Isle of Skye

Overview

Isle of Skye Map

Skye or the Isle of Skye (/skaɪ/; Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach or Eilean a' Cheò) is the largest and most northerly large island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.^{[Note 1]} The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillins, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country.^[9][10]Although it has been suggested that the Gaelic Sgitheanach describes a winged shape there is no definitive agreement as to the name's origins.

The Black Cuillin, which are mainly composed of basalt and gabbro, include twelve Munros and provide some of the most dramatic and challenging mountain terrain in Scotland.^[9] The ascent of Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh is one of the longest rock climbs in Britain and the Inaccessible Pinnacle is the only peak in Scotland that requires technical climbing skills to reach the summit.^[16][26] These hills make demands of the hill walker that exceed any others found in Scotland^[27] and a full traverse of the Cuillin ridge may take 15–20 hours.^[28] The Red Hills (Gaelic: Am Binnean Dearg) to the south are also known as the Red Cuillin. They are mainly composed of granite that has weathered into more rounded hills with many long scree slopes on their flanks. The highest point of these hills is Glamaig, one of only two Corbettson Skye.^[29]

The northern peninsula of Trotternish is underlain by basalt, which provides relatively rich soils and a variety of unusual rock features. The Kilt Rock is named after the tartan-like patterns in the 105 metres (344 ft) cliffs. The Quiraing is a spectacular series of rock pinnacles on the eastern side of the main spine of the peninsula and further south is the rock pillar of the Old Man of Storr.^[30]

The Ranges of The Isle of Skye

 

Sgurr na Coinnich across Loch Alsh

Kylerhea Hills

The Isle of Skye and the peaks of Kylerhea are first seen from Eilean Castle on the eastern approach from Kyle of Lochalsh and dominate the view all the way to the Skye Bridge. These are not the peaks that the majority of people that visit the Isle of Skye come to climb, but nonetheless they are decent enough peaks for the avid hill walker.

Kylerhea, in the south-eastern pennisula of the Isle of Skye, is predominantly made up of boggy moors and fine little lochans. It has a delectable charm and the peaks on either side of the Glen Arroch road give a taster of the delights which lie ahead. There are only 3 peaks in Kylerhea of note. The first 2 lie to the north of Glen Arroch and are Sgurr na Coinnich and Beinn na Caillich. Both offer fine views of the Red and Black Cuillins. The 3rd peak is Ben Aslak to the south of Glen Arroch, which has excellent views south down the Sound of Sleat.

Sgurr nan Gillean (Black Cuillins) and the River Sligachen

Strathaird

Blaven Group - Blaven (Bla Bheinn) is considered an outlier of the Black Cuillin. Despite it being gabbro, it is not technically a Black Cuillin because it is east of Glen Sligacan,but it's also not Red and it is a Munro... why can't this be easy!

The Red Cuillin

The Red Cuillin (Red Hills) - Lying east of Glen Sligachan.  Peaks in the Red Cuillin are more mellow than ones the Black Cuillin; they are typically covered in vegetation.  The Red Cuillin are granitic, but display a red tinge in certain light conditions.

The Black Cuillin

With the exception of Blaven in Strathaird, all Munros on Skye are in the Black Cuillin. Without a doubt, the most impressive range on Skye and possibly all of Scotland. This region is again broken down into: The Black Cuillin - located west of Glen Sligachan. Said to be the true Cuillin, the Black Cuillins are know for their exhilarating climbs. The Black Cuillins are composed of gabbro, a very rough, black igneous rock, which feels great in the hand, even when holds aren't positive. All Munros on Skye (minus one) are in the Black Cuillin.

The Trotternish from Portree

The Trotternish

Described by sources as being a 19 mile landslide. This feature can be seen quite easily from Portree and exends well up the peninsula; it contains the very popular walk the "Old Man of Storr" which is found below the Graham "The Storr".

Peak Classification

As a testament to how old their classification is, or possibly as a nod to the clearly superior altitude unit (not likely), we find that the British use feet.  The elevation classes that are relevant to Skye are as follows:

Class Name	Elevation Rule
Munro	>= 3000 ft.
Corbett	>= 2500 ft.
Graham	>= 2000 ft.
Sub 2000er	< 2000 ft.

