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The Cuillins

Isle of Skye

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Two Cuillin ranges dominate Skye’s landscape: the Black Cuillin and the Red Cuillin, separated by Glen Sligachan.

The famous ridge of the Black Cuillin is the UK’s most challenging mountain range; more than 11 kilometres long and over 3,000 feet in parts, the ridge contains 11 Munros with 16 additional summits. The highest peak is Sgurr Alasdair at 3,254.59 feet - this is also the highest point in Skye and the Inner Hebrides. Formed 60,000,000 years ago, the Black Cuillin Ridge is all that remains of the eroded magma chamber of a giant volcano. The ridge's current form is a result of glacial activity and a millennium of weathering, creating a unique, jagged character of hard gabbro rock and basalt.

The rounded Red Cuillin Ridge offers a gentler climb and is very popular with hillwalkers. The highest peak is Glamaig, which is a 2543ft Corbett. The Red Cuillin is primarily made up of granite, which is less resistant to glaciers than the gabbro of Black Cuillin Ridge, and is responsible for the hills' rounded form.

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Where we are

Sligachan
Isle of Skye
IV26 2YG

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