free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
On the morning of July 16 Rocket-Ron dropped me off at the Inverness bus station and half a day later I found myself just outside Flodigarry, ready to start my walk to the Quiraing, along the Trotternish Ridge, and from the Storr along the coast into Portree. I timed my start so that I would arrive above the Quiraing late afternoon with ample time to pitch my tent before the evening light would turn golden. Then up early for sunrise over the Quiraing. Judging the photos I'd already seen this place could be a photographer's dream in the right weather!!
But, as we all know, we don't always get the right weather
When I arrived at the northern edge of the Quiraing the fog was so dense I could not see more than 10 meters around me. Further down things opened up a bit, but it was clear the cloud base was at about 350 meters and not going anywhere. The prison drifted in and out of view. This was the best I would get:
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
I could not make out Bioda Buidhe, the first bump on the ridge. In fact, I could not even see the ridge at all! Mindful of the German guy who had fallen to his death while camping above the Storr just a week before, I decided not to venture into the cloud. I pitched my tent right there at the 'start' of the ridge in the hopes of better weather the next day. It started raining and blowing and I turned in early. The morning, however, turned out even worse. Even less visibility, with the whole Quiraing gone. I packed up the wet tent at early-o'clock and made it down to the bus stop in time for the first bus back to Portree. No Trotternish Ridge for me, not this time.
I wouldn't be posting a report if there was nothing to tell or to show, though, would I now?!
The weather cleared 36 hours later and though I'd missed my 'window' to walk the ridge, by then I'd met an Australian girl in Broadford who was also traveling alone. She had a car and hadn't seen the Quiraing yet so after we'd both had a full day walking in other parts of Skye, we drove up for what would prove to be a stunning evening. Encountered some 'locals' on the road first:
The Storr by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
Here I have to admit we didn't do much walking, only wandered around and took photos, but I hope you'll forgive me for that
First glimpse of the whole ridge, from Storr to Bioda Buidhe, with the moon rising above:
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
Storr, precious little Cleat, and Bioda Buidhe:
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
I think I camped somewhere up there:
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
Couldn't get enough of that enormous moon:
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
On top of the road pass next to the Quiraing, just above the parking lot. Looking towards the ridge from a bit higher up now:
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
Loch Leum na Luirginn, Loch Cleat, Cleat, Bioda Buidhe and the Storr between the two in the back. White houses of Staffin in the distance:
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
Bioda Buidhe and another high point on the ridge behind, Beinn Edra maybe?
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
Quiraing pinnacles in silhouette:
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
Yes, that's me happy
:
Quiraing by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
We drove back down to the STorr but first stopped off at Quilt Rock. Not much there but a lovely viewpoint for staring out to the sea and spotting wispy clouds:
Kilt Rock by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
Kilt Rock by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
Then the Storr and the Old man. This one's from the drive up, a few hours earlier:
The Storr by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
And that's a last look:
The Storr by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
And with the light fading it was time to get back into the hired wheels and drive back to Broadford (one of the red Cuillin in back; not sure of the name):
DSC08866 by
Eleonora F, on Flickr
A lovely evening!
