Question about proceeding from Mull (near Tobermory) to Skye: if we want to head for the Skye Bridge rather than to the ferry at Mallaig, what's the best route? What's the driving time from Lochaline to the bridge? And what about from Lochaline to Mallaig?

At the time we're traveling, there are only two ferries from Mallaig to Armadale, so we're afraid we're going to miss the afternoon one and then be stuck in Mallaig. There doesn't appear to be a route from Mallaig to the Skye bridge--or is there?

Thanks for any help. (P.S. I'm Beachy1's traveling companion.)

Sorry . . . adding word "Scotland" to this thread. Thanks.

Hmmm. Easy one (not)

First, I have a problem with "best"; but assuming you mean fastest, a fair bit depends on your departure time. To get the 4pm boat from Mallaig means being there at 3.30pm, and the drive is 2 hours in a hurry. So, so long as you are on the 1.05pm out of Fishnish you should be fine. Every boat before that that you catch is a bonus.

If time is the issue, the same boat would get you to Corran at about 2.20pm, so you'd get the 2.30pm boat to the "mainland" and then you'd have 75 miles to Kyle- say 1 1/2 to 2 hours. So you'd be at Kyle at 4pm- same as your departure time fom Mallaig.

Via Craignure, the same departure time would get you into Oban at 3.45pm, with hours and hours to drive.

Does this help?

From what you say you must be traveling during the winter schedule. The rest of the year there are several sailings Mallaig/Skye every day. The trip around from Mull to Kyle of Lochalsh is a long one. The fastest/easiest way would be to take the ferry from Craignure back to Oban and drive through Ft William to Invergarry and out to Kyle.

But you would be better off if you just made a point of getting to Mallaig in time for the afternoon ferry.

(I'm pretty sure anyone who knows where Skye/Mull are know they are in Scotland)

Sheila and I were posting at the same time - I didn't mean driving to Kyle was the "fastest/easiest" -- definitely going via Mallaig is is your best bet.

But if you are too late and you miss the ferry to the mainland you'd have to go back to Oban and drive up to Kyle.

Thanks, Sheila and Janis. Looks like we'll have to ensure we're on the 1.05 from Fishnish . . . and the next-earlier one is at 11.25, so I don't know that we'll be "done" with Mull before then.

May I ask another, totally unrelated question? Given the choice of a) renting a car in Manchester and driving to Stirling or b) taking the train from Manchester to Glasgow, renting a car, and driving to Stirling, which would you choose after a flight from Atlanta, and why?

Thanks for all your help.

re your latest question: It is really 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.

Flying overnight from the States makes the first day, and especially driving long distances the first day, an iffy proposition. Some can do it w/ little problem, but more people are really affected by the sleeplessness/jet lag.

I have driven Manchester to Stirling and even farther - but I know the area well and have been there many times.

If I were you (and IF you haven't driven much in the UK), I'd take the train from Manchester - but not to Glasgow - I'd take the train to Stirling. You can rent a car in Stirling just as easily as in Glasgow or in M'ster. I would spend the first day touring Stirling and the castle and then pick up the car on the 2nd day to head out on your driving tour around Scotland.