Please note that:

1. I've assumed that a Munro (as an example) is >= 3000 ft. and not > 3000 as described on Wikipedia and on WalkingHighlands.  I make this assumption because:
1. If a sub 2000er is < 2000 and a Graham is > 2000, then what is exactly 2000?  A Graham must be >= 2000.
2. It would inconsistent for one class to begin on a round number and another not.  Classes begin on nice round numbers: 2000, 2500, and 3000.
2. All Munros are Corbetts
3. All Corbetts are Grahams
4. I only specify the highest order class a peak is a member of; I never heard Ben Nevis referred to as a Graham, even though it is one technically.
5. The sub 2000ers are not listed because there are many and I'm not sure what the interest level is for those.  If you need the sub 2000ers listed, please let me know.

The Isle of Skye Peaks >= 2000 Ft.

Below is a table of all peaks >= 2000 ft, classified the way the British do.

Download and XLSX Spreadsheet of the following table.

Peak Name	Elev. (m)	Elev. (ft)	Range	Elev. Class
Sgurr Alasdair	992	3,254.60	Black Cuillins	Munro
Inaccessible Pinnacle (Sgùrr Dearg)	986	3,234.91	Black Cuillins	Munro
Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh	973	3,192.26	Black Cuillins	Munro
Sgurr na Banachdich	965	3,166.01	Black Cuillins	Munro
Sgurr nan Gillean	964	3,162.73	Black Cuillins	Munro
Bruach na Frithe	958	3,143.05	Black Cuillins	Munro
Sgurr Mhic Choinnich	948	3,110.24	Black Cuillins	Munro
Sgurr Dubh Mor	944	3,097.12	Black Cuillins	Munro
Am Basteir	934	3,064.31	Black Cuillins	Munro
Bla Bheinn	928	3,044.62	Blaven Group	Munro
Sgurr nan Eag	924	3,031.50	Black Cuillins	Munro
Sgurr a'Mhadaidh	918	3,011.81	Black Cuillins	Munro
Garbh-bheinn (Skye)	808	2,650.92	Blaven Group	Corbett
Glamaig	775	2,542.65	Red Cuillins	Corbett
Sgurr na Coinnich	739	2,424.54	Kylerhea Hills	Graham
Marsco	736	2,414.70	Red Cuillins	Graham
Beinn na Caillich (Kylerhea)	732	2,401.58	Kylerhea Hills	Graham
Beinn na Caillich (Broadford)	732	2,401.58	Red Cuillins	Graham
Beinn Dearg Mhor (Sligachan)	731	2,398.30	Red Cuillins	Graham
The Storr	717	2,352.37	Trotternish	Graham
Beinn Dearg Mhor (Broadford)	709	2,326.12	Red Cuillins	Graham
Belig	702	2,303.15	Blaven Group	Graham
Hartaval	667	2,188.32	Trotternish	Graham
Ben Aslak	610	2,001.31	Kylerhea Hills	Graham

Red Tape

There is no red tape in Scotland due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which incorporated the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This code, which commenced on the 9th of February 2005, has established statutory rights of access to land and inland water for outdoor recreation.

The Land Reform(Scotland) Act 2003
Scottish Outdoor Access Code

The following aspects should be taken into consideration when you are in the Scottish countryside;

• Seek local advice in regard to deer stalking or grouse shooting activities


• Ensure that all gates are closed behind you


• During the lambing season (March to May) ensure that all dogs are kept on a lead


• Please refrain from feeding or annoying any animals


• Limited parking space is available at the start of many routes, please ensure that you are not blocking a road and/or entrance


• Parking is provided at the start of some routes by the local farmers, it is polite to ask if you can use this facility


• Try to refrain from crossing fields with animals and/or crops if an alternative route is available


• Ensure that you treat the local environment with care by leaving it as you found it and by taking any litter home with you


• Any camp fires should be carefully watched and only used away from dense forest areas

Blaven. (Photo by: jonybakery)

Getting There

From Wikipedia:

