The best Skye tour that includes the Old Man of Storr and the only tour at the moment is the Experience Skye app, where you can do an audio guide of the Storr.
Old Man of Storr - Isle of skye FAQ
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Though we can’t meet everyone in person – we’ve packed the best of Skye into the palm of your hand, sharing the same advice and recommendations we give to friends. The app includes audio guides full of history and stories, as well as places most visitors overlook. We think it will transform your experience of Skye. Check out the Experience Skye App here.
Below you’ll find all your Storr FAQs covering travel, hiking, parking, weather, families, accommodation, routes and more.
An Overview
The Old Man of Storr is easily one of the most dramatic places in the whole of Scotland. (In all weather—depending on how close you decide to get).
On a beautiful summer day, the views from the top, east over Raasay and on to the Scottish mainland, and south over the Storr Loch, Portree, and on to the craggy peaks of the Cuillin, are genuinely spectacular. This is proper Skye. World-famous.
Despite the crowds in summer, this is a place worth making time for. If you can manage, a visit at sunrise would be my best recommendation. The sun rises over the mainland and gradually illuminates the surrounding peaks and moorlands of Skye. You’ll also benefit from a quieter experience—if that is what you are after.
Storr is not far from the main centre of Skye, Portree. If Storr is one of your main attractions when visiting, Portree is likely the smartest place to base yourself. You could climb Storr early, come back to the town for refreshments, and go south to the Fairy Pools. Or, you could start your day with breakfast in Portree before venturing north for a day on Skye’s Trotternish peninsula. Here, you can visit Brothers Point, Staffin, The Quiraing, and even travel further north to Kilmuir and Duntulm Castle.
You’ll find parking on-site, and the trailhead begins from the car park. As always on Skye—and I’ll never tire of saying it—bring waterproofs and sunscreen, strong shoes, and water. Although the path is perfectly safe, this is an easy place to roll your ankles, and it’s a long, steep path home.
Take some time to go off the beaten path nearer the top and explore among the rocky formations below the cliff. Viking treasure was found not too far from here, as you can discover on our Old Man of Storr Audio Tour, part of our Experience Skye app. I think you’ll find even more historic and cultural treasures on our app. End plug.
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YOUR GUIDE
David MacDonald
Tour guide and musician sharing Skye’s stories through tours and Experience Skye App. Blending local knowledge with a passion for the island’s history.
Tour guide and musician sharing Skye’s stories through tours and Experience Skye App. Blending local knowledge with a passion for the island’s history.
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Storr Skye - Info and FAQ's
What to bring?
What should I pack for the Storr walk?
Hiking boots, waterproof clothes, water, and snacks would be good options. If you’re used to using hiking poles, you should bring them because the boulder steps and the gravel path can be difficult to navigate. Other than that, it’s about two to three hours, so anything you think you need for two to four hours of hiking at Storr. Suncream is also recommended even when it’s windy. I know that sounds strange, but when the breeze is cooling you down, you don’t realize you’re burning. Take it from me, it’s happened plenty of times.
Do I need proper hiking boots?
You definitely need good-quality shoes. You might not need hiking boots for this walk, although it’s probably quite easy to roll your ankles when you come down the gravel path on the way back to the car. Strong trainers or hiking boots would be recommended, but you will see loads of visitors up the hill with the most inappropriate footwear, and that might make you laugh.
What emergency stuff should I have with me?
Always bring waterproofs. Always bring hiking boots. If you’re not familiar with hiking, don’t stray from the path if the weather turns bad, but you should be fine. If you have knee problems, hiking poles will help. The weather can change in 10 minutes from sun to stormy weather, so it’s good to have waterproofs with you on the trail.
Should I bring walking poles?
You should bring walking poles if you’re used to using them. The hike from the car park is pretty steep and on varying degrees of path. Some of the path is pebbles, some of the path is boulders. Especially coming back down, hiking poles can be really useful.
Getting to the Old Man of Storr
Where exactly is the Old Man of Storr?
