Scotland

The Storr (Scottish Gaelic: An Stòr) is a rocky hill on the Trotternish peninsula of the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The hill presents a steep rocky eastern face overlooking the Sound of Raasay, contrasting with gentler grassy slopes to the west. The Storr is prime example of the Trotternish landslip, the longest such feature in Great Britain. The Old Man of Storr ( Bodach an Stoir) is the large pinnacle on the right of the picture.

Taken from the east coast of the Trotternish Peninsula. The Little Minch (right of picture) is the body of water that lies between the island groups of the Outer and Inner Hebrides, separating the islands of Harris and North Uist (Outer Hebrides) in the west from the island of Skye (Inner Hebrides) in the east. The Outer Hebrides are just about visible on the horizon on the right of picture.

Best enlarged The picture was taken by the ruins of Duntulm Castle situated at the northern tip of the Trotternish Peninsula. The castle was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, when the area was subject to feuds between the rival MacLeod and Macdonald clans. The defences were improved in the 16th century, and by the early 17th century the MacDonalds had finally gained the upper hand in the area. During the 17th century it was the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacDonald of Sleat. The land on the horizon to the northwest is the Isle of Lewis and Harris, part of the Outer Hebrides, separated from Skye by the stretch of water called The Minch.

HFF 2/8/2109 Taken from Duntulm near the northern tip of the Trotternish Peninsula. The island to the right is Tulm Island, the summit of which rises to 33 mtrs. The mountains on the horizon are located on the Outer Hebrides island of Lewis and Harris. Lewis and Harris (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas agus na Hearadh) is the largest island of the Outer Hebrides. The northern part of the island is called Lewis, the southern is Harris and both are frequently referred to as if they were separate islands.

Best enlarged Staffin’s harbour – known locally as “The Slip” – is regarded with great affection by the community’s residents, both past and present. The Slipway, built more than a century ago, was effectively a lifeline for generations of local people with essential supplies being delivered by boat. It was, and is, a source of fish and other seafood and the slipway area is a key recreational asset for Staffin’s community and visitors whether it is fishing, camping, walking or bird watching. The link below shows the view towards The Slipway. www.ipernity.com/doc/cardiganieuan/44163952

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

The view is towards Staffin slipway from Staffin beach. It was in this area (An Corran) that local resident found a slab bearing a dinosaur track, probably made by a small ornithopod. Experts subsequently found more dinosaur prints of up to 50 cm, the largest found in Scotland, made by a creature similar to Megalosaurus. At about 160 million years old they are the youngest dinosaur remains to be found in Scotland. A Mesolithic hunter-gatherer site dating to the 7th millennium BC at An Corran is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Scotland. Its occupation is probably linked to that of the rock shelter at Sand, Applecross on the coast of Wester Ross.

Best enlarged The view is towards Staffin slipway from Staffin beach. It was in this area (An Corran) that local resident found a slab bearing a dinosaur track, probably made by a small ornithopod. Experts subsequently found more dinosaur prints of up to 50 cm, the largest found in Scotland, made by a creature similar to Megalosaurus. At about 160 million years old they are the youngest dinosaur remains to be found in Scotland. A Mesolithic hunter-gatherer site dating to the 7th millennium BC at An Corran is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Scotland. Its occupation is probably linked to that of the rock shelter at Sand, Applecross on the coast of Wester Ross.

Best enlarged The Kilmartin River runs northwards through Staffin. From where it reaches the sea a rocky shore leads east to a slipway at An Corran. Here a local resident found a slab bearing a dinosaur track, probably made by a small ornithopod. Experts subsequently found more dinosaur prints of up to 50 cm, the largest found in Scotland, made by a creature similar to Megalosaurus. At about 160 million years old they are the youngest dinosaur remains to be found in Scotland. A Mesolithic hunter-gatherer site dating to the 7th millennium BC at An Corran is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Scotland. Its occupation is probably linked to that of the rock shelter at Sand, Applecross on the coast of Wester Ross.