Skye is linked to the mainland by the Skye Bridge, while ferries sail from Armadale on the island to Mallaig, and from Kylerhea to Glenelg. Ferries also run from Uig to Tarbert on Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist, and from Sconser to Raasay.^[16][103]

Bus services run to Inverness and Glasgow, and there are local services on the island, mainly starting from Portree or Broadford. Train services run from Kyle of Lochalsh at the mainland end of the Skye Bridge to Inverness, as well as from Glasgow to Mallaig from where the ferry can be caught to Armadale.^[105]

The Isle of Skye Airfield at Ashaig, near Broadford, is used by private aircraft and occasionally by NHS Highland and the Scottish Ambulance Service for transferring patients to hospitals on the mainland.^[106]

The A87 trunk road traverses the island from the Skye Bridge to Uig, linking most of the major settlements. Many of the island's roads have been widened in the past forty years although there are still substantial sections of single track road.^[4][16]

Accommodation

The Campsite at the Sligachan Hotel

The road to Glen Brittle 

Glen Brittle campsite from the ridge

It would be possible, though a bit of a drive if you are only going to visit the Trotternish, to use the Sligachan Hotel as a base of operations.  We were able to explore in the Trotternish and Black Cuillins from there; the Tallisker Distillery is also reachable from the hotel.  The hotel has wi-fi and is also a micro-brewery; the food is reasonable and delicious.  They also host a camp ground next to the hotel if you are willing to risk the weather.  Please click on the link below to find up-to-date information about the hotel:

http://www.sligachan.co.uk/

The other main camping site giving access to the Cuillin Ridge is located on the west coast at Glen Brittle this is a remote location but with an unrivalled view of the whole of the Black Cuillins.

The Campsite has a shop for essential supplies.

Wild Camping

Wild camping is totally legal in Scotland and can be done in various locations in Glencoe. This is due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 that was mentioned earlier.

Here are some of the basic rules that should be adopted when wild camping;

• The larger the group, the harder it is to keep impacts to a minimum. Keep groups small.


• Camp as unobtrusively as possible.


• Remember that noise travels from tents disturbing wildlife as well as humans.


• Enjoy the freedom of wild camping without leaving a trace of your passage. Protect our country's outstanding scenery and wildlife as well as the wilderness experience.


• Camping on the same spot harms vegetation. Aim to move frequently and do not stay for any longer than 3 nights in the same place.


• Lighting fires poses a high fire risk on peaty soils and close to tinder dry grass. A high risk of fire can exist at any time of year, and not just in times of drought.


• Watercourses and loch sides are important sites for birds and animals. Take extra care when camping near burns and lochs, and try to avoid camping immediately beside them.


• Always find a spot at least 30 metres from fresh/running water when going to the toilet.


• Bury excrement in a small hole (not under boulders). A trowel or ice axe can be used to lift a flap of turf.


• Remove all litter (even other peoples!) Think ahead and only carry in what you are prepared to carry out.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland provides an invaluable leaflet providing a full breakdown of the dos and don'ts of wild camping in Scotland. Wild Camping, A guide to good practice.

Mountain/Weather conditions

The weather conditions on the Isle of Skye can alter rapidly due to its location on the western coast of Scotland and you should ensure you are fully prepared for all weather eventualities. The most comprehensive forecast guide for climbing/hiking on the Isle of Skye is the Northwest Highlands Forecast provided by the Mountain Weather Information Serice (MWIS).

Maps and Books

Maps

OS Landranger Map 23 - North Skye
OS Landranger Map 32 - South Skye & Cuillin Hills
OS Landranger Map 33 - Loch Alsh, Glen Shiel & Loch Hourn
OS Explorer Map 411 - Cuillin Hills
Harvey Superwalker Map - Skye: The Cuillin

View Larger Map  |  Get Directions  |  View Bird's Eye

Books

The Munros by Donald Bennett & Rab Anderson
Walking the Munros Volume 2 by Steve Kew
The Corbetts by Rob Milne & Hamish Brown
Walking the Corbetts Volume 2 by Brian Johnson
The Islands of Scotland including Skye by Derek Fabian, Graham Little & Noel Williams
The Isle of Skye by Terry Marsh
Skye: The Cuillin by Mike Lates
Skye Sea Cliffs & Outcrops by Mark Hudson
Scottish Winter Climbs by Andy Nisbet, Rab Anderson, Simon Richardson
Scotland's Mountain Ridges by Dan Bailey
Hostile Habitats by Mark Wrightham & Nick Kempe
Scottish Hill Names by Peter Drummond

