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The stone cairn at the Ratagan Pass viewpoint, the Five Sisters of Kintail rising above Loch Duich beyond.
Ross and Cromarty

Ratagan Pass viewpoint

A car park high on the pass between Loch Duich and Glenelg, with one of the great views of the Highlands: the Five Sisters of Kintail above the head of the loch.

Welcome

From Shiel Bridge, at the head of Loch Duich, a narrow road turns off towards Glenelg and climbs in hairpin bends up the side of the hill, almost like an Alpine pass.

Before 1819 this was the only way overland to Skye. Three-quarters of the way to the top there is a car park, and it is one of the finest places to stop in the whole of the Highlands.

The view is straight up the length of Loch Duich to the Five Sisters of Kintail, a line of steep, pointed peaks standing shoulder to shoulder above the head of the loch. Local legend says they were once sisters who waited so long for promised husbands from Ireland that they were turned to stone to keep their beauty.

Stay for the changing light, then carry on over the top of the pass, at 1,100 feet, and down to Glenelg, its brochs and its little ferry over the sea to Skye.

A short drive awayGlenelg InnFood and a fire at the foot of the pass.10 min by roadSee itPicnic tables in the Glenelg Inn's garden, the Sound of Sleat and the hills of Skye beyond.
Before you go

The viewpoint is open at all times and free, with a car park on the single-track road over the pass.

Where
On the road from Shiel Bridge to Glenelg, IV40 8HP.
The view
The Five Sisters of Kintail and Loch Duich.
Where it is

On the single-track road from the head of Loch Duich over the Ratagan Pass to Glenelg, about three-quarters of the way up.

Close byKintail.
  1. Box of assorted Highland chocolates from chocolatesofglenmarkie.com on a wooden sliceChocolates of Glenshiel3 miles4 min by road
  2. Gravestones and gorse bushes below mountains flanking a wide glenClachan Duich Burial GroundThe old church of Kintail at the head of the loch.5 miles7 min by road
  3. The roofless stone ranges of Bernera Barracks standing in rough grass with a hill behind.Bernera BarracksThe substantial ruins of redcoat barracks built near Glenelg after 1715 to guard the crossing to Skye, for up to 240 soldiers.7 miles9 min by road
  4. The Glenelg FerryThe Glenelg FerryThe little turntable ferry over the sea to Skye.7 miles9 min by road
  5. Shelves in the Shore Station shop with teddy bears in Skye Ferry jumpers, prints and small gifts.Shore Station Café8 miles10 min by road
Directions
Eilean Donan Castle on its island, linked by stone footbridge over the lochAttractionsEilean Donan Castle4.0 miles over the water
Picnic tables in the Glenelg Inn's garden, the Sound of Sleat and the hills of Skye beyond.RestaurantsGlenelg Inn6.8 miles
A low stone enclosure on the grassy floor of Glen Shiel, the steep hillsides rising into cloud behind.AttractionsBattle of Glen Shiel8.3 miles
Kyle Rhea seen through bare trees from the path to the otter hide, the mainland hills beyond.AttractionsKylerhea Otter Haven8.3 miles
WalksOtter Hide9.4 miles
Drystone broch walls rise beside a wooded hillside under grey cloudsAttractionsDun Telve and Dun Troddan9.7 miles
Group in yellow helmets and coloured jackets posing beneath a cascading waterfallAttractionsSkye Highland Adventures15 miles
Stone-walled cottage interior with wood-burning stove, leather sofa and kitchen tableRoss and CromartyLusa BothyPlace to stay · 23 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the viewpoint, and when each is next free.

Kinloch Lodge, Isle of SkyeKinloch Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 13 miles from the Ratagan Pass
Check datesStone-walled cottage interior with wood-burning stove, leather sofa and kitchen tableLusa Bothy
  • To stay
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 13 miles from the Ratagan Pass
Check datesEilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 14 miles from the Ratagan Pass
Check datesA dark timber-clad cabin with a corrugated metal roof sits on a gravel drive amid moorland scrub.Stonechat Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 15 miles from the Ratagan Pass
Free 2–5 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in Ross and CromartyAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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