Lots of info here about the road and what you can see – Glenfinnan, Arisaig, Morar, Silver Sands and much more. The lochs are so beautiful. Until the Inverness to Kyle railway line was built, to the edge of the island of Skye, cattle were taken off the island at the Kylerhea narrows and walked to market. It’s April 1968 and Traigh Sands between Arisaig and Morar  on the Road to the Isles are completely deserted. Road to the Isles, Scotland starts at Fort William and goes through Corpach, Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Arisaig and Morar to Mallaig, then the ferry goes over the sea to Skye From one loch to the next and then it opens up to the sea and islands. Look at Western Isles, Scotland, United Kingdom from different perspectives. The far Coolins are puttin' love on me. Listed throughout our website is over 120 accommodation providers varying in type and location. Distance: n/a. Mallaig and the Road to the Isles. As step I wi' the sunlight for my load. Download the Road to the Isles Map view on Ipad/Mobile click here. Now, the requirements include marketing speak, plus the urge to insert the word ‘jaw-dropping’ as frequently as possible. The group's six performers contribute their talents on the fiddle, flute, pipes, guitar, and with vocals, Irish Step dancing and Scottish Highland dancing. Travelling from Fort William to Mallaig you will see some of the best scenery in the whole world with stunning mountain views, white sandy beaches, stunning shimmering lochs, historical places and great views of the isles of Eigg, Rum, Muck, Skye and Canna. The perfect balance of exploration, travel and hospitality combine with Scotland’s nature, history and scenic beauty for five wonderful days in the Scottish Highlands. The cromack-assisted journey then leaps across the Minch to the Outer Hebrides ‘from the Skerries to the Lews’. Clearly, the Fort William to Mallaig run was an adventure back in those days, but it wasn’t widely thought of as the Road to the Isles. Apr 10, 2019 - Explore Adam Geary's board "The road to the isles, Scotland " on Pinterest. . ... monument bad weather scottish history bonnie prince charlie caledonian canal the jacobite steam train lochs route mallaig scotland fort mountains river. After spending 3 nights in Glasgow (which I will write about along with my plans for Edinburgh in a later post) I will train over to Fort William We had taken a small group tour. You will travel through some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. One went south to Loch Hourn, then east across the hills via Loch Quoich to Invergarry and into the Great Glen. Road to the Isles performs the pipe and fiddle music, dance, and folksong traditions of Scotland & Ireland and will transport your audience to the lochs and glens of the Celtic lands of old.. At roughly 46 miles long, it takes just over an hour to drive with no stops (though you will want to stop.) Sure by Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go By heather tracks wi' heaven in their wiles. Welcome to Road to the Isles The 46-mile A830 road from Fort William to Mallaig is traditionally known as the Road to the Isles, as it leads to the jumping-off point for ferries to the Small Isles and Skye, itself a stepping stone to the Outer Hebrides. It really is worth travelling. All of this is a very long way from a walker with a stick journeying across Scotland, pulled on by the magic of the islands of the west. Loch Shiel Cruises. more, Recommended experiences in and around Fort William. See? But what and where exactly is the Road to the Isles? It’s also in the Scottish surname Crombie. On the 20th September of the following year, having been utterly defeated, the Prince left Scotland forever. This is the opinion I found in a forty-year old Scottish Highlands gazetteer written by John Lister. On the 20th September of the following year, having been utterly defeated, the Prince left Scotland forever. W ith thousands of miles of dramatic coastline, peaceful countryside, remote islands and high mountain roads, Scotland offers some of the most spectacular road trips in Europe.Dozens of magnificent beaches edge otherworldly landscapes in the Outer Hebrides, while Mull’s rugged coast is dotted with sheltered bays and harbour towns known for excellent seafood. Road to the Isles, Fort William: See 64 reviews, articles, and 70 photos of Road to the Isles, ranked No.10 on Tripadvisor among 31 attractions in Fort William. . But don’t tell anyone I suggested it.). Day One: Edinburgh/Glasgow to Oban. The Road to the Isles journey runs along the A830 from Fort William to Mallaig and onwards to the Small Isles. Road to the Isles in the Highlands of Scotland is Fort William to Mallaig. Road to the Isles in Scottish Highlands, Scotland It is about 43 miles from Mallaig to Fort William, a good town to spend the night. And, of course, from Skye (Uig) it’s perfectly easy to reach Harris in the Outer Hebrides via the CalMac ferry. During your one-hour drive on A830, nicknamed the Road to the Isles, you will be visually treated to six lochs, white beaches, remote islets, historical markers plus streams nestled among the mountains and hills. The tour agent was Rabies. Glenfinnan Station Museum. And to which Isles? It is still heard today, though it belongs in the toe-curling, tartan wiggle-waggle of the kilt, hoots-mon the noo Scotland stereotype category, sometimes still inflicted on and even expected/enjoyed by some visitors today. Escape the city, and travel to the Scottish Highlands with ease on