This amazing road trip will transport you to the Misty Isle for just a few quid
Scots can travel over 500 miles for just £4 on popular bus service.(Image: Getty Images)
Scotland is such a vast and beautiful country to explore. From rolling hills, historic castles, colourful coastal fronts and cobbled city streets, each day travelling across Scotland is bound to bring a new adventure.
One of the most beautiful sights in Scotland in the Inner Hebrides. Comprising 35 inhabited islands that boast striking views of sky, land and sea, one of the most popular is the Isle of Skye, also known as the “Island of Mist”.
While many people, Scots and tourists, would love to explore the western coast of Scotland, this can quickly become pricey when you take into consideration travel costs. And with the cost of living leaving people counting their pennies, making a trip to this beautiful part of the country can be out of reach for many.
However, this may be a worry of the past as transport operator Scottish City link has shared that Scots can “travel in style” from Glasgow to the Isle of Skye for just a £4 single ticket. This would mean a return ticket for the cross country route would only cost passengers £8 altogether.
This is a result of the Scottish Government £2 Bus Fare Cap to make travel more affordable and “improve access to employment, education and leisure in Scotland”. This cap is currently rolled out in the Highland and Islands and Strathclyde, with more areas to be included in the future.
Due to the regions included in the route from Glasgow to Isle of Skye being fare cap areas, Scots will only need to pay £4 to travel 500miles from the central city to the northernmost island of the Inner Hebrides.
The journey lasts six hours and 25 minutes for the fastest journey, with up to three services departing daily during the winter timetable.
Urging travellers to visit the largest island, Scottish Citylink says: “If there is one Scottish destination that should be on your bucket list, it’s the Isle of Skye. It is known for being one of the most beautiful places in the world – with its breathtaking views and impressive landscape.
“There is something truly magical about the Isle of Skye, from the picturesque Fairy Pools to the enchanting Old Man of Storr – it is home to some of Scotland’s most iconic attractions.”
The first bus from Glasgow to Skye’s capital Portee departs Buchanan Bus Station at 6:40am, with passengers arriving at 1:05pm. Travellers can also travel a further 30 minutes to Uig, which provides ferry links to the Uist and Harris.
The last service from Glasgow to Portee is 1:50pm, while the final departure from Portee is 3:15pm. As a result of the long transfer times, it is likely that customers will need to book overnight accommodation to truly explore the majestic island and the wonders that it has to offer.
Tickets for the route can be pre-booked on the Scottish Citylink website or app, through a travel centre or bought from the driver. However, in-person tickets are subject to availability as a result of pre-booked tickets. NEC and Young Scot cards are also valid on this journey.
Bus cap rules explained
The £2 Bus Fare Cap is broken down by area, which means you cannot travel the length of Scotland for only £2. For example, if your journey starts and ends within the fare cape area, you pay no more than £2 for a single journey.
However, if only part of the journey is within the fare cap area, travellers can pay £2 for the eligible section and the normal fare for the remainder.
Alternatively, if your journey crosses both fare cap areas – currently Strathclyde and the Highlands and Islands – and doesn’t enter another Regional Transport Partnership area, you will pay £2 for each area – equalling a £4 single trip.
However, it should be noted that if you have to change buses, a separate fare is required each time, even if the services are operated by the same company.
Areas included in £2 Bus Fare Cap
Highlands and Islands
- Highland
- Moray
- Orkney
- Shetland
- Western Isles (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar)
- Argyll and Bute (excluding Helensburgh and Lomond)
Strathclyde
- Argyll and Bute (Helensburgh and Lomond)
- East Ayrshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Glasgow City
- Inverclyde
- North Ayrshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Renfrewshire
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- West Dunbartonshire
