Scotland Guide
Skye and the Western Isles
The Cuillin
For many people, the Cuillin, whose sharp snowcapped peaks rise mirage-like from the flatness of the surrounding terrain, are the raison d'être for a visit to Skye. When the clouds finally disperse, they are the dominating feature of the island, visible from every other peninsula. There are basically three approaches to the Cuillin: from the south, by foot or by boat from Elgol; from the Sligachan Hotel to the north; or from Glen Brittle to the west of the mountains. The second is one of the most popular routes, dividing as it does the granite of the round-topped RedHills (sometimes known as the Red Cuillin) to the east from the dark, coarse-grained jagged-edged gabbro of the real Cuillin (also known as the Black Cuillin) to the west. With some twenty Munros between them, these are mountains to be taken seriously, and many routes through the Cuillin are for experienced climbers only.