The Old Man of Storr
5 km return, per Walkhighlands · 340 m ascent, per Walkhighlands elevation
About
The walk up to the 50-metre pinnacle below the cliffs of the Storr on the Trotternish ridge north of Portree. Walkhighlands gives it as 5 km there and back, 1.5 to 2 hours, with 340 metres of ascent on clear hill paths that turn steep and rocky higher up, and says signs warn of rockfall: the section beyond the fallen rocks should be avoided after heavy rain. The area of cliffs and pinnacles around the Old Man is called the Sanctuary. The pinnacle was first climbed in 1955 by Don Whillans, per the same page. The West Highland Free Press put visitors at around 200,000 a year in 2024, when Highland Council opened Ionad an Stòir, the Storr Centre, at the car park. Without a car, the Stagecoach 57A from Somerled Square stops at the Old Man of Storr car park about fifteen minutes out of town on the October 2026 timetable.
Highlights
- ✓The 50 m pinnacle of the Old Man
- ✓The Sanctuary, ringed by cliffs and pinnacles
- ✓Views over the Sound of Raasay
- ✓A bus stop at the car park
Tips
- →Parking at the Storr is £6 for up to 6 hours and £8 for up to 12, per the Storr's own parking page; motorhomes cannot use the main car park and nobody may stay overnight.
- →Stagecoach 57A and 57C both serve the 'Old Man of Storr Car Park' stop. The October 2026 timetables run Monday to Saturday with no Sunday journeys shown, so check the current timetable before you set out.
- →Walkhighlands says the upper section has rockfall danger and should be avoided after heavy rain.
Best Season
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