Is the Old Man of Storr worth visiting?
Is the Old Man of Storr worth visiting? – The Old Man of Storr is a rocky outcrop on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It’s an iconic sight and popular with tourists, but is it really worth visiting? If you’re up for a bit of a hike and you’re interested in seeing some stunning views, then it’s definitely worth a visit.
The Honest Truth About Hiking the Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is Scotland’s most photographed landmark after Edinburgh Castle. Every travel blog calls it “unmissable.” They’re not wrong — but they’re not telling you the full picture either.
- The car park fills by 9am in summer — arrive at 7:30 or go after 4pm. There’s limited parking and no overflow. If the car park is full, you’ll be turned away to drive a narrow single-track road back down. Early morning also gives you the best light for photographs and far fewer people at the summit.
- The path is steep, muddy, and not suitable for casual shoes. Instagram makes it look like a gentle stroll. It’s a 45-minute uphill slog on an eroded, boggy trail. Waterproof boots with grip are essential. Walking poles help significantly on the descent.
- Don’t stop at the first viewpoint — keep climbing. Most visitors reach the first clearing, take photos, and turn back. The best views are 10 minutes further up, where you can see the rock pinnacles framed against the coastline. The difference in perspective is dramatic.
- If it’s cloudy, go anyway. Mist and low cloud around the Storr create an eerie, atmospheric experience that clear-sky days can’t match. Some of the most striking Storr photographs were taken in poor weather. Just bring waterproofs.
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To get there, you’ll need to take a ferry from the mainland. The ferry ride takes around 45 minutes and there are several companies that operate services to the Isle of Skye. Once you’re on the island, it’s then a short hike up to the Old Man of Storr. The hike is fairly easy and should only take around 30 minutes.
Things to see and do on the Isle of Skye
There are plenty of things to do on the Isle of Skye. Whether you want to explore the island’s natural beauty, or take part in some of the many activities on offer, there is something for everyone.
For those who want to explore the great outdoors, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails to enjoy. The island is also home to some stunning beaches, perfect for a relaxing day by the sea.
If you’re looking for something a little more active, there are plenty of water sports on offer, as well as golf and tennis. And, of course, no visit to the Isle of Sky would be complete without taking a trip to see the famous Old Man of Storr as mentioned above.
Visit the Fairy Pools
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Free to visit at any time, the Fairy Pools is a magical place of outstanding natural beauty at the foot of the Cuillin mountains and definitely worth the effort.
Talisker Distillery
Complete your visit to the Isle of Skye with a visit to Talisker, the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye. Talisker is set on the shores of Loch Harport with dramatic views of the Cuillins. The alluring, sweet, full-bodied single malt that is produced here is so easy to enjoy, and like Skye itself, so hard to leave.
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A Traveller’s Perspective
The Old Man of Storr is worth every step of the climb, but I would be lying if I said it was easy. The path is steep, often muddy, and on a wet day it can be genuinely slippery. What the photos on social media do not show you is the 45-minute uphill slog to reach the viewpoint. But once you are up there, with the pinnacles rising out of the mist and the Sound of Raasay spread out below, it all makes sense.
Go early. I mean really early — before 8am if you can manage it. By mid-morning in summer, the car park is full and the path is crowded. The walk up takes most people 40 to 50 minutes, and you will want at least 20 minutes at the top to catch your breath and take it in. Wear proper walking boots with ankle support, not trainers. Bring water and a waterproof. The weather on Skye changes faster than anywhere else I have been in Scotland.
At the top, on a clear morning, you can hear absolutely nothing except the wind and the occasional call of a raven. The rock formations look like something from another planet — dark, jagged spires against a sky that shifts from grey to blue and back again within minutes. The air smells of wet grass and peat. It is one of those places that photographs cannot do justice to, no matter how good your camera is.
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