara (here). Otherwise, you’ll find an incredible butcher and deli in Kyle.
Offline Google Maps
Save essentials like fuel stations, castles, walking trails, your accommodation etc in Google Maps and then download an offline map. Signal isn’t always reliable in the Highlands.
Book in advance
When possible, book tickets to popular attractions or tours in advance to guarantee your place.
Eat & drink
There’s incredible restaurants & cafes in and around Kyle of Lochalsh, which I’ll share below. One thing that is absolutely essential is that you book in advance, especially during the busy summer months.
Stay
Accommodation in this part of Scotland tends to be small hotels, inns, or guest houses and they have limited rooms. Again, you will also need to book in advance.
When to visit
If you can, visit Kyle of Lochalsh in the shoulder seasons, so between April and June, and September to November. The crowds at popular spots are less and the weather is generally mild.
How to get to Kyle of Lochalsh
By car
The easiest way to get to Kyle of Lochalsh is by car, especially if you’re on a Scotland road trip. This is a rural area, and public transport can be infrequent, so a car will give you freedom to explore.
Assuming you’re coming from the south, from Edinburgh the 200-mile drive to Kyle of Lochalsh takes around 4.5-hours and is a straight-forward route along the A9.
However, if you have time, then I recommend the longer route through the Trossachs National Park and Glencoe. This will add another hour to your journey, but it passes through some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery and is worth the extra miles.
From Inverness, the drive to Kyle is around 2-hours.
By train
Alternatively, the train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh takes around 2.5-hours and the line passes through gorgeous landscapes. There’s four trains a day, and single tickets cost £28.30 per adult. You can check times and book your ticket here.
From Edinburgh the train to Kyle of Lochalsh isn’t so ideal as it takes a much longer 7-hours. Plus you’d need to change trains in Inverness. But it does offer a memorable experience and more incredible views. You can check times and book your ticket here.
By bus
Finally, Citylink buses from Glasgow (5.5-hours) and Inverness (2-hours) stop at Kyle of Lochalsh on their way to Skye. Book tickets and plan your journey here.
Kyle of Lochalsh & Skye tour
Or, take away the stress of driving and public transport, and visit Kyle of Lochalsh on an organised tour. These tours are highly rated and have hundreds of excellent reviews:
From Inverness: This excellent 1-day trip is ideal for those who base themselves in Inverness, and includes stops at Eilean Donan Castle, Kintail, Kyle of Lochalsh, and onwards to the most popular sites on the Isle of Skye. Book here.
From Edinburgh: If you’re based in Edinburgh or want a longer tour, this incredible 3-day Scottish Highlands tour includes stops at Oban, Glenfinnan, Fort William, Loch Ness, Kintail, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Skye. Book here.
Best things to do in Kyle of Lochalsh
Most visitors are drawn here for the incredibly beautiful landscapes, and best things to do in Kyle of Lochalsh and the surrounding area are most definitely outdoor adventures.
1. Soak in the Scenery
One of the best things to do at Kyle of Lochalsh is enjoy the landscapes, so pack your walking boots. Nearby are a range of challenging but amazing hiking trails, like the Five Sisters of Kintail.
Or for an easier walk, there’s pretty Balmacara woodland walks or Glen Lichd at Morvich.
Plus, there’s plenty of natural landscapes to soak in, including Loch Duich and the Falls of Glomach.
2. Explore the Town
Whilst in the town, the best things to do in Kyle of Lochalsh is simply follow your feet around the small and very walkable town.
Visit its independent stores like Skye Bridge Distillery, Right on the Corner, and Beth's Delicatessen.
Next, sample the best seafood in Kyle of Lochalsh at the Fisherman’s Kitchen.
Then visit this viewpoint over to the Isle of Skye.
Another of the best things to do in Kyle of Lochalsh is visit community parkland The Plock, where you’ll find a wonderful short walk. From atop this high point you can enjoy views over the Skye Bridge at this incredible viewpoint.
3. Explore Nearby villages
There’s quaint villages to visit on the road to Kyle of Lochalsh, like picturesque Dornie.
Alternatively, from Kyle of Lochalsh take a day trip to nearby Plockton, a quaint Highland village fringed with swaying palm trees.
Whilst the remote coastal village of Glenelg is nearby and has some of the best views on the Scottish west coast.
4. Visit Eilean Donan Castle
Whilst visiting iconic Eilean Donan Castle is one of the best things to do in the Lochalsh area.
5. Visit The Isle of Skye
Finally, the Isle of Skye is of course only a short drive over the Skye Bridge. Depending on how much time you have, be sure to visit its capital Portree which is only a 45-minute drive from Kyle of Lochalsh.
If you have longer, then stay in one of Portree’s hotels and explore the island’s most iconic sites.
