#Trotternish Ridge

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From an awesome morning up on the Trotternish Ridge back in October.

📸 by Nick Hanson

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The Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland

We’re at the Old Man of Storr, the giant rocky pinnacle which towers over Britain’s longest continuous area of landslides. The Trotternish Ridge stretches roughly 30 kilometres along the north of Skye, the largest island of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, and includes many weird and wonderful rock formations, courtesy of an ancient landslip.

Lava flows, glaciers and the weather all played their part in carving this fantastical landscape, often seen swirling in mist. The famous “Old Man” is found in a section known as The Sanctuary, to the right of the cliffs of The Storr, the highest point on the ridge. Towering about 50 metres from base to peak, the Old Man is joined by other large rock stacks, left behind when huge blocks of lava slipped down into weaknesses in the underlying Jurassic rocks.

You can enjoy the fantastic rocky architecture of The Storr from a distance, as it can be seen for kilometres around, but those who make the journey up there will be rewarded with far-reaching views to the islands of Raasay and Rona or to Portree and the Cuillin Hills. A memorable spot to toast Scotland’s patron saint with a dram of single malt whisky.

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Good Morning from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Cloud inversion at dawn, Trotternish Ridge.

📸nickhansonphotography/Nick Hanson on Instagram

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Trotternish Ridge in Mist, Isle of Skye, Scotland

(via Pinterest)

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 “Trotternish Ridge ”

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Charles is enjoying The Old Man of Storr on the Trotternish Ridge is probably the most famous walk, and the busiest attraction, on the Isle of Skye 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

His body transformation 🏋️ Big muscles are not necessarily better 😳

The Old Man (Bodach an Stòr in Gaelic), is a 55-metre-high pinnacle of basalt rock which is all that remains of a 2,800-million-year-old volcanic plug.

@charles_vandervaart - IGS

Posted 31st August 2024

[educationinaustralia]

Tourist Places in Scotland:

Scotland is known for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Here are some top tourist places to visit in Scotland:

Edinburgh:

Edinburgh Castle: Historic fortress overlooking the city. Royal Mile: A historic street with shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. Holyrood Palace: The Queen’s official residence in Scotland. Arthur's Seat: An extinct volcano offering panoramic views of the city. Scottish National Gallery: Houses an impressive collection of art.

Glasgow:

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: One of the most popular museums in Scotland. Glasgow Cathedral: A stunning example of Gothic architecture. The Riverside Museum: A museum of transport and travel. Glasgow Botanic Gardens: Beautiful gardens and glasshouses. The Necropolis: A Victorian cemetery with impressive monuments and views.

Highlands:

Loch Ness: Famous for the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Inverness: The capital of the Highlands, known for its historic sites and beautiful surroundings. Isle of Skye: Renowned for its rugged landscapes, picturesque villages, and medieval castles. Glencoe: A beautiful valley known for its stunning scenery and hiking trails. Ben Nevis: The highest mountain in the British Isles.

Isle of Skye:

Fairy Pools: A series of beautiful waterfalls and clear blue pools. The Quiraing: A landslip on the Trotternish Ridge with breathtaking views. Old Man of Storr: A rocky hill with iconic pinnacles. Dunvegan Castle: The oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.

Stirling:

Stirling Castle: One of Scotland’s grandest castles with a rich history. The Wallace Monument: A tower commemorating William Wallace. Bannockburn: The site of a major Scottish victory in the First War of Scottish Independence.

Aberdeen:

Aberdeen Maritime Museum: Showcases the city’s maritime history. Duthie Park: Known for its Winter Gardens and floral displays. Footdee (Fittie): A historic fishing village with quaint cottages.

Outer Hebrides:

Luskentyre Beach: One of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. Callanish Standing Stones: A prehistoric stone circle. St Kilda: A remote archipelago with stunning landscapes and rich wildlife.

Orkney Islands:

Skara Brae: A well-preserved Neolithic village. Ring of Brodgar: A large stone circle and henge. Maeshowe: A chambered cairn and passage grave.