The Old Man of Storr is in the north part of Skye, 15 minutes north of Portree, on the Trotternish Ridge. It’s very easy to get to.
How much does parking cost?
Parking costs £6. You can by machine or on the Ringgo app – which will be useful for parking throughout Scotland.
Use postcode – IV51 9HX to get there.
It can be busy, but there is a lot of parking. Don’t park on the side of the road. Your best bet is to go earlier in the day, and you should get space, no problem.
Can I visit as a day trip from Edinburgh or Glasgow?
You can, I believe, take bus tours from Edinburgh to Skye in one day. I do not recommend it, but people do do it. If you’re going to come to Skye, you want to spend three days there. Many people try and spend two days, and they always regret it when they realise there’s so much to do on the island.
Are there buses that go to the Old Man of Storr?
The 57A bus route from Portree towards Staffin stops near the trailhead.
Though keep in mind coordinating the return journey home may be tricky – you may be able to hitchhike or speak to someone on the trail going back towards Portree.
For more information on Isle of Skye Public transport check out our Pre Arrival Guide to Skye blog here.
How easy is the drive to Storr
From Portree to the Storr takes about 20 minutes. The road is both normal carriageway roads, and there is a five minute segment of single-track roads going past the Storr lochs, where you’ll need to use passing places.
Given the busyness of the road in the summertime, you just need to be careful to let people pass when you’re going to the Storr.
Basic Trail Information
Where does the trail start?
The trail starts at the car park. The car park is in the north of Skye, about 15 minutes north of Portree, and the car park is right at the trailhead.
How long should I allow for the full experience?
When you’re visiting the Old Man of Storr, you want to give yourself at least two hours if you’re in good shape. If you’re fit, you can get up and down in probably an hour and 45 minutes. Most people who go to Storr will spend between, I would say, three and four hours—spending maybe an hour and a half getting to the viewpoint, then enjoying the view up there, and then coming back down, which takes probably about 45 minutes. People do stop along the way, and it can take probably about three hours of your day.
What is the elevation gain to the Old Man of Storr?
The walk itself takes you up around 400 meters, and it winds up the hill taking place over two steep section.
Is there a shorter walking option?
There’s not a shorter walking option. Storr, to be enjoyed, largely requires you to climb to the viewpoint. You can climb halfway, but you won’t get a good view of the Storr pinnacle itself. You will get a good view of the Sound of Raasay and over to the Scottish mainland, but Storr is a place to stop if you’re fully committed to climbing to the top.
Are there any toilet/restroom facilities on the trail?
There are restrooms and facilities at the bottom of the trail. On the trail itself, there are no restrooms until you get back to the car park.
Do I need a map for the hike?
You don’t need a map for the hike. The hike is on a very clearly marked path going all the way to the viewpoint.
Can I walk in a loop back to the start?
The Storr is an up-and-down hike. You hike up the same way as you come back down. It’s not a circular loop like the Quiraing.
Is it better to visit in the morning or afternoon?
The Old Man of Storr is on the east of the island and therefore best visited in the morning because you can see the sunrise over Scotland and over the Sound of Raasay all the way south to the Cuillin Hills. In the morning, it’s also a little bit quieter, so you can enjoy the hike largely in peace. The morning is definitely better for the Old Man of Storr.
How far is it from other major Skye attractions?
Storr is on the Trotternish Ridge, on the north of Skye, and that is a very famous landscape in Scotland. Nearby, you’ll find Portree to the south, which is the main town on Skye, where you’ll find restaurants, cafes, and accommodation.
North, you’ll get to the Quiraing, which is another famous site. It’s about 20 minutes from Storr, and you can do both together if you decide to do that. In between Storr and Quiraing is a place called Staffin, which has a beach where you can look for dinosaur footprints, and you can also stop for a coffee.
Weather and Season Considerations
When's the best time of year to visit Storr?
