A quiet bay of Jurassic fossils below the Storr, 3.25 kilometres there and back down a very steep path.
The crowds at the Old Man of Storr rarely find their way down here.
Bearreraig Bay is a curve of grey stones under tall, crumbling cliffs, reached by a path that drops steeply past the pipes and the funicular track of the Storr Lochs hydro scheme, with steps cut into the rock and a handrail above the drop.
It is quiet, and it is very old. The cliffs are Jurassic sandstone and shale, a reference section for geologists around the world, and below them at low tide the stones hold belemnites and ammonites. Look, photograph, and leave them where they lie, because the site is protected. Keep an eye on the water too, where otters are sometimes seen offshore. The walk is 3.25 kilometres there and back with 153 metres of climb, and most of the climb comes at the end, so save something for the steps.
The pipes bring the water down from the Storr Lochs. Beside them runs a funicular track: the flat-roofed winch house at the top pulls a carriage up and down it to the power station.
Built in 1952, it gave Skye its first public electricity supply; before it, only the Royal Hotel had power, from its own generator. The turbine shows through the windows.
Below the crumbling cliffs at the far end of the bay, at low tide, is the best place to look for fossils. Look and leave them: the site is protected.
A stony beach curving round the bay. Watch the water: otters are sometimes seen swimming offshore.
A very steep path down to the bay, and the same way back up.
Start from the parking area on the hydro road, part way along to the dam.
These cliffs are an international reference section for the ammonites of the Aalenian and Bajocian, two ages of the Middle Jurassic, and the start of the Bajocian is formally marked here as an auxiliary stratotype point.
The cliffs belong to the Bearreraig Sandstone Formation, sandstones and shales laid down in the sea. It holds the thickest sandstone in the whole British Jurassic.
In the Udairn Shale, round nodules in the rock hold numerous ammonites, most of them young ones. One species found here, Ludwigia murchisonae, marks one of the standard zones of the Aalenian.
Not only sea creatures: nodules in these rocks have given up well-preserved fossil plants, and the place was chosen as a site of the Geological Conservation Review for them.
Round the corner of the bay, Holm Island sits just offshore. Local legend says it was Tir na nOg, the land of eternal youth.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on on SkyeBelow the Storr on the Trotternish coast, reached by the hydro road that turns off the main road just after the Storr Lochs, north of Portree.
The Storr SanctuaryThe ground of pinnacles under the Storr's cliffs, where the Old Man stands.Under a mile 2 min by road
The Old Man of StorrThe pinnacle above Loch Leathan, two hours there and back on foot.Under a mile 1 min by road
Loch FadaThe 'long loch', one of the two Storr Lochs, a popular fishing spot.3 miles 4 min by road
Lealt FallsThe River Lealt drops step by step through a gorge to the sea, seen from a platform by the road.5 miles 6 min by road
Brothers' PointA green headland running out into the sea, also known as Rubha nam Brathairean.6 miles 8 min by road
The LumpAn easy hilltop above Portree harbour, with fine views and an old watchtower.7 miles 11 min by road
Scorrybreac CircuitA simple circular walk from the centre of Portree, above the harbour.7 miles 11 min by road
PortreeSkye's main town, round a harbour of fishing boats and painted houses.7 miles 12 min by road
Arrives at 5am every day.
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Places to stay near the bay, and when each is next free.
Cuillin Hills Hotel
Marmalade Hotel
Half of One
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For further reading, before you go.
