The old military road from Shiel Bridge to Glenelg

The Shiel Bridge-Glenelg road is a very scenic journey located in the Lochalsh area of Highland in western Scotland. This is one of those roads that seems to be missed and is not a busy road but has some good views.

Shiel Bridge-Glenelg road

The road is 14.6 km (9.1 miles) long and links the villages of Shiel Bridge, on the south east shore of Loch Duich at the foot of Glen Shiel and Glenelg. Located in the Scottish Highlands, this is an old military road built in 1815 (and rebuilt in the 1980s) to replace the earlier route used by the military to get to Bernera Barracks.
The journey offers an exhilarating driving experience, with superb views. It does have one of the finest roadside views in the world from it though, with superb views for much of the way. This is definitely one road trip that you want to record with lots of photographs. The single track road then winds its way through part of Ratagan forest and the views from the numerous passing places/parking spots are just stunning. There are lots of viewpoints, official and unofficial. The road is a delight to drive, with every kind of twist and turn. The area is home to golden eagles and red deer. It is a journey you will not forget, for the right reasons.

The surface of the road is asphalt. The road is not easy, though. Up, down, right, left all the time. It runs as a single track for some kilometers. Driving at night, or in poor visibility, is not recommended for drivers unfamiliar with the road. It’s a very steep drive, with some sections up to 15%. This follows a magnificent route that is almost alpine in character. Its highest elevation is at 348m above the sea level.
Road suggested by: Richard Wakem