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Location notes
Kyle of Lochalsh sits on the west coast of Scotland, north west of Inverness. It sits at the very end of the Kyle Line, which was fully completed in 1897, and the station itself offers glorious views of the Isle of Skye, just five minutes drive away, and no longer a 'bonnie boat over the sea'.
Railway type and traffic
All passenger trains are in the hands of class 158 units, with around 4 trains a day. Railtours sometimes come along here, usually diesel hauled.
Currently, there is no freight traffic.
Environment
The small town sits next to the sea, and so the weather can change. In the autumn and winter, pack warm clothing. The town is peaceful, and you should encounter no difficulties after dark.
Road directions
From either Inverness or Fort William, follow the A82 road, until you see a sign showing the direction to Kyle. From Fort William, this will be near Fort Augustus, from Inverness, follow the A82 to Invermorriston, and then turn onto the Kyle Road. Give yourself about 90 minutes to drive there. The road is fairly speedy in places but some sections are narrow with passing places.
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Parking
There is a small station car park, on the approach ramp. Do not park in the yellow boxes. These are for staff. If the parking is full, go back to the top of the ramp, turn left, and at the traffic lights, turn left, to go to the free parking. From that car park, just retrace your route back to the station.
Public transport
For bus times, visit
Citylink or call 0870 608 2 608.
First Scotrail provide 3 trains each way a day from Inverness to Kyle, with two on a Sunday. Visit
First Scotrail for times. For directions from the bus station, turn back up to the traffic lights, and turn right, and follow the road until you get to the ramp going onto the station.
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Amenities
The Friends of the Kyle Line have a shop at the west end of the platform. Do pop in and support them. Items include a DVD, showing the drivers eye view from Inverness to Kyle, filmed on 37262 in 1987.
There are toilets on the station (free of charge) and near tourist information (20p). Otherwise, you will need to be a pub or cafe customer. There are plenty of cafes in Kyle of Lochalsh, as well as a post office, banks, chemists, and tourist information. All are 2 minutes walk from the station.
Accommodation
Kyle is the last point on the mainland before Skye, so is well blessed with accommodation. However, if you intend to stay overnight, best to book in advance. This is a tourist resort all year round, especially now that there is a road bridge to Skye.
Cuchulainns Bunkhouse (01599 534492) offers reasonably priced accomodation. Turn left at top of station approach and it is the first building on the right.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Kyle of Lochalsh
Googly map
Streetmap links
Kyle of Lochalsh general view map
Kyle of Lochalsh close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kyle of Lochalsh
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Photographic notes
The only advice to give is that in the morning, the sun will be in your shots Skye bound (west). The top end of the station is in a cutting, and some buildings will mask the sun.
The harbour is still in use, and lorries, usually with timber, will be getting unloaded in the area next to the station. Often you will hear boats idling in the harbour.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south - Image � Dougie Henderson.
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking south
Fig 4 - Looking south - Photo by Marcus Dawson
Fig 5 - Looking south - Photo by Marcus Dawson
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