It depends on what you’re after. The longest days are in the summer, which would allow you to get up very early at sunrise and see the Storr, then go on to find other areas on the island to see. But in the winter, in the snow, Storr is particularly dramatic. In the autumn, it can be a bit wild weather-wise, and the higher you climb, the more windy and rainy it seems to get.
So I would say summer, winter, or spring are the best, although many people visit in autumn and have a good time.
When's the best time of year to visit Storr?
There’s no shelter on the trail. This is a very exposed part of Skye, and you’ll get wet and blown to pieces on the trail if the weather changes. It’s best always to carry waterproofs with you on Skye. The weather can change in 10 minutes from sun to stormy weather. It’s good to have waterproofs with you on the trail.
How muddy does the trail get after rain?
The trail is mostly very good and is mostly on pebble paths and boulders. But there is one section halfway up which can get a little muddy for a few yards, and your new fancy trainers will get absolutely manky. Best to wear walking boots.
Is it worth hiking in the rain?
It really depends. I’ve heard from many visitors that they went up when it was foggy and rainy, and they absolutely loved seeing Storr come and go between the mist and the rain.
Is it worth visiting on a foggy day?
Many people visit on foggy days and have a great time. The Storr pinnacle itself looks fantastic in the fog—it looks like another landscape, another planet. But part of the climb to Storr is the amazing views to the Scottish mainland and down to the hills, and if it’s foggy, you’ll miss that.
I think yes, you can still go if it’s foggy, but you do miss the dramatic views stretching out east and south on Skye. If you can plan around the weather, go on a good day – if you can’t go up anyway.
Can you visit in winter?
Yes, you can visit in winter.
How different does it look in summer compared to winter?
In the winter, in the snow, Storr is particularly dramatic. In summer, you have long days and golden light.
Which month is best to go?
November and February are very good for taking photographs of Storr when the light and the sun is low in the sky, and the days are short, allowing you to get to the Storr for sunrise without it being too early.
Are the roads okay in different seasons?
The roads to Storr are mostly fine in all seasons. Skye doesn’t get a lot of snow. You may get some snow in the wintertime.
There are a few potholes here and there, but generally speaking, it’s one of the more easily accessible attractions on the island.
Can you see the Northern Lights from there?
You can see the glow of the Northern Lights behind the Storr very faintly and from the south of the island looking north, but Storr is not the best place to see the Northern Lights. The best place to watch the Northern Lights is on the northwestern coast of Skye in Winter.
Waternish or Neist Point are good options if you’re looking to watch the Northern Lights…if you’re lucky enough to catch them.
Avoiding the Crowds
What’s the best way to avoid the crowds?
The best way to avoid the crowds is to get up early when the sun’s rising to view the Storr, and that has the added benefit of seeing the Storr in all its glory. Otherwise, any time of day is good if you’re happy navigating some crowds. When you get beyond the initial stages of the walk, the crowds start to calm down, and there are places you can explore more quietly on your own.
In Winter or early spring there are fewer crowds and Skye is even more of a tranquil stunning place.
Accessibility & Fitness
How fit do I need to be for the Storr walk?
How fit do you need to be is a good question. It’s a difficult walk if you’re unfit. It’s very steep. There are boulders to navigate on the steps on the second half of the hike, and it can be quite tiring. People of all fitness levels do still climb, but depending on how fit you are will determine how long it takes you and how many breaks you’ll need to take on the way up.
On the way back down, the gravel path can be ‘slippy’ as the gravel rolls from beneath your feet. If you think that’s going to be a problem, just keep that in mind. This is the kind of place where you might roll your ankles, so walking boots are definitely recommended.
Are there any flat areas with good views?
There are no flat areas that you can get to without climbing, I’m afraid. But halfway up, there is a flat area if you don’t want to go much further and still see some great views.
Can I see the main sights without doing the whole hike?
