Although it is possible to take the train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and transfer to the coach for onward travel on Skye, if your main interest is visiting Skye it would be quicker and more convenient to take the Citylink coach service 917 all the way from Inverness to Portree. Pre-booking is highly recommended.
From the coach you can enjoy wonderful views including of the Great Glen, Loch Ness (sit on the left of the coach for the best views), Loch Cluanie and Glen Moriston, Loch Duich and Eilean Donan Castle, and of course Skye itself.
There are a few places where you may wish to break your journey which we have detailed below. Note: Citylink only allows a break in the journey for interchange purposes. Therefore you would need to purchase separate tickets if you wish to break your journey anywhere.
Route: Inverness - Invermoriston - Kyle of Lochalsh - Broadford - Portree
Trip length: 3 hours 20 minutes to Portree
Citylink coach crossing River Ness
From Inverness the coach crosses the River Ness and joins the A82 as it travels south out of the city and into the Great Glen. Soon you will be treated to views of the Caledonian Canal and Loch Dalfour.
Look out for Dochfour House on the right. This has been the ancestral home of the Baillies since the mid 1400s. The original house was burnt in 1745 during the Jaobite Rebellion and the current building dates from 1780.
Shortly afterwards the water opens up further as you start to travel along Loch Ness. This mighty and picturesque loch has impressive statistics – it is 23 miles long, has the largest volume of fresh water in Britain, is the second deepest loch in Scotland at 788 feet (240 metres), and is allegedly home to Nessie the Loch Ness Monster.
Loch Ness
Suggested stopping point: Drumnadrochit
Drumnadrochit is a popular large village. Here you can visit the Loch Ness Centre to find out all about the Loch Ness Monster, visit the tiny Great Glen Gin Distillery, have a Meet & Greet with Highland Coos, and local walks - we like Craigmonie Woods, Balmacaan Woods, and Urquhart Bay Woods.
The Loch Ness Hub in the centre of the village offers luggage storage while you look round.
Note: the 917 service is infrequent, so you may spend longer here than you want. To avoid this, you can leave Inverness later on the Citylink service 919 (Fort William service) or Stagecoach service 17 and then continue your journey to Skye on the 917.
View from Craigmonie Woods
Trees in Craigmonie Woods
Suggested stopping point: Urquhart Castle
Situated on the shores of Loch Ness, shortly after Drumnadrochit. The castle is almost entirely ruined and yet remains one of Scotland's top visitor attractions. Here you can learn about 1000 years’ of history including conflict, power struggles and being blown up in 1692.
It has amazing views over Loch Ness and is one of the few places on the north side of the loch where you can reach the water – there is a small, stony beach there (no swimming). There is also a visitor centre with a small exhibition, a film show, shop and cafe.
Note: there is no luggage storage and you will need to keep items with you at all times. Luggage is allowed in the castle, however, if travelling in a group you may prefer to take it in turns to sit in the cafe.
Note: the 917 service is infrequent, so you may spend longer here than you want. To avoid this, you can leave Inverness later on the Citylink service 919 (Fort William service) and then continue your journey to Skye on the 917.
A glorious day at Urquhart Castle
The castle is ruined
View of Loch Ness from Urquhart Castle beach
After Drumnadrochit and Urquhart Castle the coach continues its journey along Loch Ness, through the small village of Invermoriston. Here you will turn off for the road west to Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye.
The 919 service to Fort William continues south to Fort Augustus and Fort William. See our guide to the Citylink journey between Inverness and Fort William.
Our 917 service now travels through Glen Moriston with the River Moriston on your left. You will pass Dundreggan Dam and Reservoir.
Suggested stopping point: Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
This is an initiative by the charity Trees for Life who are in the process of rewilding the 10,000 acre Dundreggan estate. There are a series of footpaths as well as new visitor centre with shop and cafe.
We have been a few times and enjoyed it. The cafe food is tasty and we enjoy walking the juniper path.
The centre has confirmed that they are able to hold some luggage while visitors enjoy the walks.
Note: This is a request stop on the opposite side of the road from the centre. As the Citylink service is infrequent, you would have around 4 hours here.
Returning to the coach route, soon after the Rewilding Centre the coach crosses the river and continues with it now on your right. Shortly afterwards, look out for the Roderick Mackenzie memorial cairn on your left.
Roderick Mackenzie was an officer in Bonnie Prince Charlie's army, whose likeness to the Prince enabled him to claim to be him as he was shot in 1746. This allowed the Prince to escape. Roderick Macknenzie's grave is on the opposite side of the road, on the banks of the river.
The journey continues to reach Loch Cluanie on the left. As you travel alongside it you will enjoy mountain views. After Glenmoriston you move into Glen Shiel where the mountain scenery continues.
On the right you will pass the site of the Battle of Glenshiel which took place on 10 June 1719. This was the sole battle fought during the 1719 Jacobite Rising and the Jacobite defeat ended the 1719 uprising. There is a small memorial visible at the side of the road.
From here you continue through the mountains with the River Shiel on your right until reaching Loch Shiel. At the west end of the loch, the coach crosses the River Shiel at Shiel Bridge.
Now Loch Duich comes into view and you travel alongside with it on the left. Look out for the ruin of St Dubhthac's Church on the right. Continue along Loch Duich, passing through the village of Inverinate.
Suggested stopping point: Eilean Donan Castle
This may be the most famous and photographed castle in the world. There is a good chance you will recognise it as soon as you see it. The castle was originally built in the 13th century but had become a ruin and was rebuilt and opened in 1932.
Note: Rucksacks and large bags are not allowed inside the castle, however, there are lockers available.
Note: the 917 service is infrequent, so you will probably spend longer here than you would choose. There is another Citylink service, the 915 from Glasgow to Skye, which you could depart on, however, the timings are close to the that of the 917.
View from the other side of Loch Long Bridge
After Eilean Donan Castle the coach crosses Loch Long Bridge where Loch Long meets Loch Duich. The journey then continues alongside Loch Alsh.
Loch Alsh looking east from the road
Looking across to Skye
Kyle of Lochalsh coming into view
The road alongside Loch Alsh will bring you in to Kyle of Lochalsh. See our Guide to Kyle of Lochalsh.
For the next part of the journey from Kyle of Lochalsh to Portree, see our Guide to Skye.
Page last updated 13 October 2025