C1239 (Highland)
C1239 | ||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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From: | Breakish (NG696243) | |||
To: | Kylerhea (NG788211) | |||
Distance: | 7 miles (11.3 km) | |||
Meets: | A87, Glenelg - Kylerhea Ferry | |||
Highway Authorities | ||||
Traditional Counties | ||||
Route outline (key) | ||||
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For other roads numbered C1239, see C1239.
The C1239 crosses from the A87 at Breakish, the eastern end of Broadford to Kylerhea on the east coast of Skye. The road drops right down to the slipway, from where the Glenelg - Kylerhea Ferry crosses to Glenelg on the mainland through the summer months. The road can therefore be a busy route, with tourists choosing to use this historic ferry crossing to reach the island. In winter months, the steep climbs and open moorland make the route susceptible to snow drifts and can cause it to be shut.
The road was originally built in the early 1800s by Thomas Telford as part of his commission on Highland roads and bridges. Before that, the route had long been used by drovers, with the Kylerhea crossing being one of the shortest and easiest crossings for cattle to swim on their way to the markets in the central belt. It was only with the development of inter-island steamer services in the Victorian era that Kylerhea fell out of favour, as it was less suitable for the construction of a steamer pier, and the long distance to the other villages on Skye also hampered it.