The Old Man of Storr.

Start. Old Man of Storr car park.

Route. Old Man of Storr car park - Storr Viewpoint - The Old Man of Storr - Cathedral Rock (The Needle) - Storr Lookout Point - Loch Parishale - Old Man of Storr car park.

Notes. The Old Man of Storr on the Trotternish Ridge is probably the most famous walk, and definitely the busiest attraction on the Isle of Skye. The Old Man is a 180ft high pinnacle of basalt rock which is all that remains of a 2,800-million-year-old volcanic plug. The Trotternish Ridge was created around 60million years ago by a massive landslip. Hot volcanic lava flowed onto the weaker sedimentary Jurassic rock beneath it causing the latter to collapse and form the undulating cliff faces of the eastern coastline of Trotternish. Worryingly this magnificent landscape that can be seen from miles around is still on the move, particularly around Flodigarry at the north end of the ridge.

We last set foot on the rock of The Storr way back in 2007, and bloody hell how things have changed, the car park once only road side parking for a few cars now has pay and display spaces for 142, including cycle and motor cycle parking, spaces for motor homes with waste disposal facilities if needed. The lower wooded slopes have been cleared allowing natural flora to get a root hold, and better the hill side looks for it.

The route is clear, a wide path guided us and many other explorers of all ages uphill through an area intended to be regenerated with native woodland, it didn’t take long before views over the Isle of Raasay to the mainland opened up behind us. Taking the right hand of two paths the long ascent continued, the massive cliffs of The Storr growing larger with every step. The path passed to the right of The Old Man of Storr vanishing behind Cathedral Rock (The Needle), the path then climbs to a coll, now named Storr Lookout Point, from here the views back are just breath-taking.

From the coll we re-traced our steps to a path junction, this not so well trod path passed behind The Old Man of Storr before swinging left and descending to reach the main path. We continued down hill, passed through a gate then joined another wide path on the right. This path gifted us with views to the once thriving township of Toterom, cleared around 1832 to make way for sheep. After passing a tiny lochan the path climbed before descending to the gate allowing access to the car park, an abrupt end to a stunning walk.

view route map.

home.

Viewing the Black Cuillin over Loch Leathan.

Rising from the waters of Loch Leathan, Fiurnean, grey on the far horizon Glamaig.

Over the Sound of Raasay, Rona and Raasay.

Fangs reaching for the sky, the cliffs of The Storr.

Looking to Rona backed by the blue/grey hills of Wester Ross.

Approaching Cathedral Rock (The Needle).

The Old Man of Storr a 180ft high pinnacle of basalt rock pointing skyward.

Viewing The Old Man of Storr, the valley to the right is known as The Sanctuary.

Cathedral Rock or The Needle take your pick either way it's an impressive chunk of rock.

Teeth of rock gnawing at the sky.

A wonderful play of light over the Sound of Raasay.

The jagged rocks of the Storr visible for miles around.

Seen from the Storr Lookout Point, the Old Man of Storr backed by the Black Cuillin with the Red Cuillin to the left.

Descending through what was once pine forest, the lower wooded slopes have been cleared allowing natural flora to get a root hold.

Looking over the once thriving township of Toterom, cleared around 1832 to make way for sheep.

Loch Leathan and Loch Fada collectively known as the Storr Lochs.

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