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Western Highlands

Invergarry, to the west of Loch Oich, marks the starting point of the other Road to the Isles, the A87. To start with the road follows the course of the River Garry, near where it flows into Loch Oich, towards Loch Garry, turning to the northwest as it reaches the loch and then travelling along its northern side. At the point where the main A87 diverges from the loch a narrower road continues alongside. This road follows the River Garry to its source at Loch Quoich and continues past that loch, eventually leading to Kinloch Hourn. This is the only road that approaches the Knoydart peninsula, but this is also the end of the road for most vehicles!

Returning to the A87, this road starts to climb as it turns away fro Loch Garry and it is not far before one of the most amazing sights in Scotland is reached. On a map Loch Garry looks like a narrow stretch of water which becomes even narrower near the middle where it is crossed by a small bridge. In fact the loch itself is formed by the River Garry widening as it flows from the west. However, when seen from a viewpoint at the side of the A87, looking southwest into the valley below, the loch appears to have the same shape as Scotland. Some people even refer to it as the Scottish Loch or Loch Scotland.

Further on the A87 turns north and passes the eastern end of Loch Loyne and soon after crosses the River Loyne. It then crosses the River Moriston which flows east from Loch Cluanie through Glen Moriston to Loch Ness. At this point the A87 joins the A887, which heads east following Glen Moriston to Invermoriston while the A87 continues west through Glen Shiel to Shiel Bridge at the western end of Loch Duich. From here a minor road heads to Glenelg while the A87 continues through Lochalsh. About a mile or so south east of  Glenelg are two Iron Age brochs, Dun Telve and Dun Troddan, that stand over 30ft tall.

The area at the head of Loch Duich is overlooked by the Five Sisters of Kintail; Sgurr Fhuaran (1067m/3501 ft) is the highest peak in the range and three of the other peaks are also Munros - Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe (1027m/3369 ft), Sgurr na Carnach (1002m/3287 ft) and Sgurr nan Saighead (929m/3047 ft). The Five Sisters forms part of the Kintail and Morvich estate that is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

Eilean Donan Castle sits at the point where Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh meet.

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