Trail: The Old Man of Storr | Near Portree, Isle of Skye | Scotland
Website:
Know Before You Go: This is a VERY popular trail. We really liked the interpretive spur on the way down. Take cash to pay the parking meter in case the credit card machine is broken.
Length: 3 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate - it’s steep!
Terrain: Rock, aggregate, dirt/grass, stone stairs.
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Kid-Friendly: Yes
This very popular trail leads to one of the most iconic rock formations in Scotland. It’s a very steep hike — and a very crowded one - so don’t be afraid to step off the trail to take a photo and catch your breath (as we did). We took the main route up the steep stone steps, following the path around to the right past the Old Man of Storr to an overlook where you can see the nearby sea and surrounding hills. Coming back down, we took the spur to the right to travel the interpretive trail back to the trailhead. The interpretive trail offers different views and an historical perspective that really made us appreciate the importance of the area.
The Old Man of Storr is actually what’s called a volcanic plug, a remnant of volcanic activity that created the island around 2,800 million years ago. The rock column looks like a giant finger pointing to the sky, surrounded by sloping land that was formed from basalt lava. Local legend says the Old Man of Storr was a giant who was killed in a battle on the Trotternish Peninsula. After his death, his “thumb” remained partially above the ground. The rock formation was featured in the 2012 film Prometheus.
The area was once a farming community using the “rig and furrow” form of agriculture, which created a distinctive ridged pattern in the earth. Eventually the area was taken over as grazing land for sheep.
Website:
Know Before You Go: This is a VERY popular trail. We really liked the interpretive spur on the way down. Take cash to pay the parking meter in case the credit card machine is broken.
Length: 3 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate - it’s steep!
Terrain: Rock, aggregate, dirt/grass, stone stairs.
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Kid-Friendly: Yes
This very popular trail leads to one of the most iconic rock formations in Scotland. It’s a very steep hike — and a very crowded one - so don’t be afraid to step off the trail to take a photo and catch your breath (as we did). We took the main route up the steep stone steps, following the path around to the right past the Old Man of Storr to an overlook where you can see the nearby sea and surrounding hills. Coming back down, we took the spur to the right to travel the interpretive trail back to the trailhead. The interpretive trail offers different views and an historical perspective that really made us appreciate the importance of the area.
The Old Man of Storr is actually what’s called a volcanic plug, a remnant of volcanic activity that created the island around 2,800 million years ago. The rock column looks like a giant finger pointing to the sky, surrounded by sloping land that was formed from basalt lava. Local legend says the Old Man of Storr was a giant who was killed in a battle on the Trotternish Peninsula. After his death, his “thumb” remained partially above the ground. The rock formation was featured in the 2012 film Prometheus.
The area was once a farming community using the “rig and furrow” form of agriculture, which created a distinctive ridged pattern in the earth. Eventually the area was taken over as grazing land for sheep.
