The Cuillins from Sligachan

The iconic view of the Cuillins from Sligachan River on the Isle of Skye

The main Cuillin ridge is also known as the Black Cuillin to distinguish it from the Red Cuillin, or Red Hills, that lie to the east of Glen Sligachan. The peaks of the Black Cuillin are composed mainly of gabbro, a very rough igneous rock that provides a superb grip for mountaineers, and basalt, that can be very slippery when wet. The main ridge is about 14 km long and forms an arc around Loch Coruisk, which lies at the heart of the range. In contrast to the Black Cuillin, the Red Cuillin are mainly composed of granite, a paler rock than the gabbro that has weathered into more rounded hills. Here there is vegetation cover to summit level along with long scree slopes on the mountain flanks.