Introduction to The Storr
Welcome to the Old Man of Storr. This short audio guide takes you through the history and legends of this 60-million-year-old basalt formation. Rising 49 meters from the base, this iconic sight offers breathtaking views and a steady, steep rewarding climb. Discover the origins of its name, the folklore of giants and faeries, and the massive geological forces that shaped it.
Storr Folklore
TranscriptThe Origins of Storrs name is hard to pin down definitively but is believed to derive from the Old Norse word meaning ‘Big’ or ‘Great'. In Gaelic, the pinnacle is known as Bodach an Stòrr, literally translating to Old Man of Storr. Locally Bodach, is often used as an affectionate or cheeky insult, for a grumpy old man. So when you get home you might call your dad an ‘Old Bodach’.Legend has it that these jagged rocks weren't always silent guardians of the land.Giants once roamed freely in the highlands and on Skye. You might have seen the standing stones dotted around the island, or heard of the stone circles elsewhere. Many people believe they were built by ancient people. But the truth may in fact be far stranger.The standing stone circles were not markers or religious monuments as thought by unimaginative academics. They were the supports for a giant's cooking pot, strong enough to hold a bubbling stew of whole venison with a crackling fire beneath.Legend says those same giants shaped Skye itself. Clashing in titanic battles, their mighty swords carved the land, leaving the jagged peaks of the Black Cuillin to the south. It was after such a battle that the giant Storr fell, slain where you now stand.Over thousands of years, the wilderness has swallowed him up, turning him to stone, leaving only his thumb and forefingers poking up above the hillside.This landscape also holds a faerie tale written into the stone itself. This story of the Faeries speaks volumes about their nature: they are both benevolent helpers and mischievous tricksters.A loving couple once got married at the base of these cliffs and began a lifelong ritual. Every day, their love drew them back to the same spot. They'd watch the sunrise over the horizon, their hearts full. A Trotternish faerie would see them make the same trip day after day.Seasons turned to years, softening the couple's steps but not their devotion. Every day the loving couple would make this trip. They grew old together, until one day the wife could no longer make her way up the steep path. Still deeply in love the husband carried his wife on his back to reach the place below the cliffs. But even his strength began to wane.One morning, the Trotternish faerie saw only the husband, struggling alone. Saddened the faerie ventured out to meet the husband, its voice barely a rustle of the heather."Where is your wife?" the faerie asked.The man, startled, caught his breath. "We have grown old together, but I can no longer bring her."The faerie paused, then with a glint in its eye, said "If you bring your wife here tomorrow, I can make it so that you can be with her here every day" The man, wary of faerie tricks but desperate to see his love's face in their special place once again, agreed.He carried her the next dawn to their favourite spot where the faerie once again appeared. Then, with a whirl of air and an almost silent flash the couple were gone. Where they stood now rise two stone pinnacles – one towering and strong, the other leaning gently. Some say it’s a reminder of their enduring love. Others warn that it’s the price of faerie bargains. Now - as the sun rises, bathing the rocks in gold, one thing is certain; the man and his wife now spend eternity together at Storr enjoying the sunrise over Scotland and the Cuillin.Who would you spend eternity on Skye with? Why not tell them?
Storr Geology
TranscriptThe Old Man of Storr marks the southern edge of the Trotternish Ridge. This ancient spine of rock stretches 30 kilometres to the island's northern tip at Flodigarry, making it the UK's longest continuous ridge. The Trotternish Ridge is the foundation for Skye's fantastical landscapes – it’s no wonder filmmakers like Neil Gaiman, Ridley Scott, and Steven Spielberg chose Trotternish as a backdrop for their otherworldly visions.The Ridge you now stand beneath is a product of relentless geological forces. The Top Layers of Rock that make up the cliff face were once vast molten lava fields that solidified into hardened basalt around 60 million years ago. These top layers of basalt exert immense pressure on the softer underlying sedimentary layers of sandstone.This weight from above compacts and breaks down the softer rock layers below, causing them to disintegrate. This breakdown results in landslides with the earth shifting and slipping, forming the striking slopes, cliff faces and gullies of the Trotternish Ridge that we see today.The Old Man of Storr Pinnacle was formed by this slipping of land. The pinnacle is the last remaining remnant of a much larger rock formation that has gradually eroded over millions of years.The Storr pinnacle as we know it today was sculpted from the basalt layers by a natural process known as periglacial decompressive spalling. This term might sound complex, but it simply refers to the way the rock has fractured and broken away from the main formation. Imagine the freeze-thaw cycle, where water seeps into the cracks of the rock, freezes, expands, and then thaws, gradually prying the rock apart over glacial ages.In short - Volcanic rock exerted immense pressure, squeezing down on softer rock layers below. This relentless power caused the softer layers to buckle and give way, creating the ridge and cliff we see today. Over millennia, glaciers engulfed the landscape, chipping and sculpting the dramatic rock formations that now define the region.
