Looming over the stark beauty of the Isle of Skye‘s northern Trotternish Peninsula, the Old Man of Storr is an iconic pinnacle of rock that has captured the imaginations of residents and travelers for centuries. Rising to a height of 50m (160 ft), this distinctive landmark was formed through a fascinating interplay of volcanic activity, glacial movement, and gradual erosion over millennia.
Geologic Origins
The story of the Old Man of Storr begins around 65 million years ago, during the Paleocene epoch, as the ancient continents split apart and the Atlantic Ocean began to form. Volcanic activity along the rifting margin resulted in lava erupting up through fissures and cracks in the Earth‘s surface, gradually accumulating and cooling into multiple layers of basalt rock.
These eruptions continued into the Eocene epoch until around 23 million years ago, building up the tabular mountains and sea cliffs that characterize much of Skye‘s dramatic scenery today. In fact, some of the rocks exposed on the Trotternish Peninsula are among the oldest in Scotland, with origins nearly 3 billion years ago in the Precambrian.
The Storr, a 719m (2,358 ft) peak that marks the highest point along the Trotternish Ridge, and the surrounding clan of rocky spires were created much more recently. At the end of the last Ice Age around 10,000 years ago, the immense weight of retreating glaciers caused the basalt lava to fracture and slip, creating cliffs and leaving behind the iconic pinnacles we see today. The name "Storr" itself comes from the Old Norse word "Stórr," meaning "big" or "great."
The Old Man Takes Shape
While the bulk of the Trotternish Ridge is composed of sturdy, erosion-resistant basalt, the material around the base of the pinnacles is softer and more easily weathered. Over thousands of years, the relentless forces of wind, rain, and frost have eaten away at this weaker rock, causing the surrounding cliffs to slowly recede while the harder pinnacles remain defiantly intact.
It‘s through this process that the Old Man of Storr acquired its striking, 50m (160 ft) tall form, appearing almost as though a wizened old man‘s head and shoulders are poking up through the surface of the ridge. The "Old Man" moniker comes from this distinctive anthropomorphic silhouette, which can be seen for miles around and has become one of the most photographed landscapes in all of Europe.
Human History
While the Isle of Skye has been inhabited since Mesolithic times over 8,000 years ago, the earliest archeological evidence of human activity around the Old Man of Storr comes from the remains of an ancient fort or dun atop the rocky pinnacle. This strategically significant location would have provided an easily defensible position with commanding views over the Sound of Raasay.
According to local folklore, the Old Man of Storr was a giant who lived among the Trotternish ridges and was buried with his fingers sticking out of the ground, creating the jagged rock formations. Other legends tell of a brownie – a type of Scottish hobgoblin – who was turned to stone by a powerful witch and became the Old Man.
The first recorded ascent of the Old Man pinnacle was made in 1955 by the renowned mountaineers Don Whillans and James Barber. Since then, the spire has become a popular challenge for rock climbers, though the brittle and loose nature of the volcanic rock demands great skill and caution to scale.
Visiting the Old Man
Today, the Old Man of Storr is one of the most popular and recognizable natural attractions on the Isle of Skye, drawing visitors from around the globe. The trailhead is located at a small carpark just off the A855 road, about 6.8 miles (11 km) north of the island‘s main town of Portree.
The 4.5 km (2.8 mile) roundtrip hike to the base of the pinnacle and back typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, with an elevation gain of 288m (944 ft). The well-maintained trail can be steep and rocky in sections, but rewards hikers with incredible views over the Sound of Raasay and the distant Scottish mainland.
For a more immersive experience, ambitious hikers can embark on the 87 km (54 mile) long-distance Skye Trail, which winds its way up the Trotternish Ridge past the Old Man before crossing most of the island on its way from Broadford to Rubha Hunish in the far north.
Beyond its popularity as a hiking destination, the Old Man has become a highly sought-after filming location, appearing in dozens of movies, TV shows, music videos and commercials over the years. Its otherworldly, almost mythical appearance has graced the likes of Prometheus, The Wicker Man, Stardust, Snow White and the Huntsman, 47 Ronin, and many others.
The site falls within the Trotternish National Scenic Area, and is protected and managed by the John Muir Trust, a Scottish charity dedicated to preserving wild landscapes for the benefit of people and nature. Their efforts help ensure responsible access and aim to minimize the impacts of tourism on this fragile environment.
A Timeless Symbol
In its half-million or so years presiding over the Isle of Skye, the Old Man of Storr has borne witness to profound change. It has watched ice ages reshape the land, human civilization take root and evolve, and the unstoppable forces of nature slowly sculpt its stone face. Through it all, this remarkable pinnacle has endured as a silent sentinel, an ancient grandfather figure calmly surveying the passage of ages from its lofty perch.
To gaze upon the Old Man‘s stony countenance is to be humbled by the vast geologic timescales that have shaped our world. It invites us to ponder our small and fleeting place in the grand tapestry of Earth‘s history, and to marvel at the raw beauty and power of the natural forces that sculpt and define the land. In the Old Man of Storr, we find both a mirror to our own mortality and an icon of nature‘s timeless majesty – a steadfast symbol of permanence in an ever-changing world.