this day trip, ideal for travelers with limited time. Road to the Isles from Edinburgh and Glasgow Printable Version. So, this ends my take on how the Fort William to Mallaig road got its name. Answer 1 of 5: Hi I am still planning here; I wonder if it is possible to duplicate the train ride by car---we will have a car. pleasant little shops and pubs to stop at and good info. The traveller with his walking stick next reaches, say, Kinlochleven and Lochaber proper. OK. Right. The "Road to the Isles" used to pass straight through Arisaig, but now a modern by-pass takes the traffic round the village which makes it a very peaceful place to visit.. The song ‘The Road to the Isles’ first appears in a multi-volume collection of material ‘Songs of the Hebrides’ based on music collected by Marjorie Kennedy-Fraser. She was a great champion of the music of the Hebrides, in the early years of the 20th century making many trips to the islands to record the songs she heard there. We did the "Road to the Isles Road Trip" from Fort William all the way and enjoyed it very much. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Tour from... Group Walk up Ben Nevis from Fort William, GHD Clan tour of Harry Potter in the Highlands. For instance, Murray’s Handbook for Scotland (1894) does not use the name. You've never smelled the tangle o' the Isles. Road to the Isles: The Road to the Isles (Fort William to Mallaig), Scottish Highlands - See 64 traveller reviews, 70 candid photos, and great deals for Fort William, UK, at Tripadvisor. Look, here’s a map out of a 1927 Automobile Association Guide: Basically, the original road to or from the islands was much further north. I was staying at Fort William Backpackers so it was a fairly short walk down to the station from there. Mallaig Heritage Centre. Scotland has a five-level system of local coronavirus alerts, ... Shetland, the Western Isles and some islands in Argyll and Bute and the Highlands. The Highlands of Scotland. Because, he argues, the old ways from the islands were the drove roads used to take cattle from the Western Isles and Skye to the mainland and down to the main tryst at Crieff in Perthshire. By road or rail, the road to isles is the freedom road or the glory road, it’s all their for the taking on the A830. White Sands of Morar. It is fortunate from a tourism promotion point of view that such an attractive route has a romantic name. Unfortunately the visitor centre was closed and information at the monument was limited. For sure, it’s ‘heather tracks’ thereafter. Nice way to while away some hours if in the area. In Gaelic that’s the cromach part, meaning a walking stick or crook. It’s got a fine romantic ring to it. Mar 9, 2019 - Discover the Magnificent Road to the Isles Scotland (A830) - mountains, lochs, beaches and islands... the best stops between Fort William to Mallaig The poem is headed by the statement 'Written for the lads in France during the Great War'. It’s by Shiel water the track is to the westBy Ailort and by Morar to the seaThe cool cresses I am thinkin’ of for pluckAnd bracken for a wink on Mother´s knee. Our trusty little Skye will keep you safe, comfy and Cosy on your travels, giving you all the amenities you need with your campervan hire whether you're campsite go'ers or Wild campers Discover 13 of Scotland’s most spectacular driving routes, from the Fife Coastal Route to the epic North Coast 500. Interactive planner with routes, distances and must-see attractions on the way. (I still do.). And the ode to seaweed has remained fairly popular ever since (though there are one or two very rude and scurrilous parodies around. So whether you are travelling on your own or in a large group we … The Road to the Isles is located on the western coast of North Scotland, on the A830 road from Fort William to Mallaig. But I digress. By road or rail, the road to isles is the freedom road or the glory road, it’s all their for the taking on the A830. Actually, pretty busy is something of an understatement, if an item in northern Scotland’s local paper the Press and Journal is to be taken at face value. Mar 9, 2019 - Discover the Magnificent Road to the Isles Scotland (A830) - mountains, lochs, beaches and islands... the best stops between Fort William to Mallaig Land Sea and Islands visitor centre, Arisaig. From the mountains around Ben Nevis to stunning loch Shiel and then to pristine beaches and views of islands, this drive will please everyone. Just stunning scenery. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. (She picked up the famous Eriskay Love Lilt as early as 1905.). Neither does the 1930s Ward Lock & Co’s The Highlands. Our tour guide was Adams. Arisaig. The road (and rail journey) get pretty busy in the summer. Why do you think Skye is always busy? - The Road to the Isles. Today it primarily applies to the A830 route from Fort William to Mallaig, from where a range of ferry services head out to the inner and outer Hebridean Islands. You've never smelled the tangle o' the Isles. If it's thinkin' in your inner heart the braggart's in my step. There is also a Jacobite train journey during the summer months that runs to Mallaig. Wait, here’s a clue – and it’s in Donald B MacCulloch’s Romantic Lochaber, Arisaig and Morar. "The Road to the Isles" is a famous tune composed by Pipe Major John McLellan DCM which was originally called ‘The Bens of Jura’, though it previously had other titles. Like, say, ‘Speed bonnie  boat like a bird on the wing’ or ‘And we in dreams behold the Hebrides’ it’s just one