This is the view from the road. While travelling from one picturesque location to another on the Isle of Skye, the Cuillin is the dominant feature of the landscape that will have you stopping at every available opportunity, of which there are few.
Since I was having problems with my knees before my trip, I almost cancelled because I wasn’t going to be able to do any hiking. But in the end I decided to go anyway because surely there would be some shots I could get from the road. Good call!
The Cuillin is a mountain range on the Isle of Skye that has two sides separated by the Glen Sligachan (Glen is a Scottish term for valley). On one side is the Black Cuillin which has high dramatic peaks including 11 Munros (a Scottish term for a mountain that is over 3,000 feet). This is where the experienced hikers go. On the other side is the Red Cuillin, which has smaller, rounded, vegetation covered hills.
Sligachan River
When I arrived on the Isle of Skye, my first stop was at the Sligachan River. My rubber boots came the rescue once again as I trudged through the bog, each step making a sucking sound as I pulled my boot out until I got to the rocky river’s edge.
The river is stunning especially with the autumn foliage lining each side and the Black Cuillin in the background. I was pretty happy with my very first stop on Skye.
The Black Cuillin
Always majestic, the jagged peaks of the Black Cuillin are made all the more dramatic by the ever changing clouds. I’ve heard that hiking the Black Cuillin is what dreams and nightmares are made of.
The Red Cuillin
The rolling hills of the Red Cuillin appear more gentle in comparison to the Black Cuillin, but still contain challenging hikes. At the B&B, people described their hikes on the Red Cuillin as punishing and fierce, but at least you don’t have to be a rock climber or mountaineer to attempt it. Maybe next time!
The only problem photographing The Cuillin from the road is that there are not many places to pull over. I saw so many dramatic landscapes that I desperately wanted to photograph, but there was nowhere to park! The roads have absolutely no shoulder whatsoever, and on the edge is the bog that will undoubtedly suck your car in. I didn’t want to be one of the many tourists I saw waiting for a tow!
But still, I managed to stop where I could and get some photos I am happy with either right from the road or by walking a short distance. If I go again, I’ll take my dashcam because the drive is incredible.
I will be traveling there in September with my sister. Can not wait to see these lovely places. Your pictures are wonderful, just makes me want to see more. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful, I’m sure you are going to love it! I think September would be a great time to go. Your comments are much appreciated 🙂
Beautiful photos, Anne. Skye is extremely photogenic, and you do it justice. Looking forward to your photos of The Old Man of Storr on your next trip, when your knees are feeling better… That’s a photo destination of your dreams!
Thank you so much Ursula. I’m going to have my story about Storr coming up soon. Spoiler alert: I did go!!
Hi Anne I like all your shots particularly the ones Eilean Castle the colours are fantastic
Thank you very much David 🙂
Beautiful images of this wild landscape, Anne. I completed the full traverse of the Black Cuillin ridge about 15 years ago. The toughest ridge walk/climb in the UK, including a bivouac halfway round. A major undertaking and an unforgettable experience.
That’s awesome, I bet it was incredible. I’ve heard that you can go from bothy to bothy in the highlands, which would be a great adventure. I think I might be too old for that though! 🙂 Thanks for your comments Andy.
Superb landscapes love the view of the Sligachan River.
Many thanks Clarence! It turned out there was no shortage of “waterfall in front of mountain” shots in Scotland but I still loved every one of them.
Gorgeous images, all, Anne – I especially love the one with the bridge in it. Doubt I’ll ever get there so I appreciate the vicarious tour!
Thank you very much Laurie! I’m really glad I went as I was planning to go to Scotland on my very first overseas trip 25 years ago, but I never made it. I ended up spending all my time in eastern Europe then.
Stunning photographs. It looks cold and breeze.
I went in October so it was a bit chilly, but not too bad really. It was about the same as British Columbia that time of year. Thanks for your comments!