The easternmost point of Trotternish, a grassy headland over the sea, 3.5 kilometres there and back from Culnacnoc.
Rubha nam Brathairean, the Brothers' Point, is the easternmost tip of Trotternish: a long green headland running out into the sea below the village of Culnacnoc, with a lump of rock halfway along and a grassy plateau at the end.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
A good path drops from the road to the shore, past the ruins of old crofts and a salmon netting station, and then the walking turns serious, along a steep path above vertical drops and up over Dùn Hasan.
The reward is the plateau, with the sea on three sides and Kilt Rock in view to the north. The name is thought to come from monks who lived here in single cells, and the tidal rocks by the burn at the foot of the path hold footprints left by dinosaurs about 170 million years ago. Families stop there, on the shore: the way on to the point, above sheer drops, is only for the sure-footed. Allow up to two hours for the 3.5 kilometres there and back, keep well back from the edges, and leave the prints as you find them.
The path crosses steep grass beside the ridge and climbs over Dùn Hasan, with vertical drops close by.
An ancient settlement, and later a medieval fortress, though little of either shows today. The way down its far side is as steep as the way up.
A spacious grassy plateau with views all round, and Kilt Rock and its waterfall in sight to the north.
A good path down to the shore by the burn, where families stop; then, for the sure-footed only, a steep one out along the point above sheer drops, and back the same way.
The walk starts from a small public car park on the A855 at Culnacnoc, north of Portree on the road to Staffin.
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About 170 million years ago this was a muddy, shallow lagoon, and dinosaurs left their footprints in it. Researchers have measured about 50 of them in the tidal rocks along this shore; with children, look by the burn at the foot of the path.
The prints belong to long-necked sauropods, cousins of Brontosaurus, and to sharp-toothed theropods, older cousins of Tyrannosaurus rex, from a time when Scotland was much warmer.
Few fossil sites from the Middle Jurassic have been found anywhere, which makes these prints important far beyond Skye. The study came from the University of Edinburgh, Staffin Museum and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Rubha nam Brathairean means the point of the brothers. The name is thought to come from a community of monks who lived here, each in a cell of his own.
On the way round the shore you pass ruined buildings on either side. The one on the left was a salmon netting station.
If you’re looking for one of those iconic Skye views – a geologically spectacular green headland reaching out into the blue wilds of the sea – follow the track to this remarkable point, also known as Rubha nam Brathairean, on the Trotternish peninsula.
Read moreSkye’s been popular with visitors for ages – around 170 million years, in fact. Up on the Trotternish Peninsula, jutting into the sea is a nose of land known as Brothers' Point, or Rubha nam Brathairean, and it’s here that researchers have found dinosaur footprints dating back to the Middle Jurassic period. The headland’s ancient coastal mudflats hold evidence of around 50 different footprints, including those of a stegosaurus-type dinosaur and the three-toed imprints of meat-eating theropods. The whole landscape looked radically different back then, of course – there were far fewer cafes, for a start – but when people talk about Skye’s wildlife being something special, you can reflect on the fact that it’s always been this way.
Read moreNew places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on on SkyeOn the east coast of Trotternish, below Culnacnoc on the A855 between Portree and Staffin.
Lealt FallsThe River Lealt drops step by step through a gorge to the sea, seen from a platform by the road.2 miles 2 min by road
Kilt RockSea cliffs of dolerite columns like the pleats of a kilt, with Mealt Falls beside them.2 miles 3 min by road
Staffin Dinosaur MuseumA collection of Skye's dinosaur fossils, first set up by Dugald Ross in 1976.2 miles 3 min by road
Dinosaur Prints at Staffin & DuntulmWhere to see Skye's dinosaur footprints at Staffin and Duntulm.4 miles 5 min by road
Columba 1400A charity's café at Staffin under the Trotternish ridge, paying for its youth work.4 miles 5 min by road
The Hungry GullFresh local cooking in the community hall at Staffin.4 miles 5 min by road
An Corran BeachA small dark beach whose rocks hold three-toed dinosaur prints, seen between low water and mid-tide.5 miles 7 min by road
Loch ShiantaA small loch out of sight of the road, said to have holy properties.6 miles 8 min by road
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
Places to stay near the point, and when each is next free.
Half of One
The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse
Monkstadt 1745
Skeabost House HotelBrothers' Point is stop 1 of 4 on a day we have planned, with the drives worked out.
You are here01Brothers' Point5 min by road02Kilt RockA short walk03Staffin Dinosaur Museum5 min by road04An Corran BeachThe end of the dayWe want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.
What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more on Skye.
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
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