Kyle of Lochalsh restaurants & Cafes
Kintail Lodge Hotel, Glen Shiel
Possibly my favourite restaurant in the Kyle of Lochalsh area, you’ll want to book a table well in advance. The restaurant in the Kintail Lodge Hotel serves a varied menu with crowd pleasing favourites like venison sausages with mash, a double-stack burger, and pan-fried scallops. Book a table here.
The Clachan, Dornie
In the village of Dornie, the Clachan serves hearty pub grub like steak burgers, fish & chips, and sausages with mash. Inside is cosy and traditional, with friendly staff and weekly live music sessions. Book a table here.
All The Goodness, Dornie
You’ll find All The Goodness next to Eilean Donan Castle, serving a range of cookies, pastries, and cakes. The menu changes daily but choose from the likes of squidgy brownies, rich fruit cake, and sticky cinnamon buns. Everything is freshly baked onsite, plus there’s an extensive hot drinks menu from excellent coffee to matcha tea and organic hot chocolate. And whilst this is a takeaway, everything is served in plant based Vegware. Find it here.
Arnie’s Fish & Chip Van, Lochalsh
Delicious fish & chips to take away from Arnie’s mobile van. There’s a range of fish to choose from, from classic haddock to lemon sole and monkfish. Of course, it’s all freshly caught near Skye. The van moves around the Lochalsh area; find out where it’ll be here.
The Pitstop at Kintail, Ault a'chruinn
This cafe is on the road to Kyle of Lochalsh, so its a great option if you’re passing through or walking at nearby Kintail. The breakfast menu is served until 12pm and will set you up for a day of exploring. If you’re eating later in the day, the full menu is available till 7.30pm and includes chilli, halloumi fries, toasties, and loaded fries. Find it here.
Fisherman’s Kitchen, Kyle of Lochalsh
The Fisherman’s Kitchen is a Kyle of Lochalsh seafood institution. The clues in the name that the speciality here is fish and seafood - langoustines, crab, mussels, haddock, monk, and scallops. Tuck into a freshly prepared takeaway or buy locally caught seafood to cook at home. Find it here.
Lighthouse Coffee, Kyle of Lochalsh
If you’re looking for a coffee break in Kyle of Lochalsh, this top-rated little cafe serves locally roasted coffee and a range of TeaPigs teas. It’s based on the high street and also serves freshy baked pastries. Find it here.
Manuela's Wee Bakery, Dornie
You’ll find Manuela's Wee Bakery tucked away along a side road near Eilean Donan Castle. This unassuming bakery hides a world of quirky delights, with a German fairytale-inspired garden, gin distillery, and pizza takeaway. There’s plenty of choice in the bakery too, like fresh rustic breads, cookies, muffins, and croissants. Find it here.
Kyle of Lochalsh Hotels
Although you’ll likely be visiting Kyle of Lochalsh and the surrounding area on your way to Skye, there are accommodation options if you wish to stay longer. If you’re looking tackle any of the hikes in the area, like the Five Sisters of Kintail, then you’ll definitely want to stay for at least a night.
The best rated Kyle of Lochalsh hotels are small, independent hotels, or privately run guest houses and B&Bs. Because these tend to have only a handful rooms it’s important to book in advance to guarantee your stay.
Finally, if you’re looking for a stay close to a village with a restaurant and pub, then Dornie is your best option.
Hotels
Kintail Lodge Hotel is the best hotel in the Lochalsh area and their restaurant serves incredible food. Whilst The Dornie Hotel has several rooms and though expensive does have top reviews for its location.
Guest houses
The best guest houses in the Kyle of Lochalsh area with excellent reviews are:
Cottages
If you’re looking to book a group stay, or want to stay longer, then I recommend booking a traditional cottage. These Kyle of Lochalsh cottages all have excellent reviews:
Lag Cottage (2-bedrooms)
Loch Shore Cottage (2-bedrooms)
Tigh a Phailean (2 bedrooms)
Craggan Cottage (2-bedrooms)
Ceol Na Ron (3-bedrooms)
The Old Post House (3-bedrooms)
Kyle of Lochalsh travel guide: nearby Kintail Lodge Hotel
Kyle of Lochalsh Campsites
The best Kyle of Lochalsh campsite, for tents and campervans, is undoubtedly Ardelve Caravan & Camping Park. Situated on the waterfront, it has views over Loch Alsh to Eilean Donan Castle, which is only a 10-minute walk.
But I’d also recommend both Reraig Caravan & Camping and Glen Shiel Campsite, lovely parks with good facilities.
Similar to hotels, you’ll want to book your campsite in advance.
You can also find out more about Kyle of Lochalsh campsites, and the best campervan park ups, here.
