The Storr, a new perspective

[OweyJH1]

]Having visited Skye for many years, the Storr is by far one of my most popular walks. In recent years, and despite the obvious benefit to the island, it does sadden me to see the original car park over run with vehicles of all shapes and sizes, with the main routes on the walk heaving with holidaymakers. For me this isn't what I desire from a hill walk, I crave the solitude and silence that the mountains give me. Last year, my brother in law and I decided to approach the summit from a different route to regain this desire.

This year I set out alone from our starting point last year. Despite the first mile or so trudging through bogs, heather and tussocky ground, a steep and grassy incline is suddenly reached, with rocky crags towering above (just what Skye is all about). Picking my way carefully through this, calves and thighs straining with the effort of this incline, I soon emerged onto a more gradual ascent to the Storr, linking up with the 'traditional path'. The cloud had closed in this point, offering a murky and mysterious atmosphere as I ascended the familiar grassy and rocky route towards the summit, not another soul visible.

The cloud started to clear as I reached the battered old trig point, and I was delighted to see the Cuillin in all its glory through dramatic gaps in the cloud. I could've stayed there all day, had a slightly icy wind not been blowing. I had thoroughly enjoyed this new ascent up the Storr, and agreed to definitely make this my new way up. The view from the top never disappoints, however I was saddened to see that a previous visitor had scribbled needlessly with permanent ink a link to their instagram account on the trig point. Please DO NOT do this. If you really feel the need for followers, don't graffiti on these wild and beautiful spots.

Not yet being ready to return to my car, and with decent weather approaching, I consulted my map, and for fun decided to walk up a previously unvisited peak called Hartaval, the next in the Trottenish ridge link. I descended the grassy slopes, and soon joined a faint path and started the gentle ascent to Hartaval, an unassuming point, but nonetheless impressive, particularly with the dramatic clouds swirling around. I stopped to have some lunch here, admiring the fresh perspective I was getting of the Storr, the ridge and Skye in general.

My return route was the same as my ascent, taking care on the grassy slopes back down towards level ground. I thoroughly enjoyed this refreshing walk, full of new panoramas, but most importantly, the solitude and headspace that only comes in these rugged and remote spots.