Scotland Grand Tour - is it actually viable?

[Teapot42]

I spotted this on the Scotrail website:
Scottish Grand Tour

I like the idea, and it's an area I've wanted to visit for a while, but digging in to the details I'm not actually sure whether it's viable to complete the route, at least not unless you are planning a long time in advance.

The main problem seems to be the Mallaig to Kyle section - the ferries and buses don't seem to connect at all well, especially as the 51 which used to run from Armadale to Kyle no longer exists, and other connections are quite poor.

It's possible the idea is to stay either on Skye or Mallaig / Kyle for one night, but accommodation there seems to be scarce and booked up weeks or months in advance.

Can anyone see a way I've missed to complete the circle without staying in the area and doing most in daylight?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Can anyone see a way I've missed to complete the circle without staying in the area and doing most in daylight?

Do it June and book a taxi between Armadale + Kyle of Lochalsh?

 

[8ace]

I've tried to the last two years running but have failed both times.

Thread about it here Kyle of Lochalsh To Mallaig via Skye | RailUK Forums
The first time the ferry to Armadale wasn't cancelled because of the weather.
This year my train was late into Inverness and they didn't hold the train to Wick. As I hadn't done the Far North line I opted to do that the next day instead of going to Kyle/Skye/Mallaig/Glasgow.

 

[Teapot42]

Do it June and book a taxi between Armadale + Kyle of Lochalsh?

I was actually considering doing it next week!

Yes, taxi was the only way I can see, but that seems to add a lot to the cost.

 

[Teapot42]

I've tried to the last two years running but have failed both times.

Thread about it here Kyle of Lochalsh To Mallaig via Skye | RailUK Forums
The first time the ferry to Armadale wasn't cancelled because of the weather.
This year my train was late into Inverness and they didn't hold the train to Wick. As I hadn't done the Far North line I opted to do that the next day instead of going to Kyle/Skye/Mallaig/Glasgow.

Thanks, it does seem like a big risk that something will go amiss... I also can't see any obvious Mallaig to Kyle buses / coaches which would allow the ferry to be bypassed.

How scenic is the run from Fort William to Mallaig? As the other idea was to get to Fort William then get the coach up to Kyle and skip Skye - it would be a shame, but getting stranded around there is not at all appealing!

 

[8ace]

Thanks, it does seem like a big risk that something will go amiss... I also can't see any obvious Mallaig to Kyle buses / coaches which would allow the ferry to be bypassed.

How scenic is the run from Fort William to Mallaig? As the other idea was to get to Fort William then get the coach up to Kyle and skip Skye - it would be a shame, but getting stranded around there is not at all appealing!

It's very scenic, arguably the best bit - Helensburgh to FW and the Kyle are not too shabby either though. On my first attempt I ended up bailing at FW and getting the City Link to Kyle as the guard announced on that the ferry was cancelled when we were crossing Rannoch Moor. For someone who's not the biggest fan of coaches I actually enjoyed it, you get to see some sights that you wouldn't from the railway such as the Great Glen and Eilean Donan castle. My advice would be to go for it, especially if you haven't done the West Highland before, but have a back up plan(s). And take warm/waterproof clothes!

 

[3RDGEN]

If your going to do the full circle then you need to have a break overnight, Glasgow - Inverness - Kyle/Skye then Kyle/Skye - Mallaig - Glasgow in two or more days would be my suggestion. As you have seen it needs planning well in advance with accommodation on Skye limited and expensive, Inverness - Skye - Glasgow is possible on paper on certain days but it's very tight and the ferry link is always a risk.

 

[Teapot42]

If your going to do the full circle then you need to have a break overnight, Glasgow - Inverness - Kyle/Skye then Kyle/Skye - Mallaig - Glasgow in two or more days would be my suggestion. As you have seen it needs planning well in advance with accommodation on Skye limited and expensive, Inverness - Skye - Glasgow is possible on paper on certain days but it's very tight and the ferry link is always a risk.

I don't really want or need to do it in a day, the main issue I'm seeing is lack of accommodation anywhere near Fort William / Mallaig / Kyle / Skye where I could break the journey. I can't even see a way to return from Mallaig to Fort William then on to Kyle by coach, as the last train from Kyle to Inverness is quite early.

Maybe one to plan properly for the future rather than try and last-minute for next week I fear.

 

[6PAN]

I have done this trip a couple of times although not recently and would definitely recommend at least one overnight stay to make it a relaxing and enjoyable experience. I stayed over in Morar and Plockton as alternatives to Mallaig and Kyle, it might be worth checking for accommodation there.

 

[Teapot42]

Actually, as a further question - how do you buy this pass? When I click 'Book Online Now' on the website I just get a message saying the product is not available in my region.

Does this pass still exist, or is the website just a stub that someone has forgotten to delete?

 

[StarCrossing]

Do it June and book a taxi between Armadale + Kyle of Lochalsh?

Just be aware that it can be very difficult to book taxis on Skye at that time of year. I tried last June, about 3 days before I travelled, and had to try many firms before I found a one-man operation that would take me. I believe they get booked up for full-day sightseeing tours by American tourists.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Just be aware that it can be very difficult to book taxis on Skye at that time of year.

Indeed. Be surprised if there was no accommodation available in Kyleakin (= former ferry terminal for ferry crossings over to Kyle of Lochalsh). Slightly off the route that most traffic heading back to the Scottish mainland uses these days (i.e. over the Skye Bridge).