The Scottish Peaks by W A Poucher

100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains by Ralph Storer

Basic Gaelic Names Glossary

 

Marsco

 

Torrin

Gaelic is a very rich language topographically, and this basic guide to some of the elements of place names should hopefully assist in understanding how/why the mountains on this page (and Scotland as a whole) are derived. It should be noted that in Gaelic a describing word would be placed at the end of a mountain name; i.e. Sgorr (peak) Dhearg (red), Sgorr Dhearg translated is Red Peak. This would read in English as Peak Red.
 

Northern Cuillin

 

Cuillin Ridge

Glossary
 

Old Man of Storr

 

Portnalong

 

Winter Cuillin

Gaelic word	English translation	Pronunciation
Achadh	field	achagh
Adharcan	Lapwing	ogharkan
Airidh	sheiling	aa'rea
Allt	stream, river	ault
Aonach	ridge	onach
Ard, Aird	high place	aird
Ba	cattle	baa
Ban	white, pale	baan
Beag	little	bayk
Bealach	pass, col	byalach
Beinn, Bheinn, Ben	mountain	byn
Beith	Birch	bay
Bidean	pinnacle	beetyan
Binnean	high, conical hill	beenyan
Blar	cleared space, field	blaar
Both	Hut	bo
Breac	speckled	brechk
Buidhe	yellow	booya
Cas	steep	cas
caorach	sheep	koreech
Caorunn	Rowan	koran
Carn	cairn	kaarn
Ceann	head, headland	kyaan
Cioch	breast	keeach
Ciche	genetive of cioch	keecha
Clach	stone	klach
Coille	wood, forest	kilya
Creag	crag, rock, cliff	krayk
Damh	Stag	dav
Darach	Oak	darach
Dearg	red	dyerack
Dubh	black	doo
Eas	waterfall	es
Eilidh	Hind	aalay
Eilean	island	aalyan
Eun	bird	ayn
Fada	long	fata
Fas	deserted place	faas
Feadag	Plover	fedak
Fionn	white, holy	fyoon
Fraoch	Heather	froch
Fuar	cold	fooar
Fuaran	Well, spring	fooaran
Gabhar	Goat	gaavar
Garbh	rough	garv
Geal	white	gyal
Gearr	short	gyar
Githas	Pine	gyoo'as
Glas	grey, green	glas
Gorm	green, blue	goram
Guala	shoulder of hill	gooala
Iolaire	Eagle	yi'lara
Labhar	loud	lavar
Lairig	pass	laarik
Leacach	stony slope	lyech-kach
Leathad	broad slope, brae	lyehat
Liadh	grey	lyeea
Madadh-ruadh	Fox	matagh-rooagh
Maol	bare top	moel
Meall	round top	myowl
Mheadhoin	middle	ve-aan
Mor, Mhor	large	moar
Muileann	mill	mool-an
Mullach	top, summit	mooll-ach
Odhar	dun coloured	ouar
Roid	bog	rot
Ruadh	red	rooagh
Sgorr, Sgurr	rocky peak	skoor
Sneachd	snow	shnyach
Sron	nose	srawn
Stob	point	stop
Tarmachan	Ptarmigan	taramachan
Trilleachan	Oyster-catcher, Sand-piper	treel-yachan
Uaine	green, pallid	ooanya
Uinneag	window	oonyak

The Ridge

Not convinced by the above info that you should visit the Isle of Skye. Lets see if this can convince you!

External Links

 

Camasunary and the Cuillin

Visit Scotland Discover Scotland Undiscovered Scotland Skye:The Island & Lochalsh Isle of Skye Walk Highlands The Scottish Mountaineering Club Munro Magic Deer Stalking Scotland Mountain Rescue Committee Of Scotland Buachaille.com