driving on Skye
 

I'm in the process of booking a car for hire the three days we'll be on Skye next June. So far I've heard from Kyle Taxi but not Portree Coachworks. It sounds like Kyle Taxi will deliver the car to the Armadale ferry landing (for a price, of course). Then I suppose I'll return the car to them in Kyle, where I'll need to catch the train anyway. Is it pretty easy to drive on Skye? Any roundabouts? Also, will it be easy to drive myself over to take a look at "Dornie"?

We did this many years ago but if I remember properly there are mostly one track roads. There wasn't very much "traffic" at all and we found enough turn outs if we met another car. It was a unique experience.

I rented a car from Sutherlin's Garage in Broadford. They picked me up at the train station at the Kyle of Localsh (we finalized the rental in Broadford) and when I was through with the car, they drove me to Armadale VERY early in the morning to catch the ferry. I would guess they do it backwards.

I had no problem driving in Skye. I was there in September and it was very empty, but I don't think traffic would have caused a problem either. There are a few roundabouts but they are not going to throw you. There are not that many roads in Skye, period.

I traveled many, many one-track roads but, day or night, I could always see well into the distance to spot oncoming cars, and there are little lay-bys people turn into to allow others to pass. Skye drivers are courteous and hardly speed demons.

Biggest problem is wildlife at night (slow down) and sheep 24 hours a day If you honk at a flock of sheep in the road, they simply blink at you at don't budge. I discovered if I rolled down the window and yelled at them, they scattered.

Sorry, but I don't know what "Dornie" is.

Oh, Eilean Donan Castle...

Dornie is the name of the village - don't think I've ever heard anyone calling Eilean Donan castle "Dornie"

No, you won't have any trouble driving across the bridge to see the Castle.

Nessundorma described things very well - LOTS of single track roads, not much traffic in June, and navigating is a piece of cake because there really aren't very many roads at all.

It is very easy to drive on Skye. there's not much traffic, and fewer roads. Roundabouts are non issue if there are no other cars. It won't be a problem to get to Dornie. In fact, you could do a round trip by using teh wee ferry from Glenelg to Kylesku

Thanks, all! The wee ferry route sounds like fun...

We used Kyle Taxi too, really nice people. They also picked us up at the ferry at Armadale, drove us to their place in Kyle where we picked up our car, and we dropped it at the train station in Kyle wehn done. Worked out great.

Driving on Skye is fine, the main thing is remembering to stay in the left, and following etiquette on the single track roads when you meet up with an oncoming car.

Several years ago, I had the BEST dessert I've ever had at the Three Chimneys Restaurant on Skye. It is their Marmalade pudding.... WOW!!!

Driving on Skye isn't much of a challenge. The island once had more single-track roads than it does now, especially near the bridge that connects the island to the mainland. That stretch of the A87 can be busy at times.

Single track roads are not that difficult to manage, but it does require a bit of cooperation between drivers of oncoming cars. Use the pull-offs ONLY on your side of the road (in this case, the left)...don't do like some tourist drivers who pull off on the right (or worse, who park in these areas). Roundabouts are infrequent.

And DO watch for wandering sheep--they are one of the main road hazards on Skye!

Also, as in most rural areas of the UK, keep in mind that it is driving time, not map distance, that is important when planning a route. Consult a site that has estimated driving times, such as viamichelin.com.

I never knew I had so many friends until I arrived on Skye - other drivers were waving to me and smiling as I passed by!

Skye is one of the very few places I'd consider driving around in the UK. You've been given a very accurate description of the roads, etc., there, and drivers there, IMO, are the most polite in the world.

Good Travels,
BC

Thanks for all of the reassurances. I have arranged a rental from Kyle Taxis and am really beginning to get excited!