Skye and Fort William by public transport

Broadford lies in the shadow of the imposing Cuillins, and is the first town you come to after crossing the Skye bridge. 

Catch the bus service to Elgol, a remote community on the west coast of Skye offering boat trips as well as the wonderful scenery of the Cuillins. This is often described as Scotland's finest mountain view, so have the camera charged and ready for some snaps!

Portree is a lovely place to stay while you're on Skye. It's one of the island's most thriving spots, with plenty of accommodation options and places to eat and drink. 

Explore local attractions around Portree. Take a stroll around the harbour, and if time allows, pay a visit to Isle of Skye Candle Co. Visitor Centre. From its humble origins in a grass-roofed croft on the Braes of Skye, this local brand now boasts stores across the UK. Find out how their beautiful candles, soaps and skincare products are still handmade on Skye by islanders using sustainably sourced soya wax.

Remember to book accommodation in advance, especially in the summer.

Explore the beautiful Trotternish Ridge - 20 miles of extraordinary rock formations located north of Portree, marked at each end by the rock pinnacles of the Storr and the Quiraing. Local bus services also serve the fascinating Skye Museum of Island Life which has a bus stop located in the village of Kilmuir.

This castle is set on a spectacular location on a rocky perch beside a loch, surrounded by verdant woodland. And its history is bound to impress too. It's the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and it's been the ancestral home of the chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.

Outside, explore the grounds and get a seal-eye view of the castle as you enjoy a boat trip on Loch Dunvegan.

This is the original distillery on the Isle of Skye, set on the shores of Loch Harport with dramatic views of the Cuillins. Take a distillery tour and enjoy the sweet tastes of Skye's full-bodied whisky.

Remember to book a tour in advance to avoid disappointment.

Enjoy the beautiful bus journey to the small town of Armadale on the Sleat Peninsula in the south of the island, where you'll also find attractions like Armadale Castle and Gardens. At the ferry terminal, admire beautiful scenery as you say your goodbyes to Skye - it'll be hard, but the next part of the trip is going to be great too! Take the ferry to the mainland. It arrives at Mallaig, a busy Highland fishing port.

From Mallaig, you can take advantage of the train and bus connections to Fort William. A summer season highlight is to take the Jacobite Steam Train* service, hauled by a vintage locomotive running from Fort William to Mallaig. It goes over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct - recognise it from the Harry Potter films?! We're not exaggerating when we say it's one of the greatest train journeys in the world!

On your arrival at Fort William you can enjoy spectacular views of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Stay overnight in the town's accommodation to enjoy wonderful Highland hospitality.

* Please note that the Jacobite Steam Train is running with reduced capacity for the 2024 season. Please check directly for the latest availability.

With its handsome waterfront along a sheltered bay, Oban offers plenty to do - there's a museum, galleries, independent shops and a distillery.

Inveraray is a town, built by the third Duke of Argyll in the mid 18th century. Inveraray Castle is close by, where you can admire its distinctive towers and fine collections of tapestry, armour, furniture and works of art.