Friday 21/05/2023 Old Man of Storr
Isle of Skye, SCOTLAND
Participants: Caroline Davies, Paul Davies, Peter Davies, Sophie Davies, Stephen Davies (Report, Photos), Sue Davies
From our base at Portree, we drove north along the east coast of Skye to Lock Leather. The road is single-lane bitumen with frequent short wider areas for passing. Being mid-Sunday morning there was a lot of traffic around, much of it aiming for the carpark at the start of Old Man of Storr walk. This a paid carpark (5 pounds with a 6-hour limit) and the largest carpark north of Portree.
Max elevation: 509 m
Total climbing: 474 m
Total descent: -476 m
Average speed: 3.25 km/h
Total time: 03:00:49
Today we took our time and followed the slightly longer and gentler climb on the left-hand route. The views of the craggy cliff-line are spectacular and as luck would have it we had a fine, partially cloudy day with good visibility. Some time ago much of the route up was forested however, this timber has since been harvested allowing uninterrupted views in all directions for the entire walk.
Paul, did well to make it about the halfway mark, before returning to the car by himself. The pain from an old ankle injury was too much to get any further. The rest of us plodding on. After rejoining the more direct route there are many stone steps for about 100m vertical metres of climbing and once near the top, the great views become stunning. It was now no surprise as to why there were so many people doing this hike today.
Caroline and Peter on Old Man of Storr walk
Here there are several stunning rock spires to be explored from different angles. Today we headed towards the north to take in a selection of different vantage points before deciding it was time to head back to our cars. In returning early we left the tracks towards the south and to the summit of The Storr unexplored. If you have plenty of energy left when you reach Old Man of Storr and are as lucky as we were with the weather, I’m sure those tracks would be highly rewarding to complete as well.
From the Old Man of Storr walk we continued driving to the north along the east coast of the Isle of Skye, stopping each time anything caught our eye and we could find somewhere to park. There were some great views of coastal cliffs just to the north. Our search for a good stop for a coffee proved to be impossible, as there is very little in the way of eating options around the area.
Domestic Sheep (Ovis aries)
Along the north coast, we took a short walk through farmland to some old ruins, encountering some sheep with their lambs nearby. A little further on there was a small village recreated as they were hundreds of years previously.
The local flora, fauna, geology, history and some other walks (ChatGPT)
Local Flora and Fauna of Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye
The Old Man of Storr, an iconic pinnacle of rock jutting dramatically from the Isle of Skye’s landscape, is encompassed by a diverse array of flora and fauna, which play an integral role in the ecosystem of this unique geological formation. The locale’s maritime climate, characterized by temperate conditions and ample precipitation, has facilitated the establishment of various plant species, each adapted to the prevailing conditions.
The area’s flora is notably marked by heathland communities dominated by species such as Calluna vulgaris (common heather) and Erica cinerea (bell heather), which thrive upon the acidic soils derived from the island’s volcanic origins. These heathlands offer habitat and sustenance to a multitude of invertebrate species, including various butterflies and moths. Moreover, ferns, notably Polystichum spp. (shield ferns), can be observed within the damper recesses, where moisture accumulation is favoured.
In terms of fauna, the Old Man of Storr region harbours an assortment of avian species, with notable representatives being the Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis) and the northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). Raptors such as the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) also make occasional appearances, capitalizing on the abundance of small mammals present in the area. The adjacent coastal waters serve as a habitat for various marine species, including seabirds like the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) and the northern gannet (Morus bassanus).
Geology of Old Man of Storr
The geological framework of the Old Man of Storr is fundamentally rooted in the igneous history of the region. The Isle of Skye, being part of the broader Inner Hebrides, underwent volcanic activity during the Jurassic period, resulting in the formation of basaltic formations such as those exhibited by the Storr. The pinnacle itself is a product of a process known as “columnar jointing,” wherein cooling and contraction of lava flows give rise to hexagonal prismatic fractures. The Old Man of Storr is an erosional remnant of such columns, sculpted over millennia by the forces of weathering and glaciation.
Indigenous History and White Settlement
The indigenous history of the Isle of Skye, including the area around the Old Man of Storr, is imbued with the cultural heritage of the Gaels, whose presence on the island dates back centuries. These inhabitants engaged in activities such as farming, fishing, and herding, closely entwining their way of life with the surrounding landscape. Vestiges of their heritage can be discerned through place names, folklore, and the remnants of settlements.
In more recent history, the Isle of Skye, like much of Scotland, witnessed the influx of settlers during the 18th and 19th centuries, with agricultural and industrial enterprises shaping the demography of the region. This era of white settlement brought about changes in land usage and resource exploitation, which left their mark on the terrain surrounding the Old Man of Storr.
Walks and Trails
The Old Man of Storr is a magnet for hikers and enthusiasts of natural landscapes, offering a range of walks and trails that allow visitors to experience the site’s geological and ecological marvels. The Storr Trail, for instance, provides a moderate hike that meanders through the heathlands, leading to vantage points that afford panoramic views of the surrounding terrain and the coastline. The route is marked by interpretive signage that elucidates the geological and cultural significance of the locale. More advanced trekkers may undertake the Quiraing Circuit, a more extensive expedition encompassing the Storr and the Quiraing Ridge, which affords explorers an immersive encounter with the geological splendours and diverse biota of the region.
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