 

[Teapot42]

Indeed. Be surprised if there was no accommodation available in Kyleakin (= former ferry terminal for ferry crossings over to Kyle of Lochalsh). Slightly off the route that most traffic heading back to the Scottish mainland uses these days (i.e. over the Skye Bridge).

I should clarify that it's not that there is no accommodation available, it's more that I'm not prepared to pay £300 or (considerably) more for one night in what looks like a pretty run down hotel!

It looks like I'm also a week two late, as the 52 summer service ends this weekend, so no Saturday and less weekday buses. I'd found one option that would have worked had I been able to do it this weekend, but otherwise the via Skye route just seems impossible to time without a stay on the island itself.

At the moment I'm thinking more of dropping the round trip and just doing Mallaig, although 10+ hours on a 156 isn't the most inviting prospect!

 

[37069]

Did a variation of it over a week back in July 2009.

Friday
Whitehaven - Carlisle - Glasgow Central; Glasgow Queen Street - Fort William

Saturday
Fort William - Mallaig (The Jacobite - back when you could make single journeys); Mallaig - Armadale (ferry) - Kyle (bus) - Inverness

Sunday
Inverness - Aberdeen - Perth - Inverness

Monday
Inverness - Wick - Inverness

Tuesday
Inverness - Perth - Dundee - Edinburgh - Fife Circle - Haymarket - Larbert

Wednesday
Larbert - Alloa - Glasgow Queen Street - Oban - Fort William (bus); Sleeper to Euston

Thursday
King's Cross - Leeds - Skipton - Carnforth - Whitehaven


A great way to clear most lines north of the Central Belt in one go. I later did Stirling - Perth and the Ladybank single one evening after ModelRail Scotland a few years later to fill in the gaps.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Actually, as a further question - how do you buy this pass? When I click 'Book Online Now' on the website I just get a message saying the product is not available in my region.

Does this pass still exist, or is the website just a stub that someone has forgotten to delete?

Is it one of those ScotRail products only available for fulfilment by way of an m-ticket?

 

[Mainliner]

I don't really want or need to do it in a day, the main issue I'm seeing is lack of accommodation anywhere near Fort William / Mallaig / Kyle / Skye where I could break the journey. I can't even see a way to return from Mallaig to Fort William then on to Kyle by coach, as the last train from Kyle to Inverness is quite early.

Maybe one to plan properly for the future rather than try and last-minute for next week I fear.

I did the ‘Grand Tour’ (anti-clockwise) a couple of years ago, staying overnight at the Morar Hotel, a short train ride from Mallaig, which is very reasonably priced. I took a taxi in Skye.

 

[Teapot42]

Is it one of those ScotRail products only available for fulfilment by way of an m-ticket?

I'm not sure. It is sold online as such, but apparently is also available at ticket offices, although it's unclear if that is any ticket office or only Scotrail ones.

The online retailer doesn't appear to be UK based, more being aimed at the north American market, and also charges a booking fee.

 

[Jaydubya]

I’ve cycled it - actually bike from Fort William to Mallaig and then Armadale to Broadford where there is a youth hostel. Did a day of touring and then rode to Kyle station to get the train to Inverness the day after. The A87 had a bit of fast moving traffic but the A830 and A851 were fine. Interesting scenery

 

[3RDGEN]

I should clarify that it's not that there is no accommodation available, it's more that I'm not prepared to pay £300 or (considerably) more for one night in what looks like a pretty run down hotel!

It looks like I'm also a week two late, as the 52 summer service ends this weekend, so no Saturday and less weekday buses. I'd found one option that would have worked had I been able to do it this weekend, but otherwise the via Skye route just seems impossible to time without a stay on the island itself.

At the moment I'm thinking more of dropping the round trip and just doing Mallaig, although 10+ hours on a 156 isn't the most inviting prospect!

Unfortunately if you want to do the full round trip by train/bus that realistically means doing it Mid May to Mid September and includes a break on Skye which at that time is expensive, the best option is to plan for next summer later this year and hope the bus services run to similar timescales in 2027.

In Winter 2025/26 the 0900 from Portree / 0950 from Broadford ran to Armadale which gives a ferry connection to Mallaig for the evening service to Glasgow.

 

[NomadTD15]

In May 2025 I did it with overnights at the Kings Arms Kyleakin and Morar Hotel with the Waverley paddle steamer from Kyle to Armadale. The Waverley is usually up there in May.

 

[Struner]

In May 2025 I did it with overnights at the Kings Arms Kyleakin and Morar Hotel with the Waverley paddle steamer from Kyle to Armadale. The Waverley is usually up there in May.

Indeed! for inspiration have a look at the 2026 schedule: https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Oban-Inner-Hebrides-2026-Timetable-1.pdf

 

[Teapot42]

Out of interest, can anyone comment how good the crossing is in moderate weather? There appears to be an opening to do it by travelling up to Mallaig on Thursday and staying overnight before crossing to Skye and on to Inverness on the Friday. However, the forecast is for it to be moderately windy then, 20mph with 40mph gusts. Is this likely to be bad enough for the ferries to actually run, and if they do, would someone who isn't the best seafarer be OK on what looks like a fairly short crossing in these conditions?

 

[Struner]

depends on wind direction & the state of the tide.