By Martin Hind
Published: Aug 07, 2017More by Martin
By Martin Hind
Published: Aug 07, 2017More by Martin
When on Skye you must explore the dramatic landscape of the Trotternish Ridge. With stunning scenery, geology, cliffs, pinnacles and needles it feels almost otherworldly. Both the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr have provided the backdrop to major films such as King Arthur, Transformers, Stardust, Macbeth, Prometheus, and the Big Friendly Giant.
Check out our 7 Day walking adventure of the spectacular scenery which surrounds the Isle of Skye.
The Old Man of Storr | Quiraing | |||
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| Look out for | The Sanctuary, Storr Lochs | The Table, The Needle, The Prison | ||
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| Parking | Good carpark and large layby | Roadside verge | ||
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| Distance | 4.5 km | 4-7 km depending on route | ||
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| Time | 2 hrs | 3.5 hrs | ||
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| Options | Ascent of An Storr (+2-3 hrs) | Upper path (3-4 hrs) |
The Old Man of Storr is such a visible landmark when you explore north of Portree, that it begs closer inspection. Walking is the best way to get up close and personal with this monolith and the paths surrounding it reward curious walkers with many different viewpoints with the sea lochs and Cuillin Hills adding to the magical drama of this hike.
Check out this opinion piece on the Isle of Skye – Too Busy to Visit?
We present you with a couple of options to enjoy this iconic landmark on the Trotternish Ridge.
From the carpark you’ll enjoy good paths up to the edge of the Storr Woods before taking a rougher path to the final gate at the base of the famous basalt pinnacle that is the Old Man of Storr. The pinnacle dominates the landscape but there are other rock formations to explore amongst the Sanctuary just below the main cliff. Be aware of rockfall after heavy rain. The ‘Needle’ nearby has a window which is perhaps why it has another name – the Cathedral.
The round trip is about 4.5km and 288 metres of ascent and I’d recommend you allow about 2hrs to fully enjoy the landscape and views to the east of the Isles of Rona and Raasay with the Applecross peninsula behind. The tracks above the Storr woodland can become muddy and slippy during and after heavy rain so be careful when coming down and near steep drops around the pinnacles.
If you are feeling adventurous and the weather is clear then make the ascent of An Storr from the Sanctuary. It adds an extra 4km and nearly 400metres of ascent and another 2 to 3 hours but the vistas are grand.
Pause here and take in views to the Western Isles, the Cuillins and the Highland mainland. Look out for Loch Leathan and Loch Fada, known together as Storr Lochs on the other side of the road below to the east.
“Both the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr have provided the backdrop to major films such as King Arthur, Transformers, Stardust, Macbeth, Prometheus, and the Big Friendly Giant.”
The Quiraing is located another 20 minutes northwards and the most popular access point is at the summit of the Staffin to Uig road at Maoladh Mor but it can get on busy on summer days. If it is then you can also park lower down beside a graveyard and take an alternative route up to the main area, which includes the famous ‘Table’ and the ‘Needle’.
Approaching the Quiraing along its base you come to the ‘Prison’, a three-point summit of a remnant of a landslide vaguely looking like a prison. Nearby is the ‘Needle’, a narrow pointed pinnacle. The level grassy area of the ‘Table’ is reputed to have been a meeting place for the local clan and it is rumoured that shinty has been played on top. Among the rocks below there are traces of walls that would have concealed livestock from Viking raiders.
Trotternish Ridge is the result of the UK’s largest known landslide. The most obvious landslides occurred within the last 15,000 years and some movement does still occur, as the regular road repairs lower down testify.
The landslides were a result of heavier lava flows overlying weaker sedimentary rocks formed during the Jurassic period. As icefields and glaciers retreated the exposed cliffs collapsed under the weight of the dense volcanic basalt rock.
As glaciers advanced and retreated again and again, they remodelled the older landslips. The shattered rocks on the hilltops above show signs that they were exposed above the icefields.
As always when heading out into the hills, be prepared with appropriate clothing, footwear, and resources to navigate independently. Pay attention to a reliable mountain weather forecast such as those produced by the Met Office or the Mountain Weather Information Service.
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