Glenelg is a scattered and largely white-painted settlement that wraps itself around Glenelg Bay with views west across the Kyle Rhea to the mountains of eastern Skye. Glenelg had long been the main gateway to Skye until the road from Inverness reached Kyle of Lochalsh in early 1819.

Today this link is carried on through the operation of the seasonal Glenelg Ferry. This carries a few cars at a time across the narrows to Kylerhea, from where an interesting road leads to Broadford. The ferry provides one route into Glenelg. The other starts at the head of Loch Duich, at Shiel Bridge.