Scotland 2025 - Sept 23 - The Old Man of Storr

Wow. Talk about spectacular. Today we left Broadford and were driven north on the Isle of Skye to Portree. From Portree we took a bus to the base of Storr, a mountain on the Trotternish peninsula.  

It is a very popular hike, the car park was full as was the side of the road.  The lower portion of the trail was a bit congested, but the crowds thinned as did the air, and we were in awe of all of the land forms. Every step was a new photo op. 

The trail was a mix of hard packed small rocks, and then some very easy to manage boulder steps. Apparently these can be tricky in rain, but didn't have any rain (woot woot). 

Part way up we stopped for our first views of the pinnacles, separated from the main mountain millions of years ago, but not so far away, just enough to be dramatic. 

From the path you can look out over the Sound of Raasay.

The summit was a fun place to help others take once in a lifetime shots, and to just stand in awe of mother nature in all her glory. 

At the location there wasn't much information about the naming of this landmark. I did some research and there are a few legends. 

We took a few side trails on the way down. Avoiding the congestion on the main trail, and giving us a chance to sit down for lunch and take it all in. 

We watched some wild rabbits (maybe hares, they were very big) playing on this slope. 

It was a short steep hike and as we descended we told all those on their way up that it was absolutely worth the challenge of the climb. 

We finished the hike in time to catch the same bus that brought us here. The 57A. We had purchased all day tickets, as suggested at the Information Centre, and we learned that we could take this bus for a two hour loop around the northern shoreline of the isle. 

This bus basically does triple duty - City bus, school bus and tour bus.  While we were missing the commentary of a knowledgeable tour guide, we did get the latest gossip and silliness of the local kids on their way home after school. 

It was a wonderful way to rest after the hike and to see more of Skye and the dramatic coastlines and cute villages. 

And more goats - haha - I mean SHEEP!!

Many photos were taken to capture the roads and the landscape. 

And both sides on the bus had picturesque viewing, once the school kids were gone. 

It was two hours of enjoying the view. Green pastures, white houses, old stone buildings and walls, gorgeous views out to the water and dramatic beaches and cliffs. 

There were other sites that caught my eye too. A very Scottish dog walker, with his sheep herding dog, and wonderful old telephone booth, and of course the adventures of the narrow roads when someone has to pull over, slow down, give way.  Our bus driver was impressive.  

At one point going down towards a ferry terminal the road has a hair pin turn (highlighted in yellow below), our bus actually had to do a three point turn 😳

Back to Portree for dinner. We found it to be very busy with some restaurants claiming an hour wait, even before 6 pm. Happily we found a cozy little place, The Royal Hotel restaurant, and enjoyed a Cullen Skink*, a glass of wine and... you guessed it a side of chips. 

*Cullen Skink - a cream soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes and leeks. Named after its place of origin, Cullen Scotland, on the North Eastern shore. Cullen has a thriving smoked haddock industry, and "skink" is a Scottish term for broth.  Tastes better than the name, just sayin'.

Bon appetit and good night.