Kyle of Lochalsh

infobox UK place
official_name = Kyle of Lochalsh
country = Scotland
map_type = Scotland
population = 739 [cite web|url=http://www.highland.gov.uk/plintra/iandr/cen/pop_towns.htm|title=Census 2001|work=Population figures|accessdate=August 17|accessyear=2005]
os_grid_reference = NG765275
latitude = 57.28
longitude = -5.72
language= English
language1= Scottish Gaelic
post_town = KYLE OF LOCHALSH
postcode_area = IV
postcode_district = IV40
dial_code = 01599
gaelic_name = Caol Loch Aillse
constituency_westminster = Ross, Skye and Lochaber
constituency_scottish_parliament = Ross, Skye and Inverness West
unitary_scotland = Highland
lieutenancy_scotland = Ross and Cromarty
website = http://www.visitkyle.co.uk

Kyle of Lochalsh (from the Scottish Gaelic "Caol Loch Aillse", "strait of the foaming lake") is a village on the northwest coast of Scotland, 63 miles (100 km) west of Inverness. It is located at the entrance to Loch Alsh, opposite the village of Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye. A ferry which used to connect the two villages was replaced by the Skye Bridge, about a mile (2 km) to the west, in 1995.

The village is the transport and shopping centre for the area as well as having a harbour, marina with pontoons for maritime visitors. The surrounding scenery and wildlife are regarded as attractions of the village, as is the slow pace of life. Crofting as well as more recent crofting pursuits like salmon farming are some of the activities taking place in Kyle of Lochalsh.

Kyle of Lochalsh railway station is connected to Inverness by the Kyle of Lochalsh railway line, built in 1897 to improve public transport to the north-west of Scotland. The line ends on the water's edge, near where the ferry connection used to run.

In popular culture

* In 1980, the BBC did a series of documentaries, entitled "Great Railway Journeys Of The World". The Kyle of Lochalsh appeared in an episode entitled "Confessions of a Trainspotter", presented by Michael Palin. In the segment, Palin traveled by various trains from London to the Kyle of Lochalsh. His humour was evident throughout the documentary. Upon reaching the Kyle of Lochalsh, he purchased a large piece of railway memorabilia—the Kyle of Lochalsh railway platform sign. The ending credits showed Palin taking the oversized sign with him back to London, which he then hung on his garden wall at home.
* Along with nearby town Plockton, the town became the backdrop to the BBC drama series "Hamish MacBeth".
* Kyle of Lochalsh was visited by the characters in Mark Chadbourn's trilogy, Age of Misrule

References