Shetland Islands:

Jarlshof: A prehistoric and Norse settlement. Sumburgh Head: A stunning location for birdwatching and enjoying coastal views. Lerwick: The main town, known for its charming harbor and annual Up Helly Aa festival.

Other Notable Places:

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park: Offers beautiful scenery, hiking, and water activities. Cairngorms National Park: The largest national park in the UK, known for its mountains and wildlife. Melrose Abbey: A historic abbey with stunning architecture. Eilean Donan Castle: A picturesque castle situated on a small tidal island. https://www.aecglobal.com.au/ Falkirk Wheel: A unique rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. These destinations offer a diverse range of experiences, from exploring historic castles and cities to enjoying the natural beauty of Scotland's landscapes.

[bbumtravel]

The Isle of Skye: Scotland's Majestic Island

Introduction

The Isle of Skye, located off the northwest coast of Scotland, is renowned for its rugged landscapes, ancient castles, and rich Gaelic heritage. As the largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, Skye attracts travelers with its dramatic scenery, diverse wildlife, and mystical atmosphere.

Geography and Climate

Skye covers an area of approximately 1,656 square kilometers (639 square miles) and is characterized by its mountainous terrain, sea cliffs, and picturesque lochs. The island's climate is mild but unpredictable, with frequent changes in weather patterns that contribute to its atmospheric beauty.

History and Culture

Skye boasts a rich history dating back thousands of years, influenced by Celtic, Norse, and Scottish cultures. Key historical and cultural landmarks include:

Dunvegan Castle: The oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, home to the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years.

Old Man of Storr: A distinctive rock formation and popular hiking destination offering panoramic views of the Trotternish Ridge and the Sound of Raasay.

Fairy Pools: Crystal-clear pools and waterfalls located at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains, surrounded by enchanting scenery.

Natural Beauty

Skye is celebrated for its stunning natural landscapes and diverse ecosystems:

Cuillin Mountains: A rugged mountain range that dominates the southern part of the island, offering challenging hikes and climbs for outdoor enthusiasts.

Quiraing: A unique landslip formation in the Trotternish Peninsula, renowned for its dramatic cliffs, pinnacles, and breathtaking views.

Neist Point: A scenic headland with a lighthouse and sea cliffs, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and occasional sightings of whales and dolphins.

Wildlife and Outdoor Activities

Skye is home to a variety of wildlife, including red deer, otters, seals, and numerous bird species. Outdoor activities on the island include:

Hiking: Skye offers a network of hiking trails suitable for all levels, from gentle coastal walks to challenging mountain climbs.

Wildlife Watching: Take guided tours or explore on your own to spot wildlife in their natural habitats, particularly around the coastline and lochs.

Boat Trips: Explore the surrounding waters to visit nearby islands, sea caves, and sea stacks, while enjoying opportunities for birdwatching and marine life sightings.

Culinary Delights

Skye's culinary scene highlights locally sourced ingredients and traditional Scottish dishes, such as seafood, venison, and whisky. Visitors can enjoy dining at local restaurants, cafes, and pubs that showcase the island's flavors and hospitality.

Conclusion

The Isle of Skye captivates visitors with its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and warm Gaelic culture. Whether exploring ancient castles, hiking through rugged mountains, or simply soaking in the island's natural beauty, Skye offers a unique and unforgettable experience that reveals the essence of Scotland's wilderness and charm.

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 “Trotternish Ridge ”

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 Trotternish Ridge ”

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From a rather nice sunrise up on the Trotternish Ridge, just as the sun popped over the horizon.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

📸 by @nickhansonphotography

[bike42]

Wednesday September 20, 2023

Early start to the day - breakfast at 7, in the vans by 8am. We took too vans and a taxi for the twenty minute ride. Since I’m the one that usually manages logistics, my brain can’t help but want to know how Jules gets the vans to our pick up point - I figure the taxi driver must shuttle him back for the second load.

