Quiraing Skye is one of the most famous views on the Isle of Skye Scotland. A short drive takes you up to the Trotternish ridge and the Quiraing Mountain Pass where you discover stunning mountains, dramatic rock formations, small lochs and if lucky a view all the way to the seashore. Here is my guide to help you plan your visit.
Quiraing Mountain Pass View
With the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing is on of the top points of interest of the Trotternish landslide and of the isle of Skye.
It offers one of the best views of the Island all the way to the sea on a clear day.
And before you keep reading this article, you might want to check out the pronunciation of Quiraing to make the reading easier. You can listen to it here.
Quiraing Skye Video
Let's start with a short video of Quiraing Isle of Skye : have a brief look at the drive and the view from the ridge.
PLANNING TIPS - Quiraing Isle of Skye
How to get to Quiraing Skye - Where is the Quiraing view?
- When Coming from Portree, drive past Staffin and you will find a road to the left
- The drive to the parking is on a single lane road (with passing places) and takes 8 minutes.
- Be careful, there may be sheep on the road
- You can also come from Uig but the drive on a single lane road will be longer
- The GPS coordinates of this place as well as its identification on practical maps is available on both Travel Guide eBooks: The Road Trip Guide Scotland and The Road Trip Guide: Edinburgh to Skye
Admiring the Quiraing View
- No facilities
- You can walk around on both side of the road - so plan 15min to a couple of hours...
- The road may be closed in Winter
- The Quiraing walk starts there (check at the end of this post)
Driving to Quiraing Skye
After Staffin, the turn is clearly indicated and the view behind the road sign is very promising 🙂
The single lane road is in good condition and has many passing places with proper visibility. Be careful, as you will see in the next paragraph the views of the Trotternish ridge are stunning and might distract you from traffic.
Once you reach the climbing part of the road, slow down. There are no more passing places until almost the top so check if cars are coming down.
Quiraing Car park
Don't stop at the first small area that looks like a parking. Drive to the top and you will find a bigger car park. However note that it was full end of May so will definitively be full in Summer during the day...
Views of Trotternish Ridge from the drive
On the way to the Quiraing Skye viewpoint, the views are already impressive with the Trotternish ridge on both sides.
According to AGU, this impressive ridge is the result of thick layers of basalt overlying weak sediments. from the Jurassic. The weight triggers faults creating large landslides. Movements continue today but at a low rate.
As I mentioned before, be careful, the sheep are roaming free.
Stunning shapes!
Quiraing Viewpoint (Cuith-Raing)
After parking, it is time to explore and discover one of the most famous views in Scotland. As you can see in the sign below, the local version of the name is Cuith-Raing and I have no idea how to pronounce it.
As advertised, the view is breathtaking. Especially as I was lucky to discover it with the sun. I was able to see all the way to the sea. But I will let my Quiraing Skye pictures tell you all about it:
The Quiraing Walk
If you have some time to spare at Quiraing Isle of Skye, why not go for a walk. TheQuiraing walk loop is a pleasure for geologist, photographer and everyone who likes to be blown away 🙂
This is a 7 km loop that requires 3 hours of walking (if not stopping). It is rated as hard for technicality. Ascent is 340m. It will take you near cliffs so do not hike when windy or with low visibility.
It will take you to pinnacles, plateaus and views of the landslides.
You could see crazy shapes. For photos check some User Reports on the walk description page.
Want to see more of SCOTLAND?
Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Scotland Destination Guide.
Beautiful view, don't you think?
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