The Cuillins of Skye
The Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye
Photograph from The Cuillins of Skye - A Gallery of Photographs
The Cuillin are a range of jagged rocky mountains on the Isle of Skye. Although most people refer to the whole area as the Cuillins of Skye the lower, and less rocky, mountains are actually known as the "Red Hills" with the larger, and most rocky mountains, being the Black Cuillin. The photograph above, taken from the Black Cuillin, clearly shows the red hills in the distance.
Mountaineers consider the Cuillin the most challenging hills in the United Kingdom and "Munro Baggers" will find that the Cuillin ridge includes 12 Munros (Bla Bheinn, 928m/3046ft, is slightly seperate from the main Cuillin ridge). The most challenging experience for the bravest of mountaineers is to traverse the Cuillins in the middle of winter but it must be warned that only the most experienced climbers should attempt this.
Important
Many tourists explore the Cuillin every year but few are prepared well and often end up in severe difficulty. Even on the finest day you must ensure that you are equiped for the worst weather and fully equiped with supplies (there are no water sources in the Cuillin).
You should also ensure that you leave somebody with your planned route and an expected time of arrival back home to base. The weather can change so quickly that a short trip can be extended into a long, unpleasant and even life threatening nightmare. Even experienced rock climbers have been caught out.
Winter on Skye
Cuillins Links:
The Cuillins of Skye
A guide to the Cuillin Ridge from the Virtual Hebrides