Skye

May 2004

The Skye Bridge from Kyle on the mainland.

Despite promises from politicians, the exhorbitant toll to cross the bridge is still in place

Cuillin from Elgol.

Its from Elgol that you get, perhaps the classic view of the entire range.

Gillean from Sligachan.

Sgurr nan Gillean in classic profile from near Sligachan.

Cuillin dusk.

The Cuillin bathed in the afterglow of a setting sun

Gillean and Am Bhasteir

Seen on the approach from Sligachan. The "tourist" route up Gillean goes off to the left of this picture. We went straight ahead for the challenging west ridge.

Am Bhasteir east ridge.

Negotiating the rocky crest en route to the summit.

Am Bhasteir east ridge.

An awkward "mauvais pas" is crossed via a short abeil.

Gillean Pinnacle Ridge

We climbed it via a chimney just visible in the centre.

South from Am Bhasteir summit.

The view south towards Coruisk and the sea.

Gillean chimney

Climbing an awkward chimney route on the way up Sgurr nan Gillean

Am Bhasteir from Gillean

The blade of rock that is Am Bhasteir

Gillean summit

Knackered at the summit of Gillean. the guys on the left had come up via the "tourist" route.

Coire Lagan

Looking up Coire Lagan to Sgurr Alasdair and the Great Stone Shoot

Rum from Skye

The low cloud between the islands made this an irresistable shot. The mountains of Rum (also called Cuillin from the Norse, "Kjollen" - a high place) rise above the cloud.

Glen Brittle beach and campsite

A delectable spot

Glen Brittle beach

Note the dark grey colour of the sands from the lava of the mountains

Portree

The island capital

Mainland from Skye coast

On my way back to the mainland, I took this shot looking across towards Applecross

Sligachan Bunkhouse

Good value at a tenner a night.