Joel Varty
A single peak of the Cuillin rising green from the moor at Glen Sligachan
Series: Scotland Hiking Expedition

Day Six: Glen Sligachan, the Giants, and Goodbye to Skye

Travelphotography

Day Six of the Scotland trip. Hiking Glen Sligachan and the Black Cuillin on the Isle of Skye, then south through the Highlands to Perthshire.

Another lovely day, although rainy and wet on the Isle of Skye. This time we hiked in a valley with mountains on either side of us.

Glen Sligachan opening out ahead, mountains rising on either side, the kind of grey weather Skye lays on
Glen Sligachan opening out ahead, mountains rising on either side, the kind of grey weather Skye lays on

We started at Sligachan, where the Black Cuillin meets the western seaboard. The old stone bridge crosses the lively River Sligachan beside the trailhead, and the path runs up Glen Sligachan past the climbers' statue, then over the Allt Dearg Mor into the heart of the range.

Leaving Sligachan past the climbers' statue, the old arched stone bridge over the river on the right and the Black Cuillin lost in cloud beyond
Leaving Sligachan past the climbers' statue, the old arched stone bridge over the river on the right and the Black Cuillin lost in cloud beyond

We hoped for the sun to peek through the clouds, and it might have done so for a moment or two, I failed to capture it on camera.

A panorama looking up the glen, the Allt Dearg Mor running through the stones, rain rolling in over the peaks
A panorama looking up the glen, the Allt Dearg Mor running through the stones, rain rolling in over the peaks

I'm super grateful to have seen this place though, you really get to put your own life in perspective when you wander among the giants.

The Black Cuillin proper, locked in cloud, the kind of moody you only get on Skye
The Black Cuillin proper, locked in cloud, the kind of moody you only get on Skye

About six to seven miles, three to four hours, around six hundred feet of climb. The Sligachan Hotel by the trailhead apparently keeps one of the largest whisky collections in Scotland, in case I needed another reason to come back.

On the way, the scenery was truly sublime, including a glimpse of the Dalwhinnie Distillery, one of the first single malt scotches I'd ever had, and one of my many favourites.

A break in the clouds dropping a beam of light on the hills as we drove
A break in the clouds dropping a beam of light on the hills as we drove
The white buildings of Dalwhinnie Distillery from the road, an old favourite
The white buildings of Dalwhinnie Distillery from the road, an old favourite

In the afternoon, we drove to our next hotel, an absolutely gorgeous castle hotel.

Tonight it's dinner in town with a couple of my new friends!

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