Best enlarged The Kilmartin River runs northwards through Staffin. From where it reaches the sea a rocky shore leads east to a slipway at An Corran. Here a local resident found a slab bearing a dinosaur track, probably made by a small ornithopod. Experts subsequently found more dinosaur prints of up to 50 cm, the largest found in Scotland, made by a creature similar to Megalosaurus. At about 160 million years old they are the youngest dinosaur remains to be found in Scotland. A Mesolithic hunter-gatherer site dating to the 7th millennium BC at An Corran is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Scotland. Its occupation is probably linked to that of the rock shelter at Sand, Applecross on the coast of Wester Ross. Staffin’s harbour – known locally as “The Slip” – is regarded with great affection by the community’s residents, both past and present. The Slipway, built more than a century ago, was effectively a lifeline for generations of local people with essential supplies being delivered by boat. It was, and is, a source of fish and other seafood and the slipway area is a key recreational asset for Staffin’s community and visitors whether it is fishing, camping, walking or bird watching. The link below shows the view towards Staffin. www.ipernity.com/doc/cardiganieuan/44759416

Staffin (Scottish Gaelic: Stafain) is a district with the Gaelic name An Taobh Sear, which translates as 'the East Side', on the northeast coast of the Trotternish peninsula of the island of Skye. It is located on the A855 road about 17 miles (27 km) north of Portree and is overlooked by the Trotternish Ridge with the famous rock formations of The Storrand the Quirang. The district comprises 23 townships made up of, from south to north, Rigg, Tote, Lealt, Lonfearn, Grealin, Breackry, Cul-nan-cnoc, Bhaltos, Raiseburgh, Ellishader, Garafad, Clachan, Garros, Marrishader, Maligar, Stenscholl, Brogaig, Sartle, Glasphein, Digg, Dunan, Flodigarry and Greap. The Kilmartin River runs northwards through the village. From where it reaches the sea a rocky shore leads east to a slipway at An Corran. Here a local resident found a slab bearing a dinosaur track, probably made by a small ornithopod. Experts subsequently found more dinosaur prints of up to 50 cm, the largest found in Scotland, made by a creature similar to Megalosaurus. At about 160 million years old they are the youngest dinosaur remains to be found in Scotland. A Mesolithic hunter-gatherer site dating to the 7th millennium BC at An Corran is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Scotland. Its occupation is probably linked to that of the rock shelter at Sand, Applecross on the coast of Wester Ross. In the modern era this part of Skye retains a strong Gaelic identity with 61 per cent of the local population recorded as speaking the language in 2001. In September 2010,Comunn na Gàidhlig named Staffin as their "Gaelic Community of the Year", in the first year this competition has run. In 2011 it was reported that Staffin Island may be the last in Scotland where the old tradition of having cattle swim between grazings is still carried out. Crofter Iain MacDonald, who used to swim with the animals, now uses a boat to encourage them to swim from Staffin Island to Skye in early spring and back again in October.

Best enlarged

Eilean Flodigarry - Isle of Skye

Staffin (Scottish Gaelic: Stafain) is a district with the Gaelic name An Taobh Sear, which translates as 'the East Side', on the northeast coast of the Trotternish peninsula of the island of Skye. It is located on the A855 road about 17 miles (27 km) north of Portree and is overlooked by the Trotternish Ridge with the famous rock formations of The Storrand the Quirang. The district comprises 23 townships made up of, from south to north, Rigg, Tote, Lealt, Lonfearn, Grealin, Breackry, Cul-nan-cnoc, Bhaltos, Raiseburgh, Ellishader, Garafad, Clachan, Garros, Marrishader, Maligar, Stenscholl, Brogaig, Sartle, Glasphein, Digg, Dunan, Flodigarry and Greap. The Kilmartin River runs northwards through the village. From where it reaches the sea a rocky shore leads east to a slipway at An Corran. Here a local resident found a slab bearing a dinosaur track, probably made by a small ornithopod. Experts subsequently found more dinosaur prints of up to 50 cm, the largest found in Scotland, made by a creature similar to Megalosaurus. At about 160 million years old they are the youngest dinosaur remains to be found in Scotland. A Mesolithic hunter-gatherer site dating to the 7th millennium BC at An Corran is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Scotland. Its occupation is probably linked to that of the rock shelter at Sand, Applecross on the coast of Wester Ross. In the modern era this part of Skye retains a strong Gaelic identity with 61 per cent of the local population recorded as speaking the language in 2001. In September 2010,Comunn na Gàidhlig named Staffin as their "Gaelic Community of the Year", in the first year this competition has run. In 2011 it was reported that Staffin Island may be the last in Scotland where the old tradition of having cattle swim between grazings is still carried out. Crofter Iain MacDonald, who used to swim with the animals, now uses a boat to encourage them to swim from Staffin Island to Skye in early spring and back again in October.

Best enlarged The Quiraing (in Gaelic: A' Chuith-Raing) is a landslip on the eastern face of Meall na Suiramach, the northernmost summit of the Trotternish on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The whole of the Trotternish Ridge escarpment was formed by a great series of landslips; the Quiraing is the only part of the slip still moving, the road at its base, near Flodigarry, requires repairs each year. The name Quiraing comes from Old Norse 'Kví Rand', which means "Round Fold".