The Quiraing and Meall na Suiramach, Northern Trotternish Ridge

The Quiraing and Meall na Suiramach (543 mtrs) as viewed from Staffin Beach. The length of ridge shown here is approximately 3.8 km.

The Trotternish landslip, a massive landslide runs almost the full length of the Trotternish peninsula, some 30 kilometres (19 mi). The landslip contains two of Skye's most famous landmarks: the Old Man of Storr, (right of picture below) an isolated rocky pinnacle, and the Quiraing, an area of dramatic and unusual rock formations. The summit of The Storr, on whose slopes the Old Man of Storr is located, is the highest point of the peninsula.

A little below Meall na Suiramach’s cliffs is an improbable jumble of grass-topped rock towers and crags, which appear to be have been frozen mid tumble in a variety of strange angles. Below this and to the right is a maze of grassy hummocks and domes. Collectively these features are known as the Quiraing, the largest landslide in Britain.

2km wide, the Quiraing stretches all the way from the escarpment down to the sea and covers a total area of 8.5 sq km, but it’s actually part of a much bigger series of ancient landslides all along the Trotternish ridge. The name Quiraing comes from Old Norse 'Kví Rand', which means "Round Fold". Within the fold is The Table, an elevated plateau hidden amongst the pillars. It is said that the fold was used to conceal cattle from Viking raiders.


The Storr