DashCam Footage from The Road to the Isles: Fort William to Mallaig, Scotland (A830)

My last video was from the Isle of Eigg. To catch the ferry I had a four-hour drive from Edinburgh, the last part of which is called 'The Road to the Isles' running the final stretch between Fort William and Mallaig. I had a number of requests to include something from this famous section of road, so here's my something...
This is dash-cam footage from my GoPro8 mounted on the windscreen. I have cut it down to only the more impressive parts of the drive as there were a LOT of roadworks, I guess as they prepare for the busier summer season ahead. It was still a pleasure to drive, although not quite as impressive as the train journey along the same route.
Please sit back and enjoy the video, it has a very relaxing soundtrack, almost ASMR :D (I didn't want to soundtrack the footage, but the drone of my van engine was just not as relaxing!)
If you get the chance to drive this route, be sure to take your time and stop off at some fascinating and famous places along the way. I was in a bit of a rush for the ferry, so no such luxury today!
Filmed on 28th March 2022. I left Fort William around 8am and was in Mallaig for my ferry to Eigg around 1 hour later. The drive is 43 miles (70km) in total on safe, but winding roads.
Music Courtesy of epidemicsound.com
'Steps to Mindfulness'
Map Courtesy of Google Maps
Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on KZbin. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do read every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.
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/ stevemarsh

[@peterbartlett4082]

All with the bonus of a cloudless blue sky!!

[@steve-marsh]

I got lucky for sure mate!

[@johndare3576]

Fantastic video Steve. It’s just reinforces what a beautiful country Scotland is. Sometimes you don’t need words to describe it, the images say it all.

[@steve-marsh]

So true mate, I can't put that drive into words, no way!

[@iaintoms7071]

I remember riding my Lambretta along that road in 1966 when it was very different! It remains as one of the most beautiful drives as have ever driven. I was transfixed by the views of Skye from the beaches at Arisaig.

[@alistairmccausland1580]

Steve, boy this has just got to be one of the best ever films you have produced, ever! If ever there was a true Scotsman who could promote Scotland's natural beauty on behalf of Scottish Enterprise and the people of Scotland it's you. So well done to you Steve I say it again you are fast becoming one of our own natural assets, a well deserved Oscar is in the post! Music superb too mate!!!

[@steve-marsh]

Alistair, thank you SO much!!! I wasn't even sure I was going to use this footage, glad now that I did! And need to think of some other drives too :)

[@w00dy67-1]

@@steve-marsh the A835 out to Ullapool from Inverness is a beautiful drive. You may want to stay over though to shorten the driving, it would be about a 9 hour round trip from Edinburgh.

[@Bo88y22]

@@steve-marsh Any time you are in the highlands the drive is always spectacular ( except when it’s driech) of course.

[@faygal2]

My favourite road in the world. Know it so well, as have been holidaying in this area since I was 8 yrs old, I’m now 65. We had a cottage in Glenuig for many years. Once I leave Fort William I am on the the final pet of the journey to my happy place.

[@faygal2]

They have improved so much the road from Loch Ailort to Mallaig

[@faygal2]

The first year we drove up there was the year after they built the new road from Loch Ailort through past Kinlochmoidart.

[@steve-marsh]

It's a wonderful drive bookended by some incredible destinations :)

[@chriskiwi2601]

Hi Steve, bought back memories when we drove from Mallaig to Fort William after crossing from Isle of Skye late September 2015. We had a cloudless day and no wind. It was absolutely beautiful. Love to revisit it again from Waikato, New Zealand. Cheers.

[@steve-marsh]

It's strange - even though it's on the west coast, the weather there seems to get a pass from what's happening in the rest of Scotland! So glad you got such a day!

[@iantogriffin9928]

Amazing footage and beautiful music, serenity now. Thanks for posting. Scotland is indeed, one of the most beautiful countries on Gods green earth.

[@Momus21]

Relaxing and awe inspiring at the same time. Local Hero is one of my favorite movies.Another Scottish movie that I like is Comfort and Joy.

[@bernicebest]

A very familiar route to Mallaig, have also done the train route, lots of wonderful memories of lazy, hazy days in the Scottish Isles, it seems like yesterday I would marvel at the beautiful scenery, and shining lochs like silver glass, my late husband and I have visited this amazing place winter, spring, summer, and fall, it was always spectacular and magical, I now have a lump in my throat and I’m running out of tissues, thank you 🙏 Steve for another fabulous trip down memory Lane!”👌”🤗 P.s. I love the soundtrack!