You can see the Storr from the road, but if you start the hike, you might as well finish it. This isn’t a hike for someone wanting to go halfway. You really only see the Storr up close when you get to it because it’s camouflaged by the cliffs behind. You can hardly see the Storr until you get to the top, so you can either see it from the top or the bottom. You can’t really see it in the middle.
How steep is the path?
The path is steep both on the way up and, of course, on the way back down. It can be tiring, and the boulder steps towards the end of the path will get your quads burning, and they’ll tire you out for sure.
Are there any accessible viewpoints for people with mobility issues?
I’m afraid there are no viewpoints for people with mobility issues other than from the bottom and from the road.
Can I use an all-terrain wheelchair on any part of the trail?
Good question. To be honest, I’m not sure. It is very steep. I think you would struggle to push a wheelchair, and an automatic wheelchair would struggle to climb the hill.
How difficult is the terrain for someone with knee problems?
It’s a difficult walk if you have knee problems, especially coming back down. The boulder steps and the gravel path will be damaging for your knees. It’s easy to fall over, so if you’re going to go for it, make sure you take hiking poles with you – and perhaps take a strapping lady/gentleman along for the walk.
Are there benches or places to rest along the trail?
There are no benches, but there are many places to stop along the trail to sit on rocks or to sit on the grass.
Safety
Is the Old Man of Storr path well marked?
The path is very well marked from the bottom all the way to the top.
How’s the phone signal up there?
Really depends on the network you’re on. Though I would say phone signal at Storr is likely to be pretty good, should you need it.
What should I do if the weather turns bad?
Crawl into a wee ball and cry for help…
Storr is not somewhere that you need to be too worried about falling off a cliff/disappearing in the mist.
If the weather turns bad, you can just follow the path home. Loads of people go up there in bad weather and, touch wood, have been fine. Just make sure if you’re not familiar with hiking, you don’t stray from the path if the weather turns on you. You should be fine.
Families and Dogs
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes, I would say this is a hike that’s very suitable for kids. If they have lots of energy, they’ll be tired out climbing up the hill. They’ll enjoy the views and the nature of the rocks. This is a good place for kids because it can’t really go too badly wrong… unless you have one of THOSE kids.
How old should children be to manage the hike?
Children of all ages climb up this hill.
Can I bring my dog?
This is dog heaven. You can bring your dog. Just keep in mind there’ll be other dogs around, if your dog’s happy with that. Dogs love Skye.
Woof woof woof woof?
Woof.
Facilities and Practical Planning
Where are the nearest toilets to Storr?
There are toilets at the trailhead going up to the Old Man of Storr, just next to the car park. If you want to go before you get to Storr, the nearest toilets you’ll find are in Portree, the main town on Skye.
Where’s the closest petrol/gas station?
The nearest gas or petrol station can be found in Portree. As you enter Portree village, there’s a petrol station that you can use to fill up if you have traveled far from the south of the island. It’s probably a 15- to 20-minute drive away.
In Staffin there is another small Petrol station – 10 – 15 mins North. Though this will only be open during the day.
Where’s the nearest shop?
The nearest shop is in Portree, which is the main center of Skye, where you’ll find all the necessities—food, restaurants, pubs, and shops.
Can I camp at Storr?
Some people do camp on Storr. Though in places this could be very exposed. Generally speaking, in Scotland, most places are suitable for camping unless it’s otherwise stated that you can’t camp there.
Can I combine it with the Fairy Pools in one day?
Doing the Fairy Pools and the Old Man of Storr in one day is definitely possible. Both of them take between two and three hours. It would be a lot of walking, but if you’re happy with that, you can definitely do it in one day.
What order you do them in doesn’t really matter. I would say both will get busy in the middle of the day, so you might do one in the morning, spend some time in Portree in the afternoon, and then do the other one in the early evening. They’re roughly 45 minutes from one another.
Food and Drink
Where is the closest Café/Restaruant to the Old Man of Storr?
Isle of Skye Candles Visitors Centre – The centre features a great café – Gasta – serving wood-fired pizzas.
