Many Isle of Skye walking holidays focus on the wonderful Black Cuillin, the most challenging mountain range on the UK and home to no less than 11 Munros.
However, this is anything but the limit of the island’s walking wonders. It’s not just that there is another Munro in the shape of Bla Bheinn, or the incredibly steep lumps of the Red Cuillinn; there is also the wonderful scenery of the Trotternish Ridge.
This ridge, marked on its east side by a rugged cliff face, stretches like some jagged backbone right up the northern part of the island.
A stunning array of walking wonders is presented by the ridge. One option is a lengthy 20-mile traverse, with diversions to neighbouring villages such as Staffin, famous for its dinosaur footprints. There is also the magnificent rugged scenery of the Quiraing.
However, the number one must-see is the Old Man of Storr, a famous volcanic rock pinnacle standing by the jagged cliffs of the Storr itself.
The view from just to the north, taking in the pinnacle, the waters of Loch Leathan, the straits separating Skye from the neighbouring island of Raasay and the distant Torridon peaks, is one of the most photographed in Scotland, a sight of otherworldly beauty that appears on every postcard rack and as featured regularly in popular culture.
Contrary to the film Prometheus, however, there is definitely no cave in the vicinity, with or without alien graffiti. This is a landscape of hard volcanic rock, not porous limestone.
Those working their way through the Grahams will note that The Storr itself is on the tick list, as is the adjacent Hartaval, and the two can be climbed together easily, providing coastal views across both sides of the island. The east face of Hartaval has particularly stunning cliffs, some of the best on the whole ridge.
Nobody doubts the photogenic nature of this part of Skye, but it also makes a wonderful place to walk, without the extreme challenges of the Inaccessible Pinnacle or Sgurr nan Gillean, but still offering a wonderful experience of Scotland at its best.
trotternish (walkscotland.com)
old man of storr – Bing images
Hartaval – Graham (Walkhighlands)
The Storr – ascent (Walkhighlands)
Been there, climbed them, didn’t see a cave full of alien graffiti and it’s a dire film anyway
OS Map 48 I have right here