Highlands & Applecross

4 days · 5 driving roads · 132 miles of them · best May–September

Four days through the north-west. Glen Coe sets the tone, the A87 runs the Five Sisters to Skye, and then the Bealach na Bà — Britain's most alpine road, hairpinning to 626 metres with the Cuillin across the water. Applecross coast road brings you back the long way round, and Kylesku adds the far north-west if you have the day spare.

Worth knowing: The Bealach is closed by snow and gales through winter and is no place for a caravan or a long wheelbase. Fuel at Lochcarron before the pass and Scourie in the far north — both are the last for a long way. Book Applecross Inn well ahead.

The roads, in order

1. Glencoe A82 · Tyndrum → Glencoe village · 28 mi · 40 min 📷 Three Sisters viewpoint · ⛽ Glencoe Service Station · 🍽️ Kingshouse Hotel · ☕ Crafts & Things · 🚻 Glencoe Visitor Centre
2. A87 to the Isle of Skye A87 · Invergarry → Kyle of Lochalsh · 50 mi · 1 h 10 min ⛽ Invergarry Service Station · 🍽️ The Cluanie Inn · 📷 Five Sisters of Kintail layby · 📷 Eilean Donan Castle viewpoint
3. Bealach na Bà (Applecross Pass) Applecross road · Tornapress (Kishorn) → Applecross · 11 mi · 35 min ⚠ ⚠ Single-track with passing places; hairpins to 626 m; closes in winter snow; unsuitable for caravans 📷 Bealach na Bà summit · ⛽ Lochcarron Garage · 🍽️ Applecross Inn · 🚻 Applecross public toilets
4. Applecross Coast Road Shieldaig road · Applecross → Torridon · 25 mi · 1 h ⚠ Single-track much of the way — passing-place discipline required 🍽️ Applecross Inn · ⛽ Applecross Community Filling Station · 📷 Loch Torridon viewpoint · ☕ Nanny's
5. Kylesku & the Assynt Coast A894 · Kylesku → Laxford Bridge · 18 mi · 35 min 🍽️ Kylesku Hotel · 📷 Kylesku Bridge viewpoint · ⛽ Scourie Filling Station

Drive it

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