Driving the Old Military Road from Shiel Bridge to Glenelg
Scotland, europe
14.6 km
348 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Scotland, and you're about to discover a road most tourists completely miss. This is the Shiel Bridge-Glenelg road, a hidden gem in the western Highlands, and trust me, it's a stunner.
Originally built way back in 1815 as a military road, it was revamped in the 80s, replacing the old route to Bernera Barracks. It's only 9.1 miles (14.6 km) long, connecting Shiel Bridge, right on the edge of Loch Duich, with Glenelg.
Now, don't let the "fully paved" part fool you. This road is a *driver's* road. It's all twists, turns, ups, and downs, and for several kilometers, it's a single-track road. That means you need to be extra careful, especially when the light's fading or the weather's closing in. Some of those hills are seriously steep, hitting gradients of 15%! But hey, you're climbing to 348m above sea level!
The reward? Oh man, the views! This is easily one of the most scenic drives *ever*. Think almost alpine scenery, breathtaking vistas at every turn, and photo opportunities galore. The single-track section weaves through Ratagan Forest, and those passing places? Each one's a mini-viewpoint! Keep your eyes peeled, you might even spot golden eagles or red deer. Seriously, this is a Scottish road trip you won't forget.
Where is it?
Driving the Old Military Road from Shiel Bridge to Glenelg is located in Scotland (europe). Coordinates: 52.9683, -2.9579
Road Details
- Country
- Scotland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 348 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 52.9683, -2.9579
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