Unusual Rock Patterns
TranscriptGuides on Skye are often asked about white speckles decorating the rocks along the path, resembling delicate splashes of paint – that's lichen. Its presence is a telltale sign of Skye's pristine air. Lichen thrives in cool, damp places untouched by pollution, making it a sensitive indicator of environmental health. This fascinating organism is a partnership between a fungus and algae. They work together in a mutually beneficial relationship: the fungus provides structure and protection, while the algae creates food through photosynthesis.Further up the path, you might notice a different kind of white speckle on the rocks, these are white mineral deposits known as zeolites.Imagine volcanic rock, frozen in time millions of years ago. When the lava cooled, it trapped tiny gas bubbles, leaving the rock full of holes like a natural honeycomb. These bubbles, called vesicles, didn't remain empty for long. Over countless years, mineral-rich water seeped through the porous rock, gradually depositing minerals within those spaces. Those minerals are the zeolites you can see and touch today.Each tiny speckle is a record of water slowly interacting with rock, transforming it over immense periods. As you touch the rock, imagine that slow, steady change – the invisible flow of mineral-rich water leaving its mark, creating these unique and beautiful formations.
The Storr Hoard
In January 1891, a discovery was made on the Isle of Skye, near the Storr Rock.Initially, two silver coins were unearthed, prompting a thorough investigation that would soon reveal a treasure of historical significance. These weren't just unusual souvenirs – several of these silver coins originated in the Islamic heartlands of central Asia. The uncovered hoard vividly illustrates the Vikings' role in Skye, featuring 106 coins and 23 silver items, such as jewellery pieces and ingots. This selection reveals a complex network of trade, raiding, and interaction that defined the Viking Era.The coins found in this hoard cover a fascinating time – from 892 AD to 942 AD, a little over 50 years. Many of the coins are Anglo-Saxon, minted during the reigns of powerful figures like King Edward the Elder and Plegmund, the Archbishop of Canterbury. This gives us valuable insights into the complex world of politics and religion during that period.More intriguingly, are the coins minted in far-off lands such as Samarkand and Esh-Shash, known today as Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Samarkand is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia and is renowned for its central role on the Silk Road, which connected the trade routes between East and West.These coins date back to the rulers of the Persian Empire. Their presence in a Storr hoard underscores the extensive trade networks that linked the Celtic Viking world with the Islamic civilisations of Central Asia.Skye's link to central Asia may seem surprising, but it is literally woven into a famous legend: the Fairy Flag of the MacLeods which you can see at Dunvegan Castle. The story goes that a MacLeod chieftain married a fairy woman. After a year, she returned to her realm, leaving him a magical flag. This flag, when unfurled in battle, was said to offer the MacLeod clan extraordinary protection.Although you may not believe the origin story - the flag itself is real. Studies on the fabric suggest the silk used to make the flag originated in Rhodes or Syria.The tales of faeries returning to distant lands might have been inspired by connections with the East. Did these people bring new magic from the East with them – hidden in the unknown knowledge or rituals that made their way along the Silk Road?This wasn't just about trade; ideas and beliefs flowed too, giving rise to tales that continue to permeate through the local legends and folklore. Isn’t it incredible that these 1000 year coins from Persia somehow made their way to the foot of the old man of Storr on Skye. Imagine the journey they went on, and the people who once held them.They can now be viewed in the National Museum of Scotland.
The Old Man of Storr
Welcome to this breathtaking viewpoint of the Old Man of Storr. Take a moment, and breathe in the pristine air. Well done for making it this far.Whilst you are up here we’d like to point out a few things.Let's start by looking towards the south. That’s to the right if you are facing the sea. Do you see the dramatic peaks rising in the distance? Those are the Black Cuillin Mountains, dominating the skyline above the glistening waters of Loch Fada. The town of Portree is between you and the Cuillin, it's hidden by the rugged landscape.Look to the east, out to sea. These waters are known as the Sound of Raasay. Beyond them lies the Isle of Raasay, a small and beautiful island that's about the size of Manhattan Island – though far less crowded, with a community of only 160 residents. If you enjoy whisky, you might like to know that Raasay boasts a fantastic distillery. What sets them apart is that they work with local farmers to grow their key ingredient - barley, a unique practice in the world of distilling. You can reach Raasay via a short ferry ride from Sconser, not far from the Black Cuillin. It's a truly special place to explore while you're visiting Skye.And those tiny white specks on the Island furthest to the left - those are the only two houses on the even more remote island of Rona. You can rent a cottage on Rona for a week's stay, and you will be taken there by boat from Portree. It’s the perfect place to be left alone with a few books spending a week in complete tranquillity!Beyond Raasay, you can see the faint outline of the Scottish mainland. That's the remote and wild Applecross peninsula – a true haven for nature enthusiasts. Looking north, the sky and sea meet on the horizon. Imagine sailing straight ahead – you'd pass the Faroe Islands and Greenland, and after 3,560 miles of sailing your first landfall would be the far eastern coast of Russia, near Alaska! It's a reminder that our flat maps don't always reflect the true shape and distances of the world.We hope you enjoyed these insights into the area, if you have time you might want to explore the paths and trails you see around you before heading back down the hill.If you’ve found this guide interesting and would like more detail on some of the topics covered, head over to our history of Skye section when you can. Thanks.