It was a beautiful drive up a hairpin turn road. Lots of sheep grazing and some cattle, and we saw the peat fields that Skye is famous for. “The Quiraing” is a popular hike on Skye, so we got an early start as they say the car park will fill up. It’s on the tip of the island in an area known as “Trotternish.” The ridge was formed by a massive landslide, which created high cliffs, hidden plateaus and pinnacles of rock.

It was breezy, and the clouds moved around - revealing glimpses of blue sky and rays of sun that would highlight the spectacular landscape. I hiked the first part towards the back of the pack as I was so busy snapping photos. We got to a waterfall/stream crossing that even had our guides a little anxious I could tell. The water was really raging, and you had to step into the waterfall to get the best footing - wet feet happened earlier today!

Keith stopped periodically to tell us about how earlier settlers lived on the mountains in the summer, with the women making cheese and butter from sheep’s milk and burying it in the bogs to preserve it (bog butter apparently is still a thing). He said they had no musical instruments but they were known for making musical tones with their mouths and creating tunes that way, but he declined to give us an example.

We had an early whisky break, and watched a photographer and a guy in a sheep costume but couldn’t quite figure out what that was about! Keith said this area is frequently used in adverts in Scotland. He’s known car companies to helicopter a car up here for a photo shoot!

We came to a point where we could head down, or do an out and back to the top. Nearly all of us went to the top. It was muddy - probably more so because it’s so much more heavily traveled than the other trails we’ve been on. There was also some technical scramble towards the top - nothing we haven’t done before, but the mud made it slippery and yucky. Very good hand washing will be necessary before eating anything!

From the top, we looked down on the village of Staffin, all neat looking small white houses with neat yards. Across the water, we could see the hills of Torridon where we’d been yesterday!

Normally, it’s an out and back trail, but we connected to the Loch Langaig trail which brought us down to the Atlantic coast. They’d made arrangements for us to have lunch at Flodgarry, Hotel in the Skye - a wonderfully comfortable place to get out of the weather, enjoy a Belhaven stout beer (not quite as yummy as Guinness) and have salad, soup and a brownie with ice cream for lunch.

We had a quiet van ride back, most napped but I enjoyed the scenery. Lots of tourists out driving the island and stopping at view points. Most view points had a coffee truck or shack, and others had crafts like knit goods and pottery for sale - my kind of stop, but we cruised on by.

We arrived back at the hotel at 2 pm. We were scheduled to do a boat ride, followed by walk with local tour guide Sarah. But remnants of a hurricane are about to hit western Scotland, and the boat ride was cancelled due to expected high winds. We lounged in our room, then went out to meet Sarah at 4pm - very small group: Helen, Kelli & Nelson and us.

Sarah was very interesting! We could have talked with her all night. She came to Skye 17 years ago as a Conservation Ranger - working with birds, especially reestablishing Sea Eagles. Over the years she married, had kids and now does a variety of things, including ��crofting.” She was also an amazing historian and seemed to be able to recall all dates, and names of all things in Scottish history since the beginning of time!

We walked down to the harbor, where of course, it started to rain again. Sarah told us the orange boats we see moored are “life boats,” which I think are similar to our “Coast Guard.” They mostly do runs out to neighboring islands to transport people needing medical care to Skye where there is a small hospital. We asked about fishing, and learned that there is some mussel and prawn fishing, but what is caught is transported to the eastern side of Scotland. Historically industries included kelp farming and herring, but those were “boom and bust.”

Sarah and her family are now “crofters” - small scale tenant farming, some crops for their own consumption and sheep and cows. During the Clearance, landlords forcibly evicted many on the tenants to create larger estates. Improvements came after the Small Landowners Acts (1886-1911). In the area, the Crofts were primarily re-established after WWI, with the government owning the land and leasing it to crofters. Typically, it’s a small strip of land, with a gathering of houses called a township and a larger common grazing area. Sarah told us they pay the government about £250 per year, and do many other jobs to supplement their income. The system works because industry and tourism need workers, and it forces “farmers” to work other jobs besides crofting. Like we learned in Ireland, there is no value in the sheep’s wool, yet they have to be shorn. They pay £1.25 for each sheep to be shorn, but only receive about 10 pence for the wool! The value is in the lambs, for which they receive about £200 per lamb. They sell them when they’re small, and another provider handles keeping them until they’re just right for butchering. Eating lamb always makes me feel bad, but I do like it so!

