map of area

walks in skye

Sgurr Dearg

Cuillin Ridge

Sea of the Hebrides

Location of Skye

Skye is Scotland's largest Island and is located off the west coast of Scotland.   Access to the Island is by a toll free bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin.   There was a ferry that ran, during the summer months, from Glenelg to Kylerhea but it is up for sale.   Due to the Skye Bridge now being toll free it is unlikely that the ferry will run again.

Great Stone Chute

Inaccessible Pinnacle

Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh

Mountains of Skye

The Black Cuillin is the toughest group of mountains you will experience in Britain.   It consists mainly of gabbro rock but has some lavas mixed in.   It is very rough with lots of loose and polished rock and needs extreme care at all times.   Navigation is a problem along the contorted ridge and the compass may not be accurate at a few locations.   The use of a Harvey's map is recommended for this area.

The classic walk, although a few are known to run it, is to complete a traverse of the Black Cuillin from Gars-bheinn to Sgurr nan Gillean.   This is not an undertaking to be taken lightly as a high percentage of walkers/climbers fail to complete the ridge for various reasons including not realising how tough this challenge is.

For several Munro Baggers the thought of climbing the Cuillin Munros is a nightmare and puts them off completing their Munro challenge.   However you should not expect on your first visit to bag all eleven Munros.   Take your time, make several visits and gain experience and knowledge of the area.   One of the easier Munros is Blaven so go and climb it first.   Bruach na Frithe is another easier Cuillin Munro.

This is actually how I first experience the Cuillin Munros, but after a couple of visits I decided that I would go with a guide and settled for a week's guiding with Martin Moran Mountaineering. (see below)   I had a terrific week in good weather and managed all the Munros repeating the ones I had done.  

Unless you are a climber or have a climbing friend, you will need assistance of a guide to climb the The Inaccessible Pinnacle, the highest point on Sgurr Dearg.   A number of my clients have used George Yeomans (see below) and I would therefore recommend him to guide you on these Munros.

It is not necessary to climb the eleven Munros to enjoy the atmosphere and wonderful scenery.   Take a boat trip from Elgol across Loch Scavaig and walk round Loch Coruisk.   Pick a good day because not only is the boat trip a great way of approaching the Black Cuillin but the views are awesome.

For the Corbett Bagger there are two mountains to climb on the Red Cuillin namely Garbh Bheinn and Glamaig.   However the Red Cuillin do not have the same difficulties as encountered on the Balck Cuillin.

There are also a number of Grahams on the Island, from Hartaval and The Storr in the Trotternish peninsula to Ben Aslak near Kylerhea.

From the above you will note that there is plenty of enjoyment to be had from a visit to the mountains of Skye whether or not you want to tackle the Black Cuillin Ridge. 

Beinn Dearg & Glamaig

Loch Scavaig

Sgurr nan Gillean

Additional Information

As said above I did my first round of the Skye Munros with Martin Moran Mountaineering.    His address is - www.moran-mountain.co.uk.

Clients who have done the Skye Munros recommend George Yeomans at www.guidingonskye.co.uk. In 2007 I joined a couple of George's ascents of the Cuillin Munros and can highly recommend his guiding skills and professionalism. So if you want to do the Skye Munros book up with George as early as possible as his guiding services are in demand.

For an independent guide to the best walking routes on Skye, from the classic routes to hidden gems not found in any guidebook see www.skyewalk.co.uk.

Inner Sound & Glamaig

Am Bastier & Bhasteir Tooth

Bla Bheinn

top of page