[@steve-marsh]

Awww thanks so much Bernice! It really is my favourite place anywhere and the drive up aint so bad either :)

[@DaveyPalmer1]

That was fabulous Steve and made me feel quite emotional as it brought back memories of the happy times my family and I had at Arisaig last year visiting the likes of Camusdarach Beach, the Silver Sands of Morar and, of course, Mallaig itself. That's what Scotland does to you though - it stirs your emotions. Thanks for sharing the vid with us 👍

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Davey, a special part of the world up there eh? Few places closer to my heart!

[@DaveyPalmer1]

@@steve-marsh indeed bud. BTW, we're doing a few nights in Argyle next month so we can have another ride out to the Corryvrecken Whirlpool with Seafari Adventures from the Isle of Seil. We might not have time to pop over to Easdale island but you never know.

[@richardharibo]

These are my favourite type of videos. My late friend was from Glasgow and I've spent many times in Scotland. (I'm from Yorkshire). I've said it before you are my favourite KZbinr. Keep up the great work and when funds allow will become a Patreon too. All the best and thanks for sharing a beautiful country that Scotland is.

[@johndutton8728]

Thank you so much this brought back great memories of my nc500 trip fantastic days this stretch on of the high lights. Stayed a night in the Lochailort Inn went to Glenuig next morning but sadly didn't see Salamaan bay. Missed that one so another trip it is 😀. Then on to skye by ferry. Absolutely Stunning. Thank you again.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers John! I mentioned the bay just because it's a wee hidden gem and another one of those places you could find yourself all alone with not a soul in sight! :)

[@johnallan4826]

Thanks Steve, love all dashcam videos, so relaxing especially as I can’t drive. Thanks for the 250 and 500 as well.

[@steve-marsh]

Very welcome John! I need to get planning more of these :)

[@billycrawford6080]

Lovely drive Steve, this is drive me and my wife have done and will do again many times, we take our Holidays in Lochaber every year for the past 24 years, lovely drives up there, the drive from Spean Bridge to Skye is our best loved one. Cracking drive steve and thanks for this memory, roll on August 👍

[@robinjones6999]

Truly lovely - thanks for posting

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Robin! :)

[@douglashouston81]

Stunning Steve, sometimes all it takes is beautiful Scotland on a nice day, relaxing music and a cup of coffee, thank you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😎

[@steve-marsh]

You are so welcome Douglas! Cheers!

[@arthurgordon6072]

Excellent video Steve. I remember the first time I travelled on that road was in the mid sixties with my parents on a touring holiday. Most of the road was single track with passing places then!

[@roroger2402]

Thanks so much Steve, brought back memories of driving all over Scotland myself, the 3 times I've been there. Cheers.

[@FrankC321]

Very nice, thanks Steve. Countryside, hills, trees, Locks, just wonderful. City scenes pretty cool too.

[@whiskeycook3323]

This was absolutely stunning! Thanks for inviting us along

[@georgeharsin6292]

Great video Steve. Making first time visit from USA to Scotland next month for 6 days. Doing the NC 500 and many of the spots you have filmed the past couple of years. Just hoping mid May will not be too crowded. Thanks again for all the great videos.

[@steve-marsh]

Have a fantastic time George - and whatever the weather throws at you, stay positive - the scenery suits it :) I think May is a perfect time to visit by the way. Let me know how you get on please!

[@bmaspen95]

Hi Steve, great journey must be one of the most beautiful in Scotland, I am doing the same journey tomorrow really looking forward to it. Thanks again for all your trips.

[@steve-marsh]

I guess you're now enroute! All the best Brian! :)

[@pandorabox82]

Seeing this video was a joy and a relief- I’m going to be driving this way myself come late August, and being able to “see” it from what would be my POV is so helpful!

[@delmiller4184]

Thanks Steve. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this beautiful road with you.

[@stevejeffrey7948]

Congratulations on a great film. Stunning scenery, good music and it felt like I was just drifting along. More please.

[@andrewmarsden1970]

More of these please Steve. Strangely comforting to see the wagon with the red trailer almost all the way.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Andrew! Wasn't even sure to put this one out, but so glad it's getting positive feedback :)

[@judym5822]

Wow, absolutely stunning video Steve. Thank you for sharing this beautiful journey with us xx

[@Timstravels01]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this Steve. Incredibly relaxing.

[@onlycompetitions5083]

I do like a drivers-eye view. Great captions along the way too. Thanks.

