Getting to Lochcarron (or Shieldaig) then on to Applecross and Eagle Rock, from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness

1 Getting to Lochcarron

– from Glasgow (approx 5 hours)
There are basically two routes to get to Lochcarron from Glasgow, both of which take roughly 4 hours.

Route 1 from Glasgow: Stirling – Perth  – Inverness – Lochcarron: North via Stirling and Perth to Inverness (M80 to M9 to A9) then northwest from Inverness for a few miles on the A9, branching west onto the A835 as far as Garve. A mile or so through Garve, turn left onto the A832 (don’t miss the turning – it’s easy to do!) as far as Achnasheen, then left again (southwest) onto the A890 and straight out on the A896 to Lochcarron. Then on to Applecross, see below.

Route 2 from Glasgow: Crianlarich – Glen Coe – Fort William – Invergarry – Lochcarron: From the M8 going West from Glasgow, cross the Erskine Bridge on the Clyde (clearly signposted. At the end of the bridge, follow the A82 all the way to Invergarry (along through Crianlarich, Glen Coe and Fort William. At Invergarry, turn left onto the A87, almost as far as the Kyle of Lochalsh, then turn right onto the A890 into Lochcarron. (Going around the head of the Loch). Then on to Applecross, see below.

– from Edinburgh (approx 5 hours)
It is definitely quicker to go via Inverness (north on the M90 towards Perth, then the A9 to Inverness and across to Lochcarron as described in Route 1.
You may wish to travel  one way via Route 2 to Glasgow, (just because it is such an incredible drive), then follow the M8 east back to Edinburgh.

2  Getting to Applecross; mountain pass or coast road

There are only two roads leading right into Applecross. The fastest is via Lochcarron, over the Bealach, the other is via Shieldaig and traces the coast, reaching Applecross from the North. Depending upon the weather, you might want to come into Applecross over the Bealach, and leave via the coast road – or vice versa; both drives have spectacular scenery.

– Mountain pass from from Lochcarron (approx 1 hour)
1. The Bealach na Bà, via Lochcarron (as described in Routes 1 and 2), via Lochcarron.
This is the fastest and most commonly used road. National Geographic named the Bealach na Bà as one of the 50 Best Drives in the World. The high plateau, at 2,053ft affords stunning views: from Ardnamurchan Peninsula to Loch Torridon, including Eigg, Rùm, the Cuillins of Skye, the Old Man of Storr and the Quirang.
Drive through Lochcarron and Kishorn. A mile or so through Kishorn, turn left on the un-numbered road sign posted to Applecross and go over the Bealach na Bà into Applecross. Check weather conditions close to your time of travel; you may need to take the coast road.
– Coast road from Shieldaig (Roughly 1.5 hours)

2. The Torridon Peninsula Coast Road, via Shieldaig.
This route adds about 30 minutes to the overall 5 hour journey time, but the views across the Inner Sound – (part of the Gulf Stream) – are spectacular (and bad weather might force closure of the Bealach).  Enjoy the panorama of the Cuillins of Skye, Raasay, Rona and the islands of the Outer Hebrides, and to the north, views over Loch Torridon and the magnificent Torridon mountains.
Having taken Route 2, you would pass the turn off to Applecross through Lochcarron, just beyond Kishorn and continue directly north on the A896 then turn left onto the coast road to Applecross, just short of Shieldaig.
If you have taken Route 1 (via Inverness), you’d take the A832 just past Achnasheen to Kinlochewe, then turn left onto the A896 going South, just beyond Shieldaig, turn right onto the coast road to Applecross. Pass the Applecross Inn, and proceed as above to Eagle Rock.

3. A two-minute drive from Applecross (the Applecross Inn) to Eagle Rock
Turn left at the T-Junction in Applecross. Pass the Applecross Inn on your left, through Milton, pass a small loch on your left and take the right-hand fork at the Town Hall (which is on your left). The first driveway on your right (40 yards from the fork) leads to Eagle Rock.

IMPORTANT DRIVER INFORMATION – Bad weather Bealach alternative
Sometimes, (especially in winter), the road over the Bealach is closed, and then you have no option but to go via the coast road.
For more detailed route information, visit: http://www.scotland.org.uk/places/applecross-guide

PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY-OWNED 24hr APPLECROSS FILLING STATION BY BUYING YOUR FUEL THERE WHEN YOU VISIT

BY TRAIN

There are two sleeper trains from London as well as the regular small train from Inverness to Strathcarron, and on to Kyle. There are regular trains between Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and Inverness.

Sleeper trains London Euston – Inverness
Two Sleeper trains (no changes) leave from Euston station, London each night of the week, at 9.15pm, and at 11pm. (Except Saturdays).

Small trains Inverness – Strathcarron – Kyle (at the Skye Bridge)
Strathcarron is the closest train station to Applecross, 21 miles away. It’s really handy for stragglers or guests who have to leave early as it is a 40 minute – 1hr drive to the station. There are taxis from Inverness train station to the airport. (15-20 minute journey).

You can buy tickets online or on the train.
Many guests have said this ride in the local, little train, was a highlight of their stay.
Be careful not to miss your stop!

BY PLANE

The closest airport is Inverness, 80 miles away.
Many guests choose to land in Glasgow and take Route 2 because it is such a spectacular drive.
Easyjet and Flybe are the main UK based airlines coming into Inverness with many direct flights from Gatwick and Luton near London, Heathrow, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff and more.
http://www.easyjet.com
http://www.flybe.com

BY HELICOPTER

You can land only by arrangement in the cleared landing space. It costs around £500 to take a helicopter from Glasgow, with a 15kg baggage allowance per person.

CYCLING

It is a 22 mile cycle from Strathcarron station over the Bealach, to Eagle Rock. Alternatively, take the coastal route from Strathcarron, which is
one of Edinburgh Cycling Co-operative’s cycling routes of the Applecross Peninsula.
For more information, go to: http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/