The A851 road is a principal arterial route on the Isle of Skye, part of the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of mainland Scotland. It serves as the main connection between the ferry terminal at Arm Dàl (Arm darle) on the southern tip of the island and the A87 trunk road, which provides access to Portree, the island’s capital, and onward to the Scottish mainland.
Route description
- Northern terminus: Junction with the A87 near the settlement of Scullamus.
- Southern terminus: Arm Dàl ferry port, where services link to Mallaig on the mainland.
- Length: Just under 15 miles (approximately 22 kilometres).
- Geography: The road traverses the Sleat (pronounced “Slate”) Peninsula, following a generally north‑south alignment along the island’s eastern coastline.
Settlements and features along the route (from north to south)
- Duisdale
- More Isleornsay
- Knock
- Teangue
- Saasaig
- Ferrindonald (Arm Dàl)
- Kilmore
- Kilbeg
- Ardvasar
Classification and infrastructure
The A851 is classified within the United Kingdom’s “A‑road” network and falls in Zone 8 of the Great Britain road‑numbering scheme. It is primarily a single‑carriageway route, with standard two‑lane traffic flow and local access points to the villages it serves. Recent upgrades have improved sections of the road to meet contemporary safety and surface standards.
Significance
As the primary southern artery of Skye, the A851 facilitates tourism, local commerce, and transport of goods between the island’s ferry terminal and the broader Scottish road network. Its role is especially important for communities on the Sleat Peninsula, providing essential connectivity to health, education, and commercial services located elsewhere on the island or on the mainland.
References
- Ordnance Survey mapping series (Sheets 34 and 25).
- “A851 road” entry, Wikipedia, retrieved 2024.