Skye circular on an Edinburgh-Kyle return

[Gaelan]

Easement 700784 reads:

Holders of tickets from Kyle of Lochalsh to either Glasgow or Edinburgh, may join Scotrail only operated trains at Mallaig. They will need to make their own arrangements to travel between Kyle of Lochalsh and Mallaig, as railway tickets are not valid on bus and ferry connections between the two locations. This manual easement will not operate in online journey planning systems.

I believe there is similar wording in the "ScotRail Local Routing Guide" document which circulates from time to time.

Does anyone have experience actually making use of this policy? Are guards generally familiar with it, or would I need to prepare for an argument?

 

[Haywain]

This is a very long standing arrangement and I would be astonished if guards on the West Highland route are not aware of it.

 

[Farigiraf]

Does this only apply to tickets routed 'Any Permitted' or could you use a 'Via Aviemore' ticket via Mallaig as well?
Seems like quite a fun (and affordable, considering the distance it covers) journey, shame that getting from Kyle station to Armadale is such a hassle with public transport though.

The Scottish Grand Tour ticket (which is really just a 4-in-8 day rover only valid in one direction) covers this exact route for a lower cost than an Edinburgh-Kyle return, plus it's valid on buses on Skye. If you actually want to make this circular journey, it's better to get this ticket than a return.

 

[Haywain]

If you actually want to make this circular journey, it's better to get this ticket than a return.

That may depend on where you are travelling from, what discounts you may be entitled to, and the timescale of your planned trip.

 

[Farigiraf]

That may depend on where you are travelling from, what discounts you may be entitled to, and the timescale of your planned trip.

You can start the rover at any point along the route, whereas the easement for the anytime/offpeak return is only for Kyle to/from Glasgow or Edinburgh. Railcard discounts are available on both tickets as well. The timescale is the only major difference - the scottish grand tour ticket is valid for 4-in-8 days, while a flexible return is valid for 5 days outbound, and a month return.

However I am aware that the OP is likely travelling on one of the £20 returns in the current ScotRail sale, which is obviously better value than the rover. If there's no sale going on though, the rover will be better value unless you plan to spend more than 4 days making the journey.

 

[Haywain]

You can start the rover at any point along the route, whereas the easement for the anytime/offpeak return is only for Kyle to/from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Any point along the route but what about travelling from somewhere not on the route, like most of the National Rail network?

 

[Farigiraf]

Any point along the route but what about travelling from somewhere not on the route, like most of the National Rail network?

Then a return to Kyle won't be valid via Mallaig. The easement only covers tickets from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

 

[Hadders]

I’ve made use of this easement many times. In my experience Scotrail guards are absolutely fine with it.

Tickets from anywhere south of Edinburgh/Glasgow are fine in practice.

 

[Gaelan]

The Scottish Grand Tour ticket (which is really just a 4-in-8 day rover only valid in one direction) covers this exact route for a lower cost than an Edinburgh-Kyle return, plus it's valid on buses on Skye. If you actually want to make this circular journey, it's better to get this ticket than a return.

ScotRail has an ongoing promotion offering returns between any two stations for £20. Obviously this changes the math somewhat. It is less flexible, though, as the promotional tickets only have one day of outbound validity and ban break of journey.

Edit: oops, you bring this up in a later post.

 

[kkong]

ScotRail has an ongoing promotion offering returns between any two stations for £20. Obviously this changes the math somewhat. It is less flexible, though, as the promotional tickets only have one day of outbound validity and ban break of journey.

Edit: oops, you bring this up in a later post.

An option is to buy two £20 promo tickets, one in either direction with the same start date.

So for £40 you will also have two "return" coupons covering the complete journey, valid for a month.

 

[30907]

An option is to buy two £20 promo tickets, one in either direction with the same start date.

Excuse me bumping this but I am also playing with £20 ideas for early March.

There are 2 buses daily Armadale-Broadford, at about 1030 and 1700, but the morning one has a poor connection off the ferry (90min plus).

Anyone been to Armadale recently and know whether there's anywhere to shelter/get a coffee if the weather is bad?

TIA

 

[Hadders]

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Armadale but there was a little coffee shop next to the ferry berth and there’s a waiting room/ticket office where you can wait.

 

[Gonzoiku]

ScotRail has an ongoing promotion offering returns between any two stations for £20. Obviously this changes the math somewhat. It is less flexible, though, as the promotional tickets only have one day of outbound validity and ban break of journey.

Edit: oops, you bring this up in a later post.

The £20 promotion requires that you book the ticket by the end of this month. Outbound valid one day, return valid one month. Valid on ScotRail and Transpennine only, no Railcard discount.

GZ