Directions to Gairloch View, Staffin, Isle of Skye

This picture shows Staffin Bay and Staffin Island from among the rocks of the Quiraing. On the right of the picture you can see the dead straight stretch of road (unusual for Skye!) as it passes Staffin Bay. It then resumes its winding path and becomes a single-track road. Soon after this, our house will come into view on the right. It is circled in red in the picture.

If you come via the Skye Bridge, continue along the A87 to Portree (34 miles), then take the A855 to Staffin (16 miles). Continue for another mile or so until the road becomes single-track and you pass a road to your left signposted Uig. Continue along the A855 for another half-mile, and you will see Gairloch View on your right.

If you come via the Mallaig-Armadale ferry, take the A851 north from Armadale (signposted Broadford) until it joins the A87 (15 miles), then turn left along the A87 and continue as above (45 miles).

If you come via the Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry, take the minor road north from Kylerhea until it joins the A87 (7 miles), then turn left along the A87 and continue as above (48 miles).

If you come from the Tarbert-Uig or Lochmaddy-Uig ferry, follow the traffic off the ferry along the A87 for about half a mile, then turn sharp left along the A855 signposted Staffin. After a further mile turn right along a minor road signposted "Staffin via Quiraing". This road takes you over the Trotternish Ridge to Staffin (8 miles), with spectacular views on the way. It is not suitable for very large vehicles or vehicles towing a trailer, and it is also best avoided when there is mist on the hills. But it is no trouble in an ordinary car on a clear day. When you reach the A855 on the Staffin side, turn left and after half a mile you will see Gairloch View on your right

If you wish to avoid the hill road, continue instead northwards along the A855 and follow it as it bends round the coast and eventually turns southward past Flodigarry and then into Digg (16 miles). Here you will see Gairloch View on your left. This is also a very scenic route.

Citylink buses run to Portree from Glasgow, Fort William, Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, with connections from all parts of Scotland. From Portree there is a Rapsons bus service to Flodigarry. The driver will know where to put you off if you tell him you are staying with us.

If you are arriving from the Western Isles ferry at Uig, there may be a Rapsons bus round the north end of the Trotternish peninsula to Digg.

Portree-Staffin Road alongside Storr Lochs at twilight

Twilight as the road from Portree towards
Staffin passes the Storr Lochs
The Old Man of Storr is visible in the distance

Scotrail will get you as far as Kyle of Lochalsh or Mallaig. From Kyle take the Citylink bus as above. From Mallaig take the ferry to Armadale, then a Highland Country Bus or a Skyeways Bus to Portree, then a Highland Country Bus to Digg as above.

The nearest airport is Inverness, served by British Regional Airways. (Live arrival and departures boards at Inverness Flights). From there get the Citylink bus as above, or a train to Kyle and then the Citylink bus. Or hire a car in Inverness. If you arrive by air at Glasgow or Edinburgh you can hire a car from Easycar or 1car1.com.

Details of ferries to the UK can be found at Ferryto.com. There is a Superfast Ferry from Zeebrugge to Rosyth in Scotland.

From Uig, phone Uig Taxis on 01470-542342 or 542441. From Portree there are usually taxis to be found in the main square. From further afield try Glasgow Airport Millennium Taxis who will bring you from any airport or anywhere else in Scotland.

Ewen MacRae at Portee (01478-612554)
Isle of Skye Car Hire at Broadford (01471-820151), will deliver to anywhere on Skye

Skye Bicycle Hire at Uig (01470-542316)
Island Cycles at Portree (01478-613121)
Fairwinds Bicycle Hire at Broadford (01471-822270)

For the latest travel information of all kinds phone Portree Tourist Office on 01478614906.

Corn-marigolds and foxgloves growing in the field across the road from the cottage, while sunlight sparkles on a nearby loch