[@andygraham9728]

I've driven this road numerous times. Never get tired of it.

[@steve-marsh]

And it changes so much by the season eh?

[@andygraham9728]

Yeah Steve my favourite season was Autumn, the red yellow and brown is wonderful.

[@markmclellan7146]

Early morning light is stunning. Interestingly, I've never seen Fort William in the morning light. It's always been around midday by the time I got there from Glasgow or South Uist. Many thanks for posting. Escapism from London 👍

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Mark! It took a very early start for me to see Fort William at dawn :)

[@janetturner7489]

Another trip down memory lane Steve times two! Family holiday at Arisaig in 1971, and a wildlife holiday at Banavie in 2019. This video is so peaceful and the footage just perfect. Thanks for sharing this.👍🤗

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Janet - yeah, if you think the road is good, the destination is even better eh?!

[@janetturner7489]

@@steve-marsh not half, the train ride is great too. 🙂

[@christinehodge3608]

Music absolutely lovely, and all the amazing views, video is gorgeous an all rounder,

[@brianbell4937]

Gosh, that road has been improved out of all recognition from the much single track road that I last used !!

[@steve-marsh]

Ohhh good to hear Brian, I had no idea it used to be like that!

[@thomaslruppert]

Absolutely one beautiful drive - and beautifully filmed - musical score added to the serenity that this film affords the viewer (me👨🏼‍🦲!). Thanks Steve. Tom from WISCONSIN

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Tom! I'm so glad I uploaded this one now :)

[@paulbets2driving]

Great video Steve please more like this

[@steve-marsh]

The planning is underway already Paul :) Cheers!

[@copper6600]

A very nice car ride with beautiful scenery and soft music,Thank you.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much! Need to do more of these now :)

[@markh8116]

As much as I enjoy your regular videos, I really enjoyed this one. A good choice of background music too. Very relaxing. Watched it on the sofa while having a snack and a beverage !

[@davidfalconer5111]

Very enjoyable to watch Steve with lovely music in the background, only been to Mallaig once. The scenery is amazing!!!!!!!!!!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers David! I fancy trying a bus journey there as well!

[@docco007]

Thanks for the video Steve..made me feel melancholic and miss my homeland...we are truly blessed to call ourselves Scottish

[@jbhomme]

What an amazingly scenic drive! Thank you!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks for coming along :)

[@happyhermit2022]

Excellent thank you...great music too 😀

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers mate!

[@jackkuppens8582]

As usually great stuff love your approach to scenery and landscapes, out and about or city like bring it on never enough, Thanks Steve much appreciated

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Jack! really need to do more of this recording on the way to adventures, the trip there is often just as impressive as the final destination!

[@gavinhind5521]

Well you have done it again Another FAB video. Is this your version of ASMR cos it really relaxing and I think I'll be watching it again and again. You certainly saw the lorry with the hap a few times but no pressure in the drive. As I said 10/10 VG very well done bud

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Gavin! I was falling asleep just editing it :D

[@gavinhind5521]

@@steve-marsh So ASMR does work

[@gordon7470]

Great scenic drive, thanks Steve. Did this road on a motorcycle a few years ago, fantastic!

[@grahamlongdon8448]

This was absolutely wonderful to watch

[@myrabenson1603]

Love the music so goes with the video 📹 2nd time i watched this very relaxing 😌 😊

[@ianslater3965]

What a lovely journey, thank you really enjoyed the music and scenery, makes a refreshing change...

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Ian! :)

[@johnn3533]

We love your videos, enjoyed the drive. Thanks for taking us through the land of our ancestors, lots of fun watching from 7000 km away.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much John! :)

[@JohnnyF71]

This is brilliant, and reminds me a lot of Sigur Ros's road trips around Iceland, set to their own beautiful ambient compositions. I'd love to see you do something like that for the whole of the North of Scotland, but at the same time I know what a huge project that would be for you.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers John, it would be a massive project, but I'm not ruling it out yet :)

[@keithwhite1478]

Lovely clear drive. Fantastic scenery and great commentary. Thnanks a lot

[@w00dy67-1]

I’ve driven that journey 😊. We stopped in a cottage opposite Neptunes Staircase for week a couple of years ago & did a day trip to Skye from Mallaig. This brought back happy memories. Thank you 😊

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Dave! Glad you've had the pleasure of this road!

