Hidden Scotland
Sign in
Snow-capped peaks rise along a coastline beneath pink evening clouds, a small rocky islet in the foreground sea.
Isle of Skye

Cuillin Mountains

Skye's serious mountains: the eroded heart of a volcano some 60 million years old, with Sgùrr Alasdair at 992 metres.

Welcome

The Cuillin fill the south of Skye: the Black Cuillin, dark and jagged, and the rounder, granite Red Cuillin to the east.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Both date from the volcanic activity of about 60 million years ago, and the Black Cuillin are the exposed roots of the volcano itself, with more than two kilometres of rock worn away since. Their ridge carries eleven Munros joined by miles of knife-edge scrambling, and Sgùrr Alasdair, at 992 metres, is the highest mountain in Britain off the mainland.

These are serious mountains. The ridge, and the Inaccessible Pinnacle with its rock climb and abseil, are for experienced climbers; if you are inexperienced or unsure, hire a guide. You can still come close: Coire Lagan, a rough walk from Glen Brittle with some scrambling near the corrie, goes in among the peaks, and in the boating season boats run from Elgol to Loch Coruisk. On any hill here, carry a map and compass, waterproofs and warm spare clothing, check the forecast and tell someone your plan.

The Daily

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.

The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
Before you go

The Cuillin is serious mountain country: steep, rocky and high.

The main ridge and the Inaccessible Pinnacle need climbing experience, or a guide. Everything below is for planning, not for deciding whether a day is safe.

Where
The south of Skye, with Glen Brittle to the west, Sligachan to the north and Elgol to the south. The map is OS Explorer 411, Cuillin Hills.
Getting there
Buses run from Portree and Broadford to Sligachan and Elgol. There is no public transport to the start of the walks at Glen Brittle.
Parking
At Glen Brittle, above the beach and just before the campsite at the end of the road. At Sligachan, a small car park and lay-by by the river, or the public car park near the hotel.
The ridge
Eleven Munros and miles of knife-edge scrambling. The Black Cuillin ridge is extremely rough ground, with boulder hills, steep scree and knife-edge ridges, suitable only for experienced climbers. Anyone tackling it needs scrambling and climbing skills, some abseiling and good route-finding. There is no natural water on the ridge.
The In Pinn
A rock climb and an abseil. It should not be attempted without rock climbing skills and equipment, and some prior experience of abseiling.
Below the peaks
Coire Lagan from Glen Brittle is 9 km, 3 to 5 hours with 590 metres of ascent, on mostly good paths and then rough ground with some scrambling near the corrie.
Weather
It can change very quickly. The summits are 4 to 5 degrees colder than sea level and the mountains are wetter and windier than the rest of the island. Check the forecast before you go.
What to carry
Waterproof boots that support the ankle, a full set of waterproofs, hat and gloves, a spare warm layer, food and water, and a map and compass. Carry a whistle and a first aid kit, a helmet where there is rockfall, and crampons and an ice axe in winter.
Compass
The rock has a high iron content, so a compass can give faulty readings.
Phone signal
GPS and mobile signal vary on the mountains, and there is none at all in some places. Do not rely on a phone alone.
Winter
Winter hillwalking and mountaineering carries an increased risk, with avalanche awareness and the right equipment essential.
Before you set off
Leave your route and the time you expect to be back with someone. If you are inexperienced, consider a qualified guide or instructor.
In an emergency
On the hills, dial 999, ask for the police, then mountain rescue. A rescue can take several hours to reach you, and a helicopter cannot be counted on.

Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.

Add your review

Did you know

A snow-capped mountain rises above a dark coastline beneath a pink evening sky.
Did you know

Inside an old volcano.

About 60 million years ago this was a volcano ten kilometres wide. Since then more than two kilometres of rock have worn away, and the magma chamber that fed it is what you are standing on.

Pink-tinged clouds stretch above snow-capped mountains along a dark shoreline.
Did you know

Black Cuillin, Red Cuillin.

The Black Cuillin are gabbro, a dark, coarse rock that cooled slowly underground. As the magma changed and grew richer in silica, it cooled as granite instead, and granite makes up the Red Cuillin to the east.

Snow-dusted peaks line a shoreline beneath a band of pink and grey cloud.
Did you know

The highest island mountain in Britain.

Sgùrr Alasdair, at 992 metres, is the highest mountain in Britain off the mainland, and it has perhaps the smallest summit in the Cuillin.

Storm clouds hang low over snow-dusted hills bordering a sea loch.
Did you know

The hardest Munro.

The Inaccessible Pinnacle, 986 metres, rises from the top of Sgùrr Dearg. It is the most difficult of all the Munros: reaching the top takes a rock climb, and coming down an abseil.

Layered clouds glow orange and grey at sunset over the sea.
Did you know

The whole ridge in a day, 1911.

