We have created a map showing the location of dropped kerbs, bench seating, and rubbish bins in the centre of Kyle of Lochalsh village. This has been undertaken as part of Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisation‘s Active Journeys Skye and Lochalsh Project. This is a great project for the area with funding from Paths For All and Think Health Think Nature. We aim to promote the health benefits of walking for daily journeys and highlight the accessibility of the village.
The map can be downloaded and printed from a pdf here. Sarah has also written a description of how she travels around Kyle of Lochalsh using her rollator which highlights where the dropped kerbs are in order to access various premises.
When it opened on the 16th October 1995 the Skye Bridge linked Kyle of Lochalsh to Eilean Bàn and then further to Skye. Initially a Toll Bridge, after much protesting the tolls were finally lifted in 2004. Leaving a bridge that is free for all to use and offering great access to and from Skye and a fantastic spot for a walk with a view. The main bridge is just short of 0.4 miles or 0.6km and looks down upon Eilean Bàn which is home to The Brightwater Centre. The complete span over Loch Alsh is 1.5miles or 2.4km and includes the much more level Carrich Viaduct.
Kyle Car Park behind Station Road Accessibility – RADAR operated disabled toilets which is fully equipped. Level entry from the pavement. Low level hand dryer, soap and toilet roll dispenser as well as all the usual hand rails etc. Also available here are showers and laundry facilities.
Strom (Gifts and Homewares)
Strom
Just off Station Road next to the Public Toilets. Accessibility – low threshold door so just a small bump to go over from the pavement. Quite spacious for a small shop. Low level counter for payment at the till.
J J’s Hardware Store
J J’s Hardware
Just off Station Road next to Strom. Accessibility – level entry from the pavement. Access is through a standard size door but there is also a smaller side partition that may provide wider entry. As with all Hardware stores it is packed to the rafters but the staff are very friendly and helpful. The pavement outside is very wide and there is a raised flower bed that you could perch on if you needed a short rest.
Right Medicine Pharmacy
Right Medicine Pharmacy
On the corner of Station Road with two entrances. Accessibility – both doors are level entry from the pavement. Both doors have a push button for wheelchair entry. However, one button (opposite the Hardware Store) is broken so an additional bell to ring for assistance has been fitted. Both the pharmacy and giftware end of the shop is spacious and has room to move about. Very helpful staff, so ask for any extra assistance you may need.
Lochalsh Butchers
Lochalsh Butchers
Station Road Accessibility – no step at the door. A small concrete ramp is in place to make up the difference in height between the butchers and the pavement. Double door entry at the front which are both usually open. Very spacious inside.
Kyle Taxi Company & Skye Car Hire
Kyle Taxi Company
Station Road Accessibility – up a set of steps for the pavement but there are two handrails. Not often you actually go into a taxi office but rather call them from home or from where you are to get home. Their number is 01599 534323.
Mace Convenience Store & Post Office
Mace Store & Post Office
Station Road Accessibility – ramp from the pavement. Handrail alongside ramp. Level entry door threshold from the ramp into the shop. Low counters and cash machine inside
End of the Line
End of the Line Kyle
Station Road – next to Gulf Filling Station. Accessibility – two small steps at the front of the shop. Lots of outdoor seating on a gravelled area to the side of the shop.
Caol Cafe and Caol Restaurant
Caol Cafe and Caol Restaurant
Station Road Accessibility – both were closed for the season but looking through the windows we noted the following. Caol Cafe is downstairs with a small ramp up from the pavement. The furniture is free-standing so can be moved around to accommodate a wheelchair. Caol Restaurant is upstairs so unless you can manage the stairs this will be a barrier.
Hector’s 2 Take Away
Hector’s 2 Take Away
Main Street Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – the Take Away is accessed by a flight of steps at either end of a raised walkway. Handrails at both ends but only accessible if you can manage steps.
Skye Beauty
Skye Beauty
Main Street Accessibility – single width door entry which appears to be level with the pavement. No further information at present as the premises are operating under strict Covid-19 regulations.
Kyle Hotel and Nor-West Bar
Kyle Hotel
Main Street Accessibility – both entrances on Main Street have steps to the doorways. However if you go through the car park to the rear of the hotel there is a wheelchair friendly entrance here. The car park entrance is situated to the left of the hotel as you look at it from Main Street. They also allow Guide and Assistance Dogs into the premises.
D’mands
D’mands salon
Main Street Accessibility – 2/3 steps up to the entrance from street level. No further information at present as it is entry by appointment only due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Kyle Carpets
Kyle Carpets
Main Street Accessibility – level entry over a very small door threshold from the street. However as you cross the threshold there is a step down. There are warning signs in the doorway to “Please mind the step”.
Co-op Supermarket
Kyle Co-op
1 Bridge Street, Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – level access footpath with appropriate dropped kerbs all the way from Station Road and Main Street for pedestrians. Two disabled parking spaces by the front door for drivers. One disabled toilet at the rear of the store. Level access into the store via automatic sliding doors. Low level cash machine in the front porch – available 24 hours a day.
Kyle Chinese Takeaway
Kyle Chinese Takeaway
Main Street Accessibility – small ramp over the threshold but otherwise level access from the street.
Kyle RNLI Gift Shop
Kyle RNLI Gift Shop
On the waterfront behind the central village car park. Accessibility – a ramp at the far end of the building leading down to the front door. Low level threshold into the gift shop. Also the same ramp is used for wheelchair access to the Harbour Masters office next door.
Pizza Mia Takeaway
Pizza Mia Takeaway
Ferry Road, Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – two small steps at the front of the building.
Buth Bheag – Fisherman’s Kitchen
Buth Bheag – Fisherman’s Kitchen
Ferry Road, Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – currently trading under strict Covid-19 guidelines. There is a ramp to the right hand side of the building but this leads to a large uPVC threshold to get over. No problem if you are fairly ambulant but no good for anyone in a wheelchair. When the front reopens there is one step up to the front doors. Picnic benches outside under small gazebos for eating your takeaway.
Create
Create
Station Road – Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – there is some limited parking at Create. However entry is via three steep steps with no handrail.
Royal Mail Delivery Office
Royal Mail Delivery Office
Stoney Road – Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – level entry pedestrian entry form Stoney Road into the car park. Pedestrian zone marked in the car park to keep you safe. Level entry through the threshold free doorway. One disabled parking bay in the car park for public use.
Main Street Accessibility – level entry from the pavement up a gentle slope. Push button automatic doors for easy access for wheelchairs. Gentle ramp up to the library area on your right. One disabled parking space outside the building, although the paint is very faded and hard to see. Another disabled parking space is 20 metres further down Main Street, this also has very faded paint. No further details as it was closed on this visit.
Kyle of Lochalsh Railway Station
Kyle of Lochalsh Railway Station
Station Road Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – no designated disabled parking spaces at the Railway Station. 4 spaces for the general public to use on a first come first served basis along the wall side of the road down to the platform. No footpath down to the station, walk carefully along the wall side and beware of any traffic coming up or down the road. Disabled toilets and accessible waiting room on Platform 2 – currently closed due to Covid-19. Portable Defibrillator located on Platform 2. In normal circumstances there is a manned ticket office to help with any enquires and accessibility. Plenty of benches on both Platform 1 and 2. To book assistance for a rail journey you need to get in touch with ScotRail.
Lochalsh Leisure Centre
Kyle Leisure Centre
Douglas Row, Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – sloping paved footpath to the right of the building leading to the front door. Parking available in the car park opposite but no designated disabled parking spaces. For patrons of the Leisure Centre there is a disabled toilet in reception area. There is also a wheelchair accessible toilet and changing room within the unisex changing rooms.
Situated on the A87 just 9 miles from Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge, Eilean Donan Castle is a Scottish icon. The castle itself is not accessible for wheelchair users but if you can manage stairs it is definitely worth a try.
Station Road – Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – one disabled parking space under the medical practice accessed from the road past the RNLI station. The ground floor and first floor doors are level to the pavement and automatic entry. Located to the left of the 1st floor front door is a portable defibrillator. On the lower floor is a disabled toilet, GP practice, physio and podiatrist. All doors are wide enough for wheelchair access. On the first floor is the dental suite which also has a disabled toilet and again the doors are wide enough for wheelchair access. Internally there is a lift large enough for a wheelchair to move between the two floors.
Skye and Lochalsh Dental Practice
Skye & Lochalsh Dental Practice
Station Road – Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – a small step up from the pavement to the door. The practice is located on the first floor but there is a motorised chair lift up the stairs. Due to it’s location the practice is unable to accommodate larger and motorised wheelchairs.
Right Medicine Pharmacy
Right Medicine Pharmacy
Station Road – Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – the pharmacy has two entrances, one on Station Road and one around the corner opposite the Hardware Store. Both have level thresholds and push button entry for the automatic door. There is also a bell next to both doors you can ring if you need more assistance from the door. The Pharmacy is also a gift/card shop and relatively spacious considering how many different things you can buy in there.
Old Sick Bay Dental Practice
Old Sick Bay Dental Practice
Balmacara Road – Kyle of Lochalsh Accessibility – small gravel car park to the side of the practice. Wheelchair ramp to the rear of the main entrance leading to front door.
Craig R Campbell Opticians
Craig R Campbell Opticians
Main Street Accessibility – small ramp at the front door to allow access over the threshold. No more details as it was closed on this visit.
Hector’s Bothy and Hector’s 2 Go are a crucial part of the cafe scene in Kyle of Lochalsh. When most other food businesses are seasonal Hector’s is open all year round. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the food is freshly prepared and plentiful.
