Weather/Conditions: Mixed conditions - all a bit cool and grey!
Distance/Ascent/Time: 4.5km / 350m / c. 1h 40m
Accompanying: Struan

Struan and I were on the Isle of Skye with the main intention of doing the Cuillin Traverse. Our first weather window was the following day, the 13th, but we had the 12th on Skye free. I had a ferry to Harris booked for the 14th - thus a short window where Struan and I could give the Ridge a good shot.

To be honest, I'll remember this trip for the implosion of plans. We had the 12th free to do whatever we felt, 'to relax'. But in another way, the grey weather and lack of opportunity to get up on the ridge wasn't appreciated. It would have been much better to be able to go straight on.

Instead, we headed up to the north of the Trotternish and walked into the Quiraing. This was somewhere I'd never been before - the formation here, and the architecture was just stunning. I was particularly caught by the Needle, one great blade of rock. I was even more impressed to subsequently learn in the guidebook that it had been climbed at E2 5a (!).

Struan headed off up to the Table, and I cut back down to see the Prison, scrambling up to the top, taking a quick panorama. I caught sight of Struan again on the approach path, caught up with him and we headed back to the car. From there we took a drive right around the north of the island before heading back to Sligachan.

360° Panoramas

The Prison (Quiraing)