[@w00dy67-1]

@@steve-marsh it’s a great drive. We went into Glenfinnan a couple of times as well during the week we were there. Hoping to return in the next couple of years or so 😊

[@AndrewandBarbara]

Absolutely love these dashcam videos Steve. Really enjoyed this one. Hope to be doing it ourselves at some point this year. A&B.x

[@steve-marsh]

Hope you can make the drive soon, and make plenty stops along the way, so many interesting places on this route. Thanks so much for the comment :)

[@YmrMom42]

Just lovely. Relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Diane!

[@paulcharlesworth9114]

What a stunning morning and a very relaxing video. Thanks for the bonus content. (Good to see the callout to Local Hero.)

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Paul! I believe it's a private home now

[@paulgraham4567]

It's a great drive, my grandpa was part of the crew that worked on the original road to Mallaig after he came home from the war.

[@JettaJack]

The driver of the yellow and red semi sure knew his route! Kept out ahead for most of the trip. Can you imagine that drive as a regular trip!

[@steve-marsh]

What a workplace eh? :)

[@bjoeljones]

Braw video, Steve. It was good to see Fort William to Mallaig again, ...I was almost expecting you to cross over to Skye when you were in Mallaig. Ach, to be back in Scotland. Slàinte Mhath🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Chipounettef]

Love, love, love! We were there two years ago, on a rainy day, thanks for sharing this drive with a beautiful sky. I want to do it again...

[@steve-marsh]

So glad to bring back memories of a familiar route :)

[@dianal4209]

Amazing !! Thank you so much !! Heading this way in December this year 2023

[@PegGill]

Beautiful drive and perfection of the video and wonderful choice of music

[@steve-marsh]

Hey thanks so much!!!

[@michaelarcher6278]

A great video. I am doing exactly the same journey in June when I am in Scotland. Already booked the ferry 😁 I love the Fort William area, especially Glen Nevis. Walked up the Ben on 1st September 2011, never been the same since 🤣 Thank you for posting this and Eigg videos.

[@steve-marsh]

You did better than me on the Ben mate! Have a fantastic trip in June!

[@carolynstewart9103]

Just love your videos Steve.so relaxing.👍

[@jackkuppens8582]

watched this video already 3 times gets better and better if I didn't live in New Zealand I would certainly live in Scotland amazing beauty

[@380Scania]

Stunning as always. Thanks Steve 😊

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much! :)

[@willp2406]

THANKS Steve, i do this drive 2 or 3 times everytime im up there , last visited in september 2021 .. superb drive , i got the ferry over to Skye then drove to the Skye bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh had fish an chips there then on the A87 to Invergarry then back to Fort William.. fantastic drive, fantastic scenery .. EXCELLENT

[@steve-marsh]

A perfect trip mate! So glad you've experienced it (and a lot more than me!)

[@jbfbracken5810]

More of these please, loved this one.❤️❤️

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for the positive feedback, I'll get planning on some other routes :)

[@robbiephillipstravelsofple4790]

Lovely video Steve really enjoyed watching and seeing the fantastic views

[@susanward398]

Another beauty. Thank you, Steve!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Susan!

[@barbaratomlinson6776]

Thank you, Steve! I really enjoyed this relaxing drive.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Barbara!

[@annemaloney8273]

Thank you Steve. What a lovely trip!

[@steve-marsh]

Glad you enjoyed it Anne!

[@kevjaffray]

Perfect start to my day, thanks Steve. I think I parked in that exact space at Mallaig, in 1993. Went for a walk around the hills and lochans behind Mallaig and got back to a flat tyre 🤦‍♂️

[@steve-marsh]

Oh noooo! Always an adventure :)

[@YmrMom42]

We loved this video ! So relaxing…❤

[@myrabenson1603]

What a fabulous video gorgeous scenery 😍

[@Pan1man4]

Thanks for that Steve, I was here last June after a 24 year absence, did a grand tour all around stayed at the Clan MacDuff hotel as last visit and ended our 5 day trip with a night in Inverness then over to Burghead where I did my Outward Bound course at the Moray Sea School in August of 71, long since gone.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for the comment - my dad always talks about his OB days! He did it in '58!

[@mikeswift6713]

Wonderful memories and I agree Scothish roads are great and safe, I love driving them. I got my first car in 1969, a pal just down from training at Edinburgh Botanical Gardens suggested he took me driving around Scotland, I ended up doing 2,000 miles and a couple of months later passed first time. I didn’t visit Scotland again until we discovered Shearing’s midweek self-drive breaks apart from a couple of days in Edinburgh in the early 2,000s. In early November 2012 we stayed at the Caledonian Hotel in Fort William and drove the very same route of your video, we enquired about a ferry to Skye but it had stopped for the winter so the next day drove there over the bridge. It was autumn and the bronze and green landscape was stunning, over the next 8 years we returned 10 times, we were due to visit Portpatrick for a second time on March 30th 2020, we all know how that went. When Scotland removes all Covid restrictions we will return.

