For the purposes of this web page I've rather exceeded the normal geographical bounds of Kintail itself, but it's by far the most appropriate definition for the area this page covers. The area described here is centred on the Loch Alsh / Loch Long / Loch Duich system, its continuation inland via Glen Shiel as far as Loch Cluanie, and the ranges of mountains to either side. It's bounded to the north by the Glen Elchaig - Glen Gaorsaic - Upper Glen Affric valley system, and to the south by the Loch Garry - Loch Quoich - Loch Hourn road. Towards the coast it includes the Glenelg and Duirnish peninsulae either side of Loch Alsh.
The area contains 25 Munros and a host of lesser hills, among them the celebrated Five Sisters of Kintail and the excellent South Glenshiel ridge. The main settlement in the area is Kyle of Lochalsh, a tiny town at the western end of the Kyle railway. Formerly it was the ferry terminal for the short crossing to Skye, but the new Skye Bridge has now replaced the ferry. Skye is no longer isolated; the bridge has made the crossing simple, reliable and swift (though horrendously expensive).
There are villages around the coast such as Plockton, the setting for a recent TV drama series, while settlements alongside the Loch Alsh / Loch Duich route include Dornie and Shiel Bridge. Most of the rest of the area is, however, gloriously empty but for the odd inn such as those at Cluanie and Tomdoun.
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Kintail, seen from a coach trip to Skye, July 1979 |
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Eilean Donan and Loch Alsh, September 1979 |
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Motoring through Kintail, May 1980 |
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Morvich and Falls of Glomach, August 2000 |
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The South Glenshiel Ridge, September 2000 |
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Carn Ghluasaid and Sgurr nan Conbhairean, Sept 2000 |
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This page last updated 15th January 2005