Other things we learned:

There are 10,000 people on Skye

The island is mostly seasonal (most tourist attractions close down in October)

There are two primary clans / landowners: MacLeod and MacDonald. The MacDonalds weren’t the best business people and the government ended up owning most of their land, which has been converted to crofts.

Skye and the western part of Scotland was ruled by Norway until 1200’s and was completely separate from the rest of Scotland. People Traveled between islands in boats known as Birlinns. It was a peaceful time where arts and culture developed as they weren’t having to defend their land or fight with each other. Then the “Lord of the Isles” that conspired with King of England to bring the rest of Scotland into the UK. In 1540 - James V - sailed here to Portree - which means Harbor of The King. Skye = cloud island in Norse

Became popular with tourists during the Victorian era - taken with the rustic landscape, featured in paintings, poems, and books.

We walked through town to the Gathering Hall - built in 1800s for Landowner Classes to gather. Only used twice a year as they travelled and visited all around the Highlands. Sarah told us of all night parties by the upper class even in her time here. She recalls going to work in the morning and watching the still drunk party goers jump into the sea in their kilts and ball gowns! Now the hall is used for lots of different activities.

We walked up to a park where their Highland Games are staged. She had lots more to say, but the wind was now brutal (glad we skipped the boat!) and the rain was pelting us! We did learn that the Highland Games were traditionally to show who was strongest, and the winners typically became the leaders of the region. Eventually, it changed to have rulers pass on their kingdoms to their offspring - I like the having to win it option better! At that point, Kelli got bopped on the head by a flying chestnut, so we declared the walk to be over and scurried back towards the hotel.

Jeff and I followed Kelli and Nelson into a crowded pub, but we were soaked for the second time that day and getting cold. It didn’t feel great to get dry and cozy only to have to go back out in it to get to the hotel! We were blown back to the hotel with gusts that nearly knocked us off our feet! We arranged room service with the front desk, and went up to our room for hot showers and dry clothes. We had a bottle of wine, soup and bread and cheesecake. Perfect. We watching a program with a tour of Cornwall (not expecting sunny skies like we saw on the TV but here’s hoping). We played a couple of games of cribbage and enjoyed being snuggly in our room with the storm lashing at our windows!

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Good Morning fro, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Skyelight- Looking down on Trotternish Ridge from Quiraing seeing a break in the heavy, moody, clouds allowing slivers of early morning light .📸images@twiston on 500PX

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Trotternish Ridge in Mist, Isle of Skye, Scotland / Thomas Cohoon

(via Pinterest)

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 The Old Man of Storr & Sanctuary on Isle of Skye - Trotternish Ridge

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Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

Situated off the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Skye is known for its beautiful scenery and unique land formations. The spectacular ridge of hills which were the result of a massive landslip that run for about 30km, form the backbone of the Trotternish peninsula in the north east of Skye contains one of the islands most recognisable landmarks, the Old Man of Storr..Taking its name from the escarpment on which it stands, the Old Man of Storr is the most famous of the rocky basalt pinnacles which dot the landscape. Standing at an elevation of 2,359 feet and at a height of about 160 feet, its prominent position and strange shape have over the centuries given rise to a number of stories which even today imbue the landscape with a sense of mystery and romance..Given giants occur frequently in traditional Scottish folklore it is no surprise the main legend would feature one. The formation of many natural features here and in the West of Scotland in general were often ascribed to the exploits of these giants who frequently came into conflict with men, always coming off worse. One of the enduring stories relating to the Old Man of Storr is that it was the thumb of a giant who when he died became buried in the earth. Another version is that whilst fleeing from attackers, two giants, an old man and his wife made the unfortunate decision to look back and as they did so were turned to stone.