Glencoe to Skye: A82 and A87 Highland Road Trip

Combine Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, the Great Glen approach and the A87 to Skye into one continuous Highland road trip. A long point-to-point option connecting several existing favourites, without sightseeing dead ends.

159 miDistance

4 hr 34 minEstimated drive

Point-to-pointRoute type

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Point-to-pointFull-day road trip

Area: Driving roads near Crianlarich and Portree. Nearby visits are optional.
Notable roads: A85 · A82 · A87
Near: Crianlarich · Portree · Inverness · Fort William
Route status: Remapped approved
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026

Descent into Glen Shiel — Photo: @ Stephen Darlington / Geograph

The A82 passes the Well of the Seven Heads — Photo: @ Tim Glover / Geograph

A87 near Loch Duich — Photo: @ David Dixon / Geograph

A82 — Photo: @ thejackrustles / Geograph

Glen Shiel, The A87 — nearby Glen Shiel (optional visit or landscape; not necessarily visible from the road) — Photo: @ Michael Garlick / Geograph

Make time for the stops

Highlights along the way

Glencoe

The A82 traverses the moor and glen on the first half of the journey.

Glen Shiel

The A87 crosses mountain country on the approach to the west coast.

Isle of Skye

The bridge crossing leads to the final drive north towards Portree.

Before you set off

Plan a full day and allow extra time for traffic and breaks. Check weather and fuel ahead; ferry travel is not part of this bridge-based route. Check current road closures, vehicle suitability and weather before travel. Driving time excludes stops and live traffic. The route follows through-roads; all visits off the line are independent optional detours.

Get to know the roads

Explore the drive

Pan and zoom to explore the route before you set off.

Before you head out

Frequently asked questions

A little help planning your drive.

Does the estimated driving time include stops?

The estimated 4 hr 34 min is driving time only. Allow extra time for viewpoints, breaks and visits. Live traffic, weather and road conditions can change the journey time.

Does this drive bring me back to the start?

No. This is a point-to-point drive, finishing somewhere different from the start. Allow for your onward journey or plan a return route.

Can I start somewhere else or change the stops?

Yes. Customise this route to change the start, finish or stops, or build it into a multi-day road trip. Sign in to save your own version.

Are the start and finish points parking locations?

Not necessarily. They mark the route’s driving references and are not a guarantee of parking or a suitable place to stop. Check parking arrangements separately and only stop where it is safe and permitted.

What should I know before setting off?

Read the Before you set off notes for this drive, then check current road closures and conditions. The notes highlight route-specific considerations; they are not a live road-status report.

What does Remapped approved mean?

“Remapped approved” means a route has been selected and approved by Remapped. We use a combination of driving routes ourselves, scouting locations, prior knowledge and detailed research. The mix varies by route: approval does not mean every road has been personally driven. Road-image locations are confirmed using GPS data. How we choose and approve routes ↗