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The A87 Glen Shiel Road runs from the Great
Glen to the Isle of Skye, part of the main road
when traveling from Fort William or Inverness to
the Isle of Skye.
The 35 mile section between Loch Cluanie and
the Skye Bridge at the Kyle of
Lochalsh is one of the most scenic roads in
Scotland, with mountains over 3,000ft on each
side, Loch Duich at the end of the Glen, and
Eilean Donan Castle on an Island in
the Loch.
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Click On Map for area Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
The popular Cluanie Inn is
at the west end of Loch Cluanie with the Battle
of Glen Shiel Monument five and a half miles
west of the Inn.
There are a number of Mountains along this
stretch of road over 3,000ft, popular for
hiking with car parks by each Mountain. Follow
the Click on Map link above for Photos, Route
Maps, and Information on these Mountains.
At the end of Glen Shiel is Loch Duich with
the very small villages of Shiel Bridge and
Invershiel.
Seven miles on from Shiel Bridge, along the
banks of Loch Duich, is Eilean Donan Castle,
one of the most photographed Castles in
Scotland, with a Visitor Centre and Castle
tours can be taken.
Eight miles west of Eilean Donan Castle,
with the road running alongside Loch Alsh, is
the village of Kyle of Lochalsh with the Skye
Bridge.
A87 Glen Shiel Road History
The Mountains on the north side of Glen
Shiel are referred to as the Five Sisters of Kintail, all
over 3,000 feet / 915 metres.
The south side of Glen Shiel contains the
most impressive Mountains, The Saddle at 3,310ft, and
Sgurr na Sgine at 3,104ft.
A track through these Mountains would have
been made many centuries back.
500s - a Monastic building is believed to
have been built on the small Island on Loch
Duich.
1200s - the earliest parts of Eilean
Donan Castle were built for King Alexander
II on the small Island on Loch Duich to prevent
Vikings from traveling though Glen Shiel to
raid the Highlands of Scotland.
1262 - King Alexander III of Scotland
invaded the Isle of Skye to free the Island
from Viking control.
Clans given control of Eilean Donan Castle
so they could keep peace in the area included
McKenzie and Macrae.
1719 May 11th - Eilean Donan Castle was
destroyed by cannon from Government Ships
during the Jacobite Risings.
1719 June 10th - the Battle of Glen
Shiel takes place with Government Forces
defeating the Jacobite's. The famous Jacobite
Rob Roy
MacGregor was injured during the
Battle.
1746 - the Jacobite's were defeated at the
Battle of Culloden, the last battle
in Britain.
1755 - a Military Road was built between
Fort William, Fort Augustus, and Bernera Barracks 9 miles west
of Shiel Bridge. This road passed through Glen
Shiel linking these Government strongholds,
allowing large numbers of Government Troops to
be easily moved between the Forts to keep the
Jacobite's under control.
1932 - Eilean Donan Castle was rebuilt for
John MacRae-Gilstrap to serve as his family
home.
1955 - Eilean Donan Castle was opened to the
public as a tourist attraction.
1960 - the author Gavin Maxwell moved to
Sandaig where he wrote the book Ring of Bright
Water. Sandaig is an extremely remote area
13 miles southwest of Shiel Bridge, Map IV40
8JB.
1968 - Maxwell's cottage at Sandaig burned
down, leading to him moving to the Lighthouse
Cottages on Eilean Ban Island at the Kyle of
Lochalsh.
1969 - Gavin Maxwell died, leading to the
Island being run by the Eilean Ban Trust. Tours of the
Island can be arranged through the website.
1995 - the Sky Bridge was completed at the Kyle
of Lochalsh, about 1,640 ft / 500m in length.
Part of the Bridge was built on Eilean Ban
Island.
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