The Cuillin Ridge was thought to need days. On 10 June 1911 Leslie Shadbolt and Alastair McLaren crossed it in one, 12 hours and 18 minutes from the first summit to the last. Nobody repeated it until 1920.

Golden light glows through billowing storm clouds at sunset.
Did you know

Scratched by the ice.

In the last ice age glaciers flowed out from the heart of the Cuillin. The long parallel grooves they cut in the rock still show which way the ice was moving.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Skye

This iconic, razor-backed range – generally divided between the round-topped Red Cuillin and the more jagged Black Cuillin – contains no less than 12 Munros. Serious climbers and mountaineers are drawn here in numbers. The rewards are superb, but you should be aware that many routes are very challenging. Mountain guides and climbing instructors can both be hired if needed.

Read more
Graeme Johncock

An Unlikely Friendship

The jagged peaks of the Cuillin mountains on Skye dominate much of the island's incredible scenery. Looking at them is one thing, but hiking them is another matter entirely. Even though many locals would have no doubt climbed these peaks over the centuries, by the 19th century th

Read the story
Graeme Johncock

Legend says that the Black Cuillin mountains were formed after the Sun threw an enormous spear into the island, causing the ground to bubble up and burst into jagged peaks.

Read more
Graeme Johncock

The only one of Scotland’s Munros that requires technical rock climbing is the Inaccessible Pinnacle – otherwise known as the In Pin on Sgurr Dearg, part of the Black Cuillins.

Read more
Backlit clouds glow gold and grey against a clear blue sky at sunset.
What is on

What is new across Skye, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on on Skye
01 / 11
Where it is

In the south of Skye, between Glen Brittle on the west, Sligachan on the north and Elgol and Loch Coruisk on the south.

Close byThe places nearest the Cuillin, by road.
  1. Glen Brittle BeachGlen Brittle BeachA sandy beach at the head of Loch Brittle, under the Cuillin, with a campsite and café behind it.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle: white water spilling over dark rock into a clear pool, the jagged ridge of the Black Cuillin rising behind.Fairy PoolsClear pools and falls on the Allt Coire a' Mhadaidh where it comes down Coire na Creiche into Glen Brittle, under the north side of the Black Cuillin.3 miles 4 min by road
  3. Café CùilCafé CùilA red-roofed café on the shore of Loch Harport by Carbost, serving Hebridean brunch from a Skye chef who began in Hackney.8 miles 10 min by road
  4. SligachanSligachanThe Sligachan Hotel and the old stone bridge below the Cuillin, where the A87 meets the road to Dunvegan.14 miles 18 min by road
  5. Sligachan Old BridgeSligachan Old BridgeA humped stone bridge of about 1810 to 1818 by Thomas Telford, with the Cuillin rising behind it.14 miles 17 min by road
  6. Glen Sligachan opening south from the road, the Cuillin rising on either side and the river running through the moor.Glen SligachanThe long glen running south from Sligachan with the Black Cuillin on one side and the Red on the other, and no road down it at all.14 miles 19 min by road
Directions
Gravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksGlenbrittleGlenbrittle CampsitePlace to stay · 1.0 miles
Wood-burning stove alight beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a hillside pathSligachanSligachan BlackhousesSleeps 6 · 5.3 miles
A canyoner in helmet and drysuit coming through the fall of a gorge, water breaking white over the shoulders.AttractionsSkye Adventure5.3 miles as the crow flies
A copper-clad brewing vessel.ShoppingCuillin Brewery5.3 miles as the crow flies
The back bar at Seumas' lined with whiskies.BarsSeumas' Bar5.3 miles as the crow flies
A white house sits beside a stone bridge over a river, misty mountains rising behind.SligachanSligachan CampsitePlace to stay · 5.5 miles
Talisker distillery entrance, whitewashed wall with crossed oars beside the doorAttractionsTalisker Distillery8.0 miles
White cottage with dormer windows beside "The Old Byre" sign overlooking the lochRestaurantsThe Old Inn8.0 miles
Café interior with blue counter, glass display case and framed bird prints on the wallCafeCaora Dhubh Coffee Company8.1 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the Cuillin, and when each is next free.

Gravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksGlenbrittle Campsite
  • To stay
  • In Glenbrittle
  • 3 miles from the Cuillin
Check datesWood-burning stove alight beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a hillside pathSligachan Blackhouses
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Sligachan
  • 5 miles from the Cuillin
Check datesA white house sits beside a stone bridge over a river, misty mountains rising behind.Sligachan Campsite
  • To stay
  • In Sligachan
  • 6 miles from the Cuillin
Check datesCoruisk House's white harled exterior shows dormer windows and clustered chimneys against a grey sky.Coruisk House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Elgol
  • 6 miles from the Cuillin
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on SkyeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We 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.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Read on

What we have written about it and more on Skye.

From the magazineEdge of the Elements: Staying at Black h and Wood h
More on Skye
Find out more

For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .