Skye Bridge

The Skye Bridge Framed by the Cuillin, and Kyle of Lochalsh in the Foreground

There's something romantic about an island, and for many people the most romantic of Scottish islands is Skye. Since October 1995, Skye has been linked to mainland Scotland by a bridge, and there are those who feel it ceased to be a true island as a result. For others, the Skye Bridge is simply a faster and more reliable way to cross to the Isle of Skye.

Seen From Below And from the North The Bridge from Kyle

Until 1995 you had a choice of three ferry routes to Skye. The CalMac ferry from Mallaig to Armadale remains a firm favourite, while the Glenelg to Kylerhea ferry continues to provide a March to October alternative for those wishing to explore a fascinating corner of the Highlands. But in October 1995 the ferries from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin were withdrawn from service, and traffic instead began to use the new Skye Bridge.

Kyle of Lochalsh had been the location of a ferry link to Skye since 1600 or earlier, though cattle en route to lowland markets still had to swim across the half kilometer of water as late as 1800. You can read an account of the difficulties of using the ferry in 1864 here. The coming of better road links to Kyle in 1819, and in particular the Highland Line rail link to Inverness in 1897, confirmed Kyle of Lochalsh in its role as the primary link to Skye: with Kyleakin as its counterpart on the island.

Those who remember Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyleakin as places in which you unwillingly queued for the ferries at busy times will find both much improved since the opening of the bridge. The new road from the Skye end of the bridge bypasses Kyleakin, making it a rather quieter place than it used to be, while Kyle of Lochalsh is, if anything, still more bustling than before and much more attractive.

The Skye Bridge was the subject of controversy both before it was built and during its construction: and it remained controversial afterwards. Not often recognised by critics is that the bridge provides a level of service the ferries never could. It is open 24 hours per day; it isn't nearly so subject to adverse weather; and ferry queues are a thing of the past.

The Bridge Under Construction

Pre October 1995: The Ferries

For many years particular controversy surrounded the levels of the tolls, which were far higher than for other toll bridges in Scotland and aroun the UK. But at 7.30am on 21 December 2004 the tolls were removed from the bridge. There has since been no charge for crossing the Skye Bridge in either direction.