Mountaineering On The Isle Of Skye
by S.G.R.BAre you searching for a vacation with a difference? Have you taken a look at visiting Scotland? Have you ever taken a vacation in a remote island? In the following article I discuss the Isle of Skye situated off Scotland’s west coast.
The breathtaking Hebridean Isle of Skye is an extremely popular destination for vacations and short breaks. Frequently associated with older tourists Skye is famed for it’s most incredible landscape and the most clearly seen feature is the impressive sight of the Black Cuillins.
The Cuillins are a ridge of mountains which contain rocks from all 3 periods of geology; Triassic, Cretaceous and Jurassic, making the mountains seriously popular with both folk hunting for fossils and geologists as well as mountain climbers, ramblers, hikers, hill-walkers.
The mountain tops of Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir provide the most striking vistas. The Isle of Skye’s easiest munro to climb (a munro is a mountain in Scotland which is more than three thousand feet) is Bruach na Frithe. The most difficult is Basteir Tooth. Sgurr Beag is another easy climb but you may find Sgurr Na h-Uarma a moderate climb.
Most hill walkers and mountain climbers set off from Sligachan as it is approximately 3km from there to the start of the Cuillin mountains.
Safety In The Cuillins
Each year far too many folk (including a fair few experienced mountain climbers) find themselves in a certain amount of difficulty. Skye weather can change in the blink of an eye, one minute the sun is shining in a clear sky and the next you can find yourself being pounded by icy winds.
One thing which is crucial to do, is to check the local weather forecast. The information is available at the island’s Tourist Information Centres. These are found at the following sites: 2 Lochside in Dunvegan, the car park in Broadford and Bayfield Road in Portree.
The Tourist Information Centres print a handy brochure about safety in the Cuillins which is very worthwhile picking up and filling out. You can not fail to see it as it is coloured bright orange. When you have filled in all the boxes on the form leave it with a responsible person who will not be going with you.
Isle Of Skye Accommodation
As earlier mentioned the island is incredibly popular so finding bed & breakfast on Skye is very difficult during the summer season. If you like the idea of a climbing vacation on Skye it is crucially important that you reserve your Isle of Skye bed and breakfast as early as possible.