The Cuillins of Skye

Of all the various viewpoints of the mountains of the Cuillins of Skye, the most familiar is probably that of the peaks of Sgurr nan Gillean, Sgurr a'Bhasteir and the intervening rocky eminence known as the Bhasteir Tooth seen from the north east near Sligachan. Approaching from the east at Sconser on the road between Broadford and Portree, the sudden appearance of these peaks from behind the red scree slopes of Glamaig is quite dramatic. On a stormy day with a cloud filled sky it can also be quite daunting if one is about to attempt the ascent of either of these peaks, particularly Sgurr nan Glllean, the route to which crosses the open moorland in the centre of shot.

Some photographers use the bridge over the river at Sligachan as a foreground to this image, or even to frame their compositions. Personally I prefer to head for the bed of the River Sligachan where its shallow pools and miniature waterfalls provide a beautiful foreground to the craggy mountains and bare moorland beyond. This image was taken in late April when the water in the river was particularly low and the first green shoots of new growth were beginning to show amongst the rough strands of heather on the river banks.