Cycling on the Isle of Skye : Broadford – Elgol was the first day of three days cycling on my five day trip to Skye. The trip covered the period 19 – 23 April 2023.
The weather was forecast to be sunny on Skye for several days this week which was why I had planned to go cycling here during this period.
I drove up to Skye on Wednesday 19th. April 2023. The drive up was through wonderful scenery including alongside Loch Lomond. I then drove up through Glen Coe and past Fort William. After this it was up through Glen Shiel to Kyle of Lochalsh. Finally over the Skye Bridge to the small town of Broadford on the Isle of Skye.
There were fantastic views all around all the way on the drive up.
I cycled from Broadford to Elgol the following day, on Thursday 20th. April 2023.
Broadford
Broadford is a small town situated on Broadford Bay. There are fine views across the bay from the Main Street.
There is a short walk along the side of the bay that provides good views over the bay. It is accessed over a wooden bridge just off the Main Street. Below is a view of the bridge as seen from the restaurant in the Broadford Hotel.
Cycling on the Isle of Skye : Broadford - Elgol
- Route directions
This route is straightforward as it follows the B8083 road all the way from Broadford to Elgol.
The B8083 road is located off the A87 road at the Broadford Hotel.
Cycling on the Isle of Skye : Broadford - Elgol
- My Timings & Distances
Left Broadford 10.40 / Elgol 1.10 (14.53) / Lunch outside Elgol Shop to 1.40 / Harbour 1.45 – 2.10 / Left Elgol 2.20 / Mrs. Macks snack bar 3.25 – 3.40 (23.59) / Back at Broadford 4.35 (29.62).
(The figures in brackets are the cumulative distance in miles from the start of the route.)
Cycling on the Isle of Skye : Broadford - Elgol
- Log
Broadford - Torrin
Having driven up from Glasgow to Broadford yesterday I was ready to cycle direct from the hotel on the morning of Thursday 20th. April 2023.
As forecast it was another beautiful sunny day with a clear blue sky and hardly a cloud to be seen. In the morning there was hardly any wind in the main, but there were some gusts at times.
The first section of the ride in the morning was relatively flat with a few undulations in places. It was on a quiet country road through some fine scenery.
The road passed by the hamlet of Swordale, which was one of only two places of habitation that there was on this road.
Later on the first long range view of the dramatic mountain Bla Bheinn came into view.
Torrin - Elgol
I then reached the village of Torrin.
The weather had remained glorious the whole morning. It was warm and sunny with a clear blue sky and hardly a cloud to be seen. In the main it wasn’t windy in the morning, although there were one or two gusts of wind at times.
The first section of the route this morning was relatively flat with some undulations in places.
After passing through Torrin there was a fabulous close up view of Bla Bheinn.
Later on I passed by Amy’s Tea Room.
Not long after passing by Amy’s Tea Room there was a snack bar called Mrs. Mack’s.
The road continued to the top of Loch Slapin where there were fine views down over the loch.
Once I got past Torrin and round the top of the loch it started to get really hilly. There were some very steep hills and steep descents in this section of the route.
I used the first level of assistance from the electric motor on my e-bike to help me up some of the hills. Then I came to a long steep hill and I had to use the second level of assistance to help get me up this hill.
I used the electric motor earlier on the hills than I normally do. I wanted to conserve my energy as I knew I had another two days cycling to do.
Elgol
I eventually reached the outskirts of the small village of Elgol.
At this point there was Mary’s Thatched Cottages where there were four thatched cottages to let.
On the hill in the house next door was this carving of a Scots warrior.
Further along there was an honesty box where you could buy souvenirs.
After I climbed up the very steep hill to the top of the headland there were fine views down over the bay.
After reaching the top of the headland there was a very, very steep descent all the way down to Elgol harbour.
At first I didn’t go all the way down to the harbour. Instead I stopped off at the headland just above the harbour, where the Elgol Shop is.
I went into the shop and bought two filled rolls and juice for my lunch. I sat at the picnic table outside the shop and ate my lunch in the sunshine.
After lunch I cycled down the very steep final hill to the harbour.
The harbour was very busy with tourists and there were hardly any parking spaces left.
At the harbour there are two separate companies offering boat trips to see wildlife.
Elgol - Broadford
The climb back up from Elgol harbour was, of course, really, really steep. It was long and hard going. I had to use the electric motor on my e-bike to get me up the hills. I used mostly the second and third levels of assistance and, for a short distance, I used the highest level of assistance.
On the continuing hills after leaving Elgol whenever required I also used the second and third levels of assistance at times, although I mostly used the first level of assistance.
The assistance from the electric motor was also welcome as, about ten minutes after climbing up out of Elgol, there was a very strong head wind. This continued all the way to the top of Loch Slapin. It still remained a glorious sunny day however.
After rounding the top of Loch Slapin I stopped at Mrs. Macks snack bar for tea and cake. I sat at one of the picnic tables and admired the wonderful views down Loch Slapin whilst enjoying the afternoon sunshine.
I had hoped that the wind would abate after turning round the loch and cycling on to the relatively flatter section of the route back. This didn’t transpire. There remained quite a strong headwind all the way back to Broadford.