Relish – Relish is an ideal lunch spot for those visiting the iconic Old Man of Storr. You can either sit in or take it away. You’ll find a menu with creative burgers, a variety of toasties, sandwiches and locally made cakes. Very handy place to stop in and stock up before venturing around Skye.
MacKenzies Bakery Portree
Mackenzie’s Bakery in Portree is perfect if you’re looking for a picnic or packed lunch to take on the go. The bakery offers a fantastic selection of home-baked cakes, biscuits, doughnuts, and savoury pies. The doughnuts, in particular, are light, fluffy, and their scones and short bread are excellent.
In addition to their sweet treats, Mackenzie’s has a great assortment of hot and cold sandwiches, perfect for grabbing a quick bite. They also serve a tasty homemade soup of the day, with a variety of filled rolls/sandwhiches to choose from.
Located in the heart of town, this bakery is easily accessible and often with a one out of the door. Despite the busy atmosphere, the line moves quickly.
The prices are also probably the best in Portree.
Columba 1400 (Staffin)
For a simple and tasty lunch stop between the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, Columba 1400 Cafe is highly recommended. Known for its friendly service and good food, the cafe offers a range of options including coffee, cake, and lunch dishes, all at reasonable prices. They also have vegan choices and focus on home-cooked meals. It’s a great little spot to enjoy a meal with beautiful views, perfect for a break before or after visiting the Quiraing.
Are there nice picnic spots on the trail?
You can stop anywhere along the trail, on the grass or on the boulders. There are plenty of places to stop and have a picnic. If you move off the trail slightly, you’ll find a quiet place to yourself. There might be the odd sheep around, but generally speaking, there are loads of places to stop and have a picnic.
Where can I get breakfast before hiking?
Best place to stop for breakfast would be in Portree. My go to is Cafe Ariba.
Local Area & Additional Attractions
Can I combine the Quiraing with the Old Man of Storr?
Yes, and it’s a great idea if you’ve got the energy. They’re about 25 minutes apart by car, so you can easily do both in a day. Or, if you want to take your time, do one one day and the other the next.
Are there guided tours available?
There are no guided to specifically of the Old Man Of Storr, but if you are interested in the history, geology and folklore of the place, we’ve included a short audio guides on our app. Check it our here
Are there guided tours available?
There’s loads to see nearby. It’s worth stopping in Portree. You can do a boat tour from Portree, go into the village to visit the shops, get some food, get some coffee, and take some pictures.
You can do the Portree walking tour. You can visit the Staffin Eco Museum, where you can see some of the Jurassic finds on the island. You can go to Brothers Point, which is probably 10 minutes north of Portree, between the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing.
There’s also a wee stop called Lealt Falls, which you can stop at on the way. If you carry on even further north past the Quiraing, you can get to Kilmuir, where you can stop at the Island Life Museum and see the ruins of Duntulm Castle.
ACCOMMODATION
Where's the closest place to stay overnight?
The best place to stay is either Portree or Staffin, or anywhere in self-catering properties in between if this is your main event for your stay.
Are there any hotels with views of the Old Man of Storr?
There are no hotels with views of the Old Man of Storr, but you can see the Old Man of Storr from Portree from certain places.
What's the best town to base myself in for visiting?
Portree generally is the best place to base yourself on Skye. Its central location means that you can go virtually anywhere fairly quickly on the island, and you still have the luxury of restaurants and pubs nearby, live music, and generally lots to do in Portree.
Are there any campsites nearby?
The nearest campsite to the Old Man of Storr is Torvaig Campsite, just north of Portree.
General Curiosity
The Old Man of Storr has silently stood for millenia, gazed upon by every character who ever lived or visited our island. It’s life began some 58million years ago, and has been visited by both faeries (if you believe in faerie tales) and and vikings – in fact, viking treasure was found nearby Storr itself. You can see the treasure found at Storr in pictures on our app. You can also enjoy a short audio tour of the site as we keep you company on the way up. Download our Skye app and take us with you.