Loch Ness and the Road to the Isles
Down the Great Glen past Urquhart Castle to Fort William, then west on the A830 to Glenfinnan, the Silver Sands of Morar and Mallaig.
- Distance
- 182 km (113 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 31 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- United Kingdom
- Updated
- July 25, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 182 km (113 mi) with 8 stops, from Inverness to Mallaig. About 2 h 31 min of driving in total.
More road trips in United Kingdom · More road trips from Inverness
Route description
Leave Inverness on the A82, which follows the north-west shore of Loch Ness for most of its length. Urquhart Castle is about 25 km out, just past Drumnadrochit; its car park fills by late morning in summer, so make it your first stop. The A82 is a busy trunk road with long lorries and coaches, so use the lay-bys for photos rather than stopping on the verge.
At Fort Augustus the Caledonian Canal climbs out of the loch through a flight of five locks, and you can watch boats working through them from the towpath. Continue south-west along Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. Just before Spean Bridge the Commando Memorial stands on a rise with a free car park and a wide view of Ben Nevis and the Grey Corries.
Fort William is the place to shop and refuel before heading west. The A830, the Road to the Isles, runs about 70 km to Mallaig and is now two-lane for its whole length. Glenfinnan comes after 25 km: the steam train crosses the viaduct in the late morning and afternoon from spring to autumn, and the visitor centre car park is full well before it arrives.
Beyond Arisaig, take the old B8008 coast road for the Silver Sands of Morar; Camusdarach Beach looks out to Eigg and Rum and suits a long lunch stop. Mallaig is a working fishing port at the end of the road. From here car ferries cross to Armadale on Skye in about 45 minutes, a good way to link this drive with a Skye loop.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Inverness
United Kingdom - 227 km
Urquhart Castle
HistoryDrumnadrochit, United KingdomA ruined castle on a headland above Loch Ness, blown up in 1692 so Jacobite forces could not use it. Historic Environment Scotland charges entry, and the car park on the A82 fills by late morning in summer.
- 331 km
Fort Augustus
United Kingdom - 440 km
Commando Memorial
HistorySpean Bridge, United KingdomA bronze group of three commandos, unveiled in 1952 for the troops who trained in this area during the Second World War. The free car park at the A82 and B8004 junction looks across to Ben Nevis.
- 516 km
Fort William
United Kingdom - 626 km
Glenfinnan Viaduct
HistoryGlenfinnan, United KingdomA curving 21-arch concrete railway viaduct of 1901, crossed by the Jacobite steam train from spring to autumn. Park at the National Trust for Scotland visitor centre (fee) and take the path up to the hillside viewpoint.
- 732 km
Camusdarach Beach
NatureMorar, United KingdomOne of the white Silver Sands of Morar beaches, with views out to Eigg, Rum and Skye, and a location in the film Local Hero. A small car park lies off the B8008 coast road south of Morar.
- 810 km
Mallaig
United Kingdom
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Inverness → Fort Augustus · 58 km · 0 h 48 minOn the way: Urquhart Castle.Overnight nearby, for example: Faichemard Farm Campsite (12 km); Loch Ness Highland Resort (< 1 km).
- Day 2: Fort Augustus → Fort William · 56 km · 0 h 46 minOn the way: Commando Memorial.Overnight nearby, for example: Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping Park (3 km); Linnhe Lochside Holiday Park (4 km).
- Day 3: Fort William → Mallaig · 69 km · 0 h 57 minOn the way: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Camusdarach Beach.Overnight nearby, for example: Sunnyside Croft Touring Site (8 km); Tigh na Mara Campsite and Pods (9 km).
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Loch Ness and the Road to the Isles?
3-day road trip of about 182 km (113 mi) with 8 stops, from Inverness to Mallaig. About 2 h 31 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Loch Ness and the Road to the Isles?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 31 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Loch Ness and the Road to the Isles start and end?
It starts in Inverness and ends in Mallaig.
Which countries does Loch Ness and the Road to the Isles pass through?
United Kingdom.
Where can you camp along Loch Ness and the Road to the Isles?
OpenStreetMap lists 57 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Kessock Caravan Park, Ardtower Caravan Park and Bunchrew Caravan Park.
When is the best time for Loch Ness and the Road to the Isles?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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