| Glamaig and Sconser (picture by Peter Watts) |  |
Glamaig and Sconser
Glamaig and Sconser
Panorama from a viewpoint overlooking the Sound of Raasay and the southern, more populated Island of Rassay from above to the nine hole golf course near Sconser on Skye. In this panoramic image Glamaig, one of the Red Hills or Red Cuillin of Skye, rises behind the parked cars to a height of 775m. Behind this, further up the A87 road, is the hill of Beinn Dearg Mhor (meaning "hill red big" in Gaelic, aptly descriptive and simple). Just to the right of Raasay Island is Meall a' Mhaoil (or "Moll"), a small rise of 284m and site of a small quarry - the access road to which allows otherwise inaccessible views back across Broadford Bay, towards Raasay, the small isles and the mainland and this access road circles the tip of the westernmost headland visible at Breakish Beach.From here the view continues north up the coastline of Skye. The next headland, on the other side of Loch Sligachan, is the location of the 1882 Battle of Braes. Behind this rises Benn Tianavaig (413m) shown here in shadow. Behind this, the beginning of the dramatic Trotternish Ridge, the northern most peninsula of Skye rising above Portree towards Staffin, Floddigarry, the unusual mountain and jagged rock formation Quiraing round to Uig, the ferry terminus for the Western Isles of Lewis, Harris and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, across the Minch.
The Trotternish Ridge is itself a picturesque geological feature. It's southern tip commences with the "Old Man of Storr", a vertical stack of rock jutting up separate from the main ridge area. This is also called the "Sleeping Giant" as the formation appears to be a giant head resting on it's back, asleep. On it's west, the Trotternish ridge rises with a gentle slope with fertile soils (many local market gardens, plant nurseries and small scale arable tenant farms). This rise peaks and dramatically falls away on it's right side into sheer, craggy cliffs into the sea all along it's eastern coast. This offers sailors spectacular views inaccessible by land, including many tall, silvery waterfalls threading over the black, imposing cliffs, small coves and pebble beaches with many samples of the broad diversity of the local Skye geology evident here. For a lucky few able to access it by sea (or a very precarious staircase descending a sheer cliff) one beach near the Storr lochs area has excellent fossils including ammolites.
From this point the A87 continues through the village of Sconser, with it's nine hole golf course, hotel and guest houses offering bed and breakfast, round Glamaig and then along Loch Sligachan. Sconser also has the ferry terminal for passage to the Islands of Raasay, an unspoilt island with modest residential development offering a great place for a peaceful overnight stay. Raasay also has an exceptional outdoor activities center for those wanting a not-so-peaceful stay! The more energetic may wish to ascend Dun Caan, the dormant volcano dominating the island's skyline, seen here in this panorama. At the end of the loch the there is a junction at the mouth of the River Sligachan.
Travel and Getting There:
A87 south 12 miles from Portree, approx 24 miles north of Kyleakin or 30 miles north of Armadale. Arriving from Dunvegan on the A863 via Sligachan, 3 miles away, turn south and this location is one mile past Sconser.