TROTTERNISH PENINSULA

Visitors to Skye who are fascinated by interesting geological formations should be sure to include the Trotternish Peninsula, an area of land 20 miles long and 8 miles wide to the north of Portree. The 'backbone' of the peninsula is the Trotternish Ridge, an inland cliff running through the centre of the peninsula, while other geological features include pillars and pinnacles of rock such as the Quiraing complex between Staffin and Uig and the Old Man of Storr, and a number of natural arches and waterfalls.

Towards the north of the east coast of the peninsula is Staffin, on Staffin Bay, with Staffin Island lying just offshore. It was near to here that dinosaur prints were discovered by a local resident, with more being discovered subsequently by experts in the field. At Kilmuir on the west coast, there is a monument to Flora MacDonald, "Preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart" in the cemetery. Also on the west coast is the peninsula's main village, Uig, set on a beautiful bay and home to the Isle of Skye Brewery. There is also a ferry service from here to the Outer Isles. Near Uig is a gorgeous little valley called the Fairy Glen, characterised by grassy, cone-shaped hills.

Map of the area.

Trotternish Sea Cliffs - geograph.org.uk - 12681. Photo by Mick Garratt, via Wikimedia Commons.

© 1998 Mick Garratt, via Wikimedia Commons