disabledtraveler
Sept 2023
4
Disabled Travellers Isle of Skye tour (part one) number 10, LOCH DUICH
The final leg as we leave the main land, having travelled from Edinburgh to the west coast of Scotland, an outstanding day trip, even though the weather was against us today, rain and low clouds for most of the time, but still worth our while.
Having departed From Chocolates of Shiel, stay ahead for a few yards on the A87, then after crossing the river Shiel and going round a left bend, look out for the roadside sign
post for Ratagan, letterfearn and Glenelg, then a few yards later, TURN LEFT on the “FERRY” sign. (Its opposite a pull in on the right for a bus stop)
We highlight this as you must NOT MISS THIS TURN OFF to the left, for “FERRY”
==================================================================
HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE IN A RUSH NOW TO GET TO THE ISLE OF SKYE, THEN YOU MUST STAY ON THIS A87 STRAIGHT AHEAD, TOWARDS KYLE OF LOCHALSH.
this route will take you over the new bridge and across to the Isle of Skye, at Kyleakin. It’s only a 19 mile drive of some 27 minutes.
==================================================================
But if you have time, then follow our recommended drive through open countryside views and along to Glenelg, to catch the Ferry across to the Isle of Skye, far more interesting this way, as it’s a very scenic journey through an area known as LOCHALSH.
It’s a road so many miss, so it’s very quiet, with some outstanding views, and just a
9 minute drive of some 21 minutes.
LOCH DUICH
This is now our first SEA LOCH, it’s situated on the western coast of Scotland.
At the first turn off to right, YOU STAY AHEAD to follow towards Glenelg, and you travel for a while along the “Old Military Road”
There are a number of pull ins on the left, but these are to allow cars to pass each other,
So you are very limited as to seeing the views over Loch Duich, but passengers may turn their heads and look behind to have a lovely view towards “ The Five Sisters” .
This area is an outstanding example of the Scottish Highlands, and no trip would be complete without a visit to Loch Duich, and The Five Sisters is a fitting backdrop for this picturesque Loch.
Along this route you may just glance views of some of the wildlife, but one outstanding view you will not get is that of the reef structures below the waters. It’s part of the “Special area of conservation, and a marine protected area, that this loch offers, with a variety of rare reef vegetation and animal life they shelter.
Just before you pull away from the Loch, you may just be fortunate enough to see a small pod of PORPOISES, or maybe a OTTER along the shores.
The original Military Road was built to get troops down to Bernera Barracks, built during 1717-1723, to control the Jacobite rising that started in 1715, and then in 1719 British troops burned many homesteads that stood on Loch Duich shores, just before the “Battle of Glen Shiel” a few months later. The stone that was used for building came from nearby quarries. The troops stationed here also had to control the crossing to Skye.
The old barracks are now ruins, which it is felt happened after the troops finally withdrew in 1797.
The old route was then rebuilt about 1815-1820 (then rebuilt again in the 1980’s) now know as “The Old Military Road” which is 9.1 miles long (14.6km) to get you from Glen Shiel and to the coast at Glenelg.
It’s a tarmac, narrow one lane route that winds and twists away through the Ratagan forest, it’s an exhilarating drive, with lovely views, but it’s not an easy drive, very steep at times, up to 15%, before it reaches its highest point at 348m above sea level, but it has some outstanding views to see, and if you enjoy taking photos, this is an ideal Scottish highland trip.
The final leg as we leave the main land, having travelled from Edinburgh to the west coast of Scotland, an outstanding day trip, even though the weather was against us today, rain and low clouds for most of the time, but still worth our while.
Having departed From Chocolates of Shiel, stay ahead for a few yards on the A87, then after crossing the river Shiel and going round a left bend, look out for the roadside sign
post for Ratagan, letterfearn and Glenelg, then a few yards later, TURN LEFT on the “FERRY” sign. (Its opposite a pull in on the right for a bus stop)
We highlight this as you must NOT MISS THIS TURN OFF to the left, for “FERRY”
==================================================================
HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE IN A RUSH NOW TO GET TO THE ISLE OF SKYE, THEN YOU MUST STAY ON THIS A87 STRAIGHT AHEAD, TOWARDS KYLE OF LOCHALSH.
this route will take you over the new bridge and across to the Isle of Skye, at Kyleakin. It’s only a 19 mile drive of some 27 minutes.
==================================================================
But if you have time, then follow our recommended drive through open countryside views and along to Glenelg, to catch the Ferry across to the Isle of Skye, far more interesting this way, as it’s a very scenic journey through an area known as LOCHALSH.
It’s a road so many miss, so it’s very quiet, with some outstanding views, and just a
9 minute drive of some 21 minutes.
LOCH DUICH
This is now our first SEA LOCH, it’s situated on the western coast of Scotland.
At the first turn off to right, YOU STAY AHEAD to follow towards Glenelg, and you travel for a while along the “Old Military Road”
There are a number of pull ins on the left, but these are to allow cars to pass each other,
So you are very limited as to seeing the views over Loch Duich, but passengers may turn their heads and look behind to have a lovely view towards “ The Five Sisters” .
This area is an outstanding example of the Scottish Highlands, and no trip would be complete without a visit to Loch Duich, and The Five Sisters is a fitting backdrop for this picturesque Loch.
Along this route you may just glance views of some of the wildlife, but one outstanding view you will not get is that of the reef structures below the waters. It’s part of the “Special area of conservation, and a marine protected area, that this loch offers, with a variety of rare reef vegetation and animal life they shelter.
Just before you pull away from the Loch, you may just be fortunate enough to see a small pod of PORPOISES, or maybe a OTTER along the shores.
The original Military Road was built to get troops down to Bernera Barracks, built during 1717-1723, to control the Jacobite rising that started in 1715, and then in 1719 British troops burned many homesteads that stood on Loch Duich shores, just before the “Battle of Glen Shiel” a few months later. The stone that was used for building came from nearby quarries. The troops stationed here also had to control the crossing to Skye.
The old barracks are now ruins, which it is felt happened after the troops finally withdrew in 1797.
The old route was then rebuilt about 1815-1820 (then rebuilt again in the 1980’s) now know as “The Old Military Road” which is 9.1 miles long (14.6km) to get you from Glen Shiel and to the coast at Glenelg.
It’s a tarmac, narrow one lane route that winds and twists away through the Ratagan forest, it’s an exhilarating drive, with lovely views, but it’s not an easy drive, very steep at times, up to 15%, before it reaches its highest point at 348m above sea level, but it has some outstanding views to see, and if you enjoy taking photos, this is an ideal Scottish highland trip.
