Today we travel to the small town of Portree, on the Scottish Isle of Skye. Here is one of the geological formations most admired by photography lovers and by those who love hiking: the Old Man of Storr. This natural monolith is the most prominent peak of Storr Mountain on the Trotternish Peninsula.
A natural setting that has served to inspire great artists and as the setting for the greatest Hollywood hits, the Old Man of Storr is surrounded by an indescribable natural setting and a story that will make us dream of times when fairies and giants walked among the trees. men.
The Legends of the Old Man of Storr
For many travelers, Scotland is a country of enchanted corners where legends are born. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Old Man of Storr does not have one, but several mythical stories about his origin of him.
One of the best-known tells the story of a giant who lived on the Trotternish peninsula. He decided to spend his last moments lying on these lands. After his death, he was left only a finger uncovered by the earth, and this is today in our time the peak known as the Old Man of Storr, in Scotland’s home league.
Another of the popular legends that talk about this rock formation says that it was the work of giants, specifically a married couple. These were turned into what we now know as the Storr Mountains by being turned to stone by their enemies.
However, many of the inhabitants of the Isle of Skye believe that the origin of this place is closely related to fairies. One of these stories tells us about a well-known local named O’Sheen, who saved the life of a fairy and never asked for anything in return. After the passing of the years and with the death of O’Sheen, the fairy, who still felt indebted to the human, decided to honor him by carving two high mountains on the island.
The fairies, always chaotic and too playful, are responsible for another version of the creation of this fantastic site. In this latest story, they deceive a married couple who decided to cross the mountains with a spell that turned them into rock, the two pillars that today mark this unique landscape of Scottish lands.
Information and interesting facts about Storr
We travel up the Trotternish Peninsula to reach one of Scotland’s most prized scenic areas. Storr Mountain and its most characteristic peak, the Old Man of Storr, are one of the biggest tourist attractions on the Isle of Skye.
These mountains have a height that exceeds 700 meters. Specifically, the Old Man of Storr is 50 meters tall and receives this curious name due to its resemblance to the figure of an older man. A curious fact is that the first to climb it was Don Whillans, a mountaineer who loved landscapes and crowned it in 1955.
In the same way, if we have traveled here, we recommend completing the visit with other points of interest near the area. One of them is known as La Aguja or Needle Rock, another stone pinnacle that takes its name from its sharp shape.
We can also visit what is known as “The Sanctuary”, a formation of small pinnacles, which is very close to the Old Man of Storr. In addition, we will have the opportunity to go up to a viewpoint located more than 500 meters high from where we will be able to see one of the best panoramic views of the area.
Tips for doing the Old Man of Storr route
It is advisable to know that this route, although it is not very complicated, does require a minimum level of physical fitness, so it is advisable to go psyched up and prepared. In addition, within the route, there are quite steep areas where it is necessary to know where you are stepping to avoid accidents.
There is no best time to do the route, it is simply a matter of taste. Of course, we recommend going on a clear day, as long as the Scottish weather allows us, to avoid rain. Of course, as for what to take with us, there are some things to take into account. The most important thing is to have flexible footwear that supports the ankles well. In addition, it is also not superfluous to bring waterproof clothing, a backpack, and hiking poles to be more comfortable during the tour.
Carrying out the complete route will not take us more than an hour and a half, but we recommend stopping along the way. It is very valuable to enjoy this experience to the maximum to remember it without having to take photographs of every corner of the Old Man of Storr.
Tags: Old Man of Storr, Tips For Old Man of Storr
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