of these phrases embedded in a Scottish consciousness. The words were written by the Gaelic poet Kenneth MacLeod in 1917 to the tune of a march composed by someone else. If you’re secretly thinking I’m boasting then it means you’ve never smelt rotting seaweed on the islands.’, Pretty weird, huh? Places on today’s A830 are picked up again: (though the last two verse lines are rather odd). The road from Fort William to Mallaig is called the “Road to the Isles” and it takes us past the Glennfinan Monument, erected to commemorate the beginnings of the Jacobite Risings in the area, as well as the Glennfinan Viaduct. An once in a life time experience for us, amazing views of mountains, waterfalls and lochs. Kelp is so middle class. Well, it turns out the tourism industry’s use of the phrase is fairly recent. (So there!) Drove from Fot William to Glenfinnan and onwards to Arisaig and back on the peninsular. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The Road to the Isles encompasses some of the most iconic images of Scotland – from the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Glenfinnan monument to the views out over the Small Isles and Skye to the spectacular sandy beaches from Traigh beach to the silver sands of Morar. Royal Yacht Britannia – Scotland’s best attraction? It’s a great drive. You'll need to get to Fort William's train station early. Loch Ailort is a beautiful sea loch a few miles from the main A830, while Morar is noted for its beaches. Getting to The Road to the Isles . One variation of this journey was to continue east, crossing the Great Glen at Fort Augustus to take the Corrieyairack Pass, eventually reaching the route of today’s A9. Read more below…. It is part of the Kennedy-Fraser collection and it appeared in a book entitled 'Songs of the Hebrides' published in 1917, with the eponymous title by the Celtic poet Kenneth Macleod. Half way point make sure you stop at, Stunning memorable scenery. Maphill is more than just a map gallery. The name today refers to the A830 that joins Fort William on the Great Glen to the port of Mallaig, 43 miles, 69 km to the west. In 1917, the lyrics originally were printed along with the poignant explanation ‘Written for our lads in France during the Great War’. Anyway, perhaps he’s going to graze his way westward, chomping on vegetation and gathering bracken (ferns etc) ‘for a wink on mother’ knee’. When he gets home he intends to throw the bracken on to his mother and have a nap. Road to the Isles performs the pipe and fiddle music, dance, and folksong traditions of Scotland & Ireland and will transport your audience to the lochs and glens of the Celtic lands of old.. A Scottish Isles Driving Tour – Take the road to the isles along Scotland’s stunning West Coast to explore the beautiful inner Hebridean islands of Skye and Mull. Take me back to Bonnie Scotland. Cliffs near Marwick Head in Orkney (Dreamstime) For: ancient sites, seafood, seascapes. Edinburgh: Robert Grant and Son, 1927. Mallaig and the Road to the Isles. There is a small graveyard to the right of the monument, again there was no information. There is another theory. We bid farewell to the Isle of Skye and return to … The Road to the Isles is an evocative name with a long history. Not so long ago it was mostly single-track, snaking its way through the woods by, say, Arisaig. Scotland: Road to the Isles . It’s famously scenic, though more relaxing if you go by the parallel rail route, and en route it has landmarks close by such as the Glenfinnan Viaduct and, further west, the White (sometimes Silver) Sands of Morar. (Pictured) The way things were. I told you it was a bit strange.). After spending 3 nights in Glasgow (which I will write about along with my plans for Edinburgh in a later post) I will train over to Fort William A far croonin’ is pullin’ me awayAs take I wi’ my cromach to the road.The far Cuillins are puttin’ love on meAs step I wi’ the sunlight for my load. There is also a Jacobite train journey during the summer months that runs to Mallaig. The road to the Isles is considered as one of the best drives in Scotland. From there the herds were turned south across a now vanished route (though it became a motor-able road later) that cut across Loch Loyne before it was enlarged by a hydro-electric dam. You see the Road to the Isles on signs a lot, referring to the main Fort William to Mallaig road. Suggest you try the one sung by Billy Connolly: ‘Leo McGuire’s Song’. (There is a map further down the page.). fantastic scenery with mountains rivers and waterfalls all around. Sure by Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go By heather tracks wi' heaven in their wiles. North Coast 500 & Islands - 6 days. Torlundy, Fort William PH33 6SN, Scotland 1.0 miles from Road to the Isles #2 Best Value of 1,336 places to stay in Fort William “This small hotel provided a luxurious … The A830, also known as the Road to the Isles (though it forms only a part of the historic route) is a major road in Lochaber, Scottish Highlands.It connects the town of Fort William to the port of Mallaig.. At roughly 46 miles long, it takes just over an hour to drive with no stops (though you will want to stop.) A much more beneficial event for the Highlands took place in 1812. Eilean Donan- Inverewe– Loch Ness. Just an absolutely cracking area to drive through. Scotland for the Motorist, an Automobile Association publication dated 1927, likewise describes the route but does not give it a title. 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