Getting to Skye:

You don’t have to drive to Skye if you find the distance daunting, although the scenery is fantastic in such atmospheric places as Glencoe.  You can reach the north by plane or train and you can travel from the mainland by ferry or simply by crossing the Skye Bridge.

By plane: - Flights come to Inverness and Glasgow, depending on your airport of departure, and by booking in advance you can get some very good deals.  From either destination it is then possible to hire a car; from Glasgow you have a further five hours of driving and from Inverness two and a half hours, both routes taking in some beautiful scenery.

By train: - Take the sleeper from Euston to Inverness, then the regular service to Kyle of Lochalsh where you can catch a bus, get a taxi or hire a car for the remaining 35 miles to Portree.  A fabulous alternative is to take the world famous journey from Fort William to Mallaig, part of the West Highland Line, which, with some planning, can give you the steam experience, known as the Jacobite.  This journey takes you over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, as travelled by the Hogwarts Express of Harry Potter fame!

By ferry:  Once on the west coast, should you prefer to cross to Skye by ferry, you have two options.  The major route is from Mallaig to Armadale in the south of the island; this is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne and can be booked in advance which is recommended in peak season.  The alternative is the much smaller, privately operated, Glenelg to Kylerhea ferry which is open from Easter to October each year. Links to these ferry companies can be found on our links page.

Getting to Larchside:

Portree itself is located along the A87 which runs from Kyleakin in the south of the island to Uig in the north.  From the Skye Bridge take the A87 to Portree centre and, once in Portree, take the A855 Staffin Road.  About a mile north of the town centre, after passing the Ben Tianavaig campsite on your right, take the next turning on the left to Achachork.  Larchside is a large, white house about three-quarters of a mile along the township road, just before a stand of evergreen trees.  Drive in and you will find ample parking to the rear of the house.