If you are travelling from Continental Europe you may fly to Glasgow International, Glasgow Prestwick, Edinburgh or Inverness airports, which are well served by several European airlines. Inverness is closest to the college (approximately 100 miles or 160km).

If you are travelling from Canada or USA, or elsewhere in the world, Air Canada, Air Transat, Icelandair, WestJet, American, Delta, United, and Emirates are some of the airlines which operate directly into Glasgow International or Edinburgh, though some services are seasonal. You may also fly into London and make a domestic connection from there to Glasgow International, Inverness or Edinburgh.

Onward travel to the college:- Information is given here for drivers and for both buses and trains. You can find useful information about driving conditions at http://www.trafficScotland.org, and all forms of public transport at http://www.TravelineScotland.com. Information about trains may be found at http://www.scotrail.co.uk and ferry timetables and service status may be found at http://www.Calmac.co.uk. All of these organisations offer mobile-phone applications for live tracking of services.

Driving:-

Many roads in rural Scotland are narrow “single track roads with passing-places”, which are not wide enough for two vehicles to pass. When using single track roads it is customary when meeting oncoming traffic that the vehicle which reaches the passing-place first stops, regardless of which side of the road the passing-place is on. If the passing-place is on your left, drive into it. If the passing-place is on your right, stop opposite it – do not drive into it. Should you go past a passing-place and you are closer to one than oncoming traffic you will be expected to reverse back to the passing-place.

Please familiarise yourself with the rules of the roads in Scotland by visiting the following website. https://roadsafety.scot

If you hire a car in Glasgow, drive to Malaig (approx. 150 miles from Glasgow, but allow 4 hours to Malaig + rest stops as the roads are narrow and winding) and take the ferry to Armadale (again subject to weather). Advance reservation for vehicles is compulsory for this route and you must check in 30 mins before departure. The crossing takes 30 to 40 mins depending on the vessel. Alternatively go via Kyle of Lochalsh to avoid the ferry – approx. 200 miles from Glasgow – allow 4.5 hours + rest stops. OR

If you hire a car in Inverness, drive via Kyle of Lochalsh and come over the bridge, approx. 100 miles from Inverness – allow 2.5 hours.

OR

If you hire a car in Edinburgh, drive via Dalwhinnie & Spean Bridge to Malaig – allow 4.5 hours in total + rest stops. Alternatively go via Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh to avoid the ferry – 5.5 hours + rest stops.

Car Hire on the Island

Those arriving at a major airport may wish to hire a car there, especially if you intend keeping the vehicle for the whole duration of your stay. However, information is provided below for local car-hire companies, many of whom will deliver a vehicle for collection at Kyle of Lochalsh railway station or one of the ferry terminals, which might be a useful alternative for those who only need a car for a few days whilst on the island.

Public Transport

Inverness Airport:- Take a bus from the airport to Inverness, then:- Either:-

1. Train to Kyle of Lochalsh (approx. 80 miles, 2hrs 40m) and then a taxi to the college (20 miles approximately).

OR

2. Take a bus from Inverness to Broadford (approx. 90 miles). From Broadford a bus or taxi to the college, (15 miles) though buses are Depending on your time of arrival you may find there are other people travelling to the college with whom you may be able to share a taxi.

Glasgow International Airport (10 miles from the city):- Either

1. Take the express bus from the airport to Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station (NOT Central Station), or Glasgow Buchanan St Bus Station as appropriate (15-30 mins depending on traffic), then follow directions from Glasgow City

OR

2. Take Scottish Citylink bus service 915 from the airport direct to Broadford, Isle of Skye (approx. 180 miles, 7 hours). From Broadford take a bus or taxi to the college (15 miles), though buses are Depending on your time of arrival you may find there are other people travelling with you to the college with whom you may be able to share a taxi.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport (30 miles from the city):-

The airport has its own railway station with a regular service to Glasgow Central station (approx. 45 mins). It’s a short walk from there to Glasgow Queen St Station or Buchanan St Bus station as appropriate (or you can take the shuttle bus) where you can make connections from “Glasgow City” explained below.

Glasgow City:– Either

1. Take a train from Glasgow Queen Street station (NOT Central) to Malaig (approx. 150 miles, 5 hours). This train is often split at Crianlarich with one half going to Oban and the other going to Fort William & Malaig, so ensure you sit in the correct carriage for your destination. Reservation may be required between Fort William and Malaig – this route is famous for its scenic views. Take the ferry from Malaig to Armadale (approx. 30 – 40 mins crossing – foot passengers must check in 15 mins in advance of departure). The college is about 2 miles from the ferry terminal. There is a bus service from the ferry terminal which passes the college, or you may find there are others travelling to the college with whom you could share a taxi.

OR

2. Take a bus from Glasgow Buchanan St bus station to Broadford (approx. 190 miles, 7 hours – buses to Portree and Uig (Skye) usually stop in Broadford). From Broadford take a bus or taxi to the college (15 miles), though buses are infrequent. Again, depending on your time of arrival you may find there are other people travelling with you to the college with whom you may be able to share a taxi.

Edinburgh Airport:– Either

1. Take a bus or tram to Edinburgh city and then train from either Haymarket or Waverley stations to Kyle of Lochalsh (approx. 230 miles with a change at Inverness) or bus to Broadford (240 miles with a change at Inverness), and then a taxi to the college (approx. 20 miles).

OR

2. Take the express bus from Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow Buchan St Bus Station (approx. 40 miles, up to 1.5 hours depending on traffic) and follow the connection information from Glasgow City.

London

If you are travelling from the south of England you may like to consider the Caledonian Sleeper train, which offers overnight services from London to Glasgow, Fort William, and Inverness. Details may be found online at https://www.sleeper.scot/

Currency

The unit of currency in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom is the Pound Sterling (GBP, £1 = 100 pence).

Three Scottish banks are authorised to issue Sterling currency notes; the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the Clydesdale Bank, and notes from all three of these banks circulate widely in Scotland. Bank of England notes are also used. All of these are legal currency throughout the United Kingdom though some businesses in England & Wales have been known to refuse any note not issued by the Bank of England. Further information, including images of notes for familiarisation, may be obtained from the Committee of Scottish Bankers website:- http://www.scotbanks.org.uk/.

Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards are almost universally accepted. American Express is less widely accepted outside of large chain hotels and restaurants.

All prices displayed on goods in shops already include VAT (sales tax) where appropriate so there is no need to add this separately as is customary in some countries such as Canada and USA. If you live outside of the European Union you may (subject to rules changing as a result of Brexit) be able to recover the VAT on purchased goods when you take them out of the UK if you retain VAT receipts; credit card receipt vouchers are not acceptable for this purpose. All VAT-registered businesses must issue a VAT receipt on request, and most do so automatically.