Bit of advice, please. What's the best way of getting from Penrith to Sheil Bridge? I have looked at various combinations of train and bus, but can't work out if it'll be better to hop a bus at Glasgow or Fort Bill. Also, since we will be starting at Glenelg, but have booked at Ratagan hostel, does anyone think they'd like to share a taxi from the hostel or nearby, on the Friday morning to hop over the pass?

Not sure if it is the BEST way, but I am doing Megabus Manchester to Glasgow and then Scottish City link bus to Shiel Bridge (which goes via Ft William).Think Megabus pick up in Lancaster.... Used this last year and although a long journey it was comfortable and cheap.

NB if you are a SYHA member I think you can still get discount with Scottish City link, but you need to check that one)

Hi Merrylegs,

Started at Glenelg last year. Had a brilliant crossing, (apart from Stormy Sunday, but got off lightly). Took the Citylink bus to Shiel Bridge from Glasgow. Was going to walk to Glenelg from there but the cook from The Glenelg Inn gave me a lift.

Timetable and prices at the moment are:

Buchanan Bus Station leave 07.00hrs arrive 11.43 £5, £6, £34.90.
leave 10.00 arrive 15.43 £5, £6, £34.90.
leave 15.00 arrive 20.08 £5, £6, £34.90.

Hope this is of some help.

If you haven't booked the hostel, have you considered the B&B at the sign out point in Glenelg? Very nice lady.

All the best.

Its quite a pleasant walk from Shiel Bridge to Glenelg - but you have to fight off all the people who want to give you a lift. I did accept tea and cake from some peeps in a camper van, though...
Glasgow or Inverness bus to Uig does the job. Very scenic but not good for those of us cursed by travel sickness!

Thanks for all your ideas. I have now booked the 07.35 train from Penrith to Glasgow - gets in at 09.15, so should have 45 mins to leg it to bus station for the 10am bus, or taxi if late, then Citilink bus all the way to Shiel Bridge, where that nice Mrs Davidson from Glenelg says she will pick us up and give us a lift over the pass (we booked a room with her, so now I've got to cancel the YHA beds at Ratagan.). Anyway, might hike over if it's fine. Hope that bus has a toilet - yikes! What if it hasn't - better get dehydrated, or find my Shewee thingy, wot I ain't never tried....

I can't remember if that bus has a toilet but, last year, it did stop in Fort William long enough for a trip to Morrisons to top up on nibbles and use the facilities.

The bus normaly does have a toilet and it stops at Tyndrum and Fort William so no need to pre-dehydrate.

Ian C.