Mallaig

Mallaig is the end of the road, where the Road to the Isles (the A830) hits the sea. A Ferry continues across the sea to the Isle of Skye, but the onward road, the A851, is not Primary. Other ferries also serve the Small Isles and Knoydart, and the Ferry service to South Uist has recently been reinstated. The town itself was 'founded' at the beginning of the 20th Century when the North British Railway Company extended their West Highland Line from Fort William. At the same time, the Fisheries Board promoted the development of the town and contributed to the construction of the harbour. Even today, Mallaig is still an important fishing port, although it has declined steadily in the last 30 years.

The A830, then is the main road into the town, and the Western end was greatly improved from the mid 1990s onwards. This saw a new road built on the shore side of the railway line into the town, involving some pseudo-causeway sections along the coast where large boulders provide the foundations of the new road. This then terminates at a roundabout to the west of the town centre, from where the B8008 doubles back in to town. The A830 itself seems to continue ahead to the ferry terminal and queuing area. The only other classified road nearby is the B8008, which follows the old route of the A830 out through the town, and then south through Morar and along the shore to Arisaig. Whilst this road can be tortuous and slow, it is a stunning drive past some fine white beaches with the Small Isles sitting out to the west as a magnificent backdrop, especially with a setting sun behind them. Further south, the A861 turns off at Lochailort to serve the remote Ardnamuchan Peninsula.

Route	To	Notes
A830	Fort William
B8008	Morar, Arisaig	The former line of the A830
Ferry	Lochboisdale on South Uist and the A865
Ferry	Isle of Skye and A851
Ferry	The Small Isles, including the Isle of Eigg and the Isle of Rum	permit required for vehicles
Ferry	Knoydart	Primarily a passenger service