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Cuillins
Cuillins is a mountain range located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It is a popular destination for hikers and climbers due to its rugged terrain and stunning views. However, it is also a haven for photographers looking to capture the beauty of the Scottish landscape. The Cuillins offer a variety of photography locations, including the Fairy Pools, which are crystal clear pools of water surrounded by dramatic mountains, and the Old Man of Storr, a towering rock formation that is a popular spot for sunrise and sunset photography. Other notable locations include the Quiraing, a unique geological formation with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, and the Talisker Bay, a picturesque beach with black sand and dramatic cliffs.
Sgurr na Stri has been on my bucket list for a few years, and here's why.
Sgurr na Stri is the small arrow head shaped peak to the right of the main Cuillin ridge when viewed across the bay from Elgol on the Isle of Skye. It is only 494 metres high, which is mere 59 metres (193 feet) higher than dear old Worcestershire Beacon back home in the Malvern Hills. However, as you can see it has some truly spectacular neighbours.
The day had not started in a very promising way, as the shot of the boats in Kentra Bay shows, but amazingly enough the weather perked up when I got to Skye - and it's not often you can say that! It was a good walk in from Kilmarie on the Elgol Road, up over the Am Mam pass and down to the remote settlement at Camasunary. From there Monty and I crossed a little river, the Abhainn Camas Fhionnairigh, and then climbed steeply over rough ground into the coire. Topping out you get tantalising glimpses of what is to come, and also back towards Blaven. I knew were close to the summit as we walked up a groove, and then we turned the last corner ...and was confronted with this. I couldn't help myself and let out a very audible '@@@@ me!!!', much to the amusement of a young Austrian couple who were already at the summit. In fact we were the only three people there, taking it in what has to be one of the finest views in these Isles. I've been climbing hills in England, Scotland and Wales for more than 40 years, and have seen many many stunning views - its why I keep doing it. However, I can honestly say there are few more breathtaking views than this - I just hope I have done it at least some justice.
For the technically minded this is a panorama made up of 9 vertical shots stitched together - so yes I had to lug a tripod up here.
The cloud did cling to the top of the ridge, so it looks like I'll just have to go back for another go!
I would recommend going L for large, let it fill yout screen.
Nestling in the shadow of the mountains near Sligachan on the Isle Of Skye, this house with it's little garden looks like an green oasis in a desert...
from Sgurr na Stri, Isle of Skye
Black Cuillin Ridge Isle of Skye
This image was an example of when 16mm on FF or 10mm on crop sensor wasn't enough! To get to this location, it's a...
A chunk of Cuillin from Coire Lagan given the Silver Efex treatment. Sgurr Dearg round to Sgurr Sgumain. I went up wanting still, tranquil...
Somewhere on Skye. I can't remember exactly where. I'm pretty sure this is just off the Dunvegan road though looking back at the mountains not far...
Clouds building over the Cuillin mountain range on the Isle Of Skye.
Given my exile from the hills I have started reading Mountaineering in Scotland by W.H.Murray. This classic of the genre was written on toilet roll...
This place is just ridiculously good! It had been on my bucket list of places to visit for years, but I finally made it with my little dog Monty in 2019. There are few viewpoints as good as this in the UK, and it is well worth the long walk to get here.
Sgurr na Stri is the small arrow head shaped peak to the right of the main Cuillin ridge when viewed across the bay from Elgol on the Isle of Skye. It is only 494 metres high, which is mere 59 metres (193 feet) higher than dear old Worcestershire Beacon back home in the Malvern Hills. However, as you can see it has some truly spectacular neighbours.
..And the best of all? There were only three people (including me) and my dog there to see it.
The Red Cuillin Mountains of the Isle of Skye are saturated in very late afternoon sunlight as Winter draws to a close.
from Sgurr na Stri, Isle of Skye
The snow capped Cuillins on the Isle Of Skye settling in for winter last November.
A view from Blaven (Bla Bheinn) on the Isle Of Skye. Blaven is an outlier to the Black Cuillins.
This is a view from Blaven (Bla Bheinn) on the Isle Of Skye. It is found on the edge of the Cuillins.
Coire Lagan in colour this time
It had been probably been about 25 years since I had last visited the magical Isle of Skye and Blaven had always been long dreamt about and aspired...
Panorama stitched from four exposures taken from the summit of Bruach na Frithe on the Isle of Skye. When I first took an interest in the highlands...
Several folk seem to be doing a bit of archive mining at the moment, so if you can't beat them.... This has to be one of the best viewpoints in Scotland - on Sgurr na Stri, looking across Loch Coruisk to the Black Cuillin of Skye.
Isle of Skye
The magnificent Cuillin under cloud on the Isle Of Skye. This is a view heading south from Portree approaching Sligachan.
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Near Sligachan on the Isle Of Skye the road sweeps beside the majestic, snow dusted mountains and my heart beats that little bit faster.
A view of Skye with the snowy Cuillins buried under cloud.
A view from half way up Blaven (Bla Bheinn) on the Isle Of Skye looking over Loch Slapin.
An oldie, from 2014 when I dragged myself up a chunk of Cuillin. The view from Sgurr na Banachdich over to Coire Lagan.
Thanks to all Phoide contributors to Cuillins!
Most notably Clive Griffiths.