The Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr (the Old Man of Storr) is a huge 50—meter rock, which, thanks to its unique shape, is perhaps the main attraction and one of the symbols of the Isle of Skye.
Although the Old Man from Storr is visible for many kilometers, it will take a lot of work to get close to him. A 2-kilometer route leads to the rock, originating in a parking lot 10 kilometers north of the island’s capital Portree.
The trail is not very difficult, but some efforts will have to be made. To reach the goal, you will have to gain 330 meters of altitude over rocky terrain. Be sure to bring water with you and take care of the right shoes.
And the rest, there should be no special difficulties. The ascent is well marked and mostly easy to pass. On average, it takes about an hour to get to the top. But we were in a hurry at dawn and managed in 40 minutes.
By the way, the Old Man from Storr is a popular place to meet the dawn, and a lot of spectators often gather here by sunrise. They are mostly photographers, but there are also a lot of ordinary people. Come and see you — the spectacle is definitely fascinating.
In any case, I recommend the first half of the day for the visit. By evening, the sun sets behind the mountains in the east, and the surrounding hills sink into shadow. It still looks great, but still not so impressive.
The Quiraing
Some of the Scottish names are difficult to translate into Russian, and Quiraing (Quirang?) just one of those. That, however, does not prevent this area in the north of the Isle of Skye from being one of its main attractions.
Like the Old Man from Storr, Quirang is famous for stunning landscapes, as if from another planet. Endless hills flowing into each other are interspersed with lonely rocks, mountain lakes and seemingly insurmountable sheer cliffs.
You can see this splendor even from the parking lot, but I still recommend you to take a little walk. A 7-kilometer circular route passes along the Quirang, allowing you to admire some of the most stunning views on the Isle of Skye.
The trail is not very difficult, but still requires minimal physical training. I recommend starting in the morning, when the light is better, and the whole journey takes about two hours on average. But believe me, it’s really worth it.
Neist Point Lighthouse (Neist Point Lighthouse)
The Neist Point Lighthouse is located on the extreme western point of the Isle of Skye and is known for its stunning colorful sunsets. It is not surprising that he is very popular with photographers and couples in love.
Mike is really built in an extraordinarily beautiful place, on the very edge of a rocky peninsula that stands out far into the sea. On a clear day, the evening sun illuminates the cliffs with a bright golden light, perfectly contrasting with the blue of the ocean.
And here you can often see whales and dolphins, willingly frolicking in coastal waters. In general, it’s really a real romance.
You can go down to the lighthouse on a concrete, but in some places still quite steep path. But you can’t get inside. Built in 1909, Neist Point is still functioning (although now in a completely autonomous mode), and access to it is limited.
Lovers of active pastime can climb to the top of a nearby hill. But it doesn’t seem necessary to me at all. After all, you can just sit on the crest of a cliff and have a nice picnic with a truly unforgettable view.
Portree
Speaking of Skye, it is impossible to ignore Portree — the largest city of the island and its capital. It is known primarily for its harbor and bright colorful houses on the shore, which are often depicted on local postcards.
There is even an opinion that the name Portree comes from the Celtic “royal port” and arose after the visit of King James V and his fleet in 1540. But there is another version, according to which the name appeared even before that and means only “port on the slope”.
Anyway, the harbor has always played a big role in the life of the city. However, in Portree there is not only it, but also a picturesque park, the ruins of the watchtower, as well as numerous shops, cafes and restaurants where you can taste local cuisine.
The Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are a section of the Brittle River in the south of the Isle of Skye, replete with waterfalls flowing into each other and natural pools filled with crystal clear water from nearby mountains.
A three-kilometer route is laid along the river, which allows you to admire the unusual landscape up close. The path is wide enough and covered with gravel, it is not difficult to walk along it.
There are seven pools in total. It will take 25 minutes to walk to the first one. The same amount more to get to the last one. I don’t know if fairies really live here, but it’s not hard to believe — the place is really fabulous.
So expect at least an hour and a half. Or even more, if you dare to swim. Yes, it is by no means forbidden to do this in Fairy Pools. However, keep in mind — the water will be refreshing.