[@steve-marsh]

You'll totally embrace it when the time comes to visit again :) Great stories there, thanks Mike!

[@kevinbullas2328]

Steve simply beautiful…thanks for sharing…👍🏻

[@peterdnreynolds777]

another great vlog Steve!! Beautiful and simply stunning scenery

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Peter! It really is a wonderful corner of Scotland :)

[@peterdnreynolds777]

@@steve-marsh same with when I visit my parents in Ireland, stunning scenery on the drive from Rosslare to Lismore

[@t-dawg5813]

We made that drive in October from Glenfinnan for lunch in Mallaig. Great memories and was fun to revisit the scenery in your fantastic video!

[@steve-marsh]

Nice! Sounds like a perfect day to me :)

[@LynneFarr]

Lovely video! Local Hero is one of my all time favorite movies.

[@arfabarmcake2776]

Brilliant vid, enjoyed being a passenger, amazing scenery 👍👍👍

[@r.khannaberry246]

I loved this video! The scenery was amazing!

[@garethgibafricatwin6663]

Really enjoyed that thanks, I miss being there and riding through that beautiful, calming scenery. Hope to be back soon 🤞🏼

[@steve-marsh]

Haste ye back soon Gareth! Cheers!

[@simonwhitlock9189]

Hi Steve, I am not a religious man but that truly was a trip through gods own country, absolutely breathtaking, and the music to accompany is so calming, if that was to be the last drive I ever did I would die a very happy man, thank you so much and stay safe, cheers.

[@steve-marsh]

So true Simon - and the destination is even more spectacular with some special coastline and islands up there :)

[@DrBrazell]

What a lovely drive Steve!!!!

[@djmark143]

Absolutely stunning drive, gotta do this one day ... Was just in Scotland last June but Scotland has so many beautiful areas, never been in this particular area but it looks amazing.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

The Highlands are so beautiful. You Scots are a brave lot, though driving straight into fog on the wrong side of the road!

[@bripeck]

Loved it! I almost took this road once (going the other way), but the Ferry from Skye was full so I had to take the long way around. Now I know I need to go back!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers! It really is a stunning drive and of course so much better in real life!

[@keredeven8865]

Absolutely wonderful 📸👍

[@stephenblackburn8006]

Great piece of music to go along with a great video

[@knitrundig4663]

Thank you for making my lunchtime beautiful. A wonderful bonus.

[@steve-marsh]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@patriciagale955]

A beautiful video,brings back memories and the music was amazing.l have to say love all your videos

[@steve-marsh]

Thank you SO much Patricia! And thanks for coming along :)

[@flyingchilders]

Been up that road a few times, we have had a couple of holidays on Eriskay and got the ferry from Mallaig. Love the skies in your video what I call Simpson skies 😀

[@tomcarslaw2117]

Wonderful, you have just made me even more homesick, but thanks for a great trip!

[@steve-marsh]

Haha happy to pull on the heart strings :)

[@PegGill]

Priceless views Magical

[@doriskovalcik442]

Hills and mountains with the mist, just like here in the Tennessee Valley. Thanks for the drive.

[@steve-marsh]

Oh I'd love a wee drive over there Doris!

[@kielin1282]

One of the most beautiful roads I've ever driven, but now I'll never drive it again (I had a stroke and the DVLA took my licence away). Maybe I'll persuade someone to drive me along it. I miss it in winter/spring the most. Thank you for the sweet reminises.

[@StripeyNick]

Superb video Steve. Lovely to relax and take in the scenery. I have to say that the quality of the camera is absolutely superb. So sharp. I would love to see more driving films like this. Can't remember whether it's called the old Army road or the snow road but the route up near Tomintoul would amazing to see.

[@jeanward7640]

I enjoyed my car ride with you today Steve. Thanks. Still hoping to get back from Vancouver to see my brother who lives on the Isle of Skye. Try to go every year now that we are getting on in years , missed going because of Covid. Still doesn’t sound too good in Scotland though . Rules are tougher there

[@roddyk05]

Love how you go over bridges and there is a pavement on them but no adjoining pavement for miles in either direction. I suppose if I did indeed find myself walking there I would be glad of it though.