The Old Man of Storr Legend – The Myths and Mysteries of the Isle of Skye

The Old Man of Storr is a rock formation on the isle of Skye in Scotland. What makes this place special is the fact that there are tons of legends, myths, and histories behind this natural wonder. Today, we are going to discuss the Old Man of Storr legend. I will also provide you the best travel tips to hike in the area.

The Old Man of Storr Legend

Scotland is rainy and windy, this is part of the folklore of the Old Man of Storr. On the other hand, if you can get over the fact of getting wet, Scotland is amazing. The atmosphere you can feel in those wild landscapes during the hike is incredible.

Also, just like lots of places in Scotland, the Isle of Skye is full of legends. The Old Man of Storr has the chance to have its own legend. This is a legend that comes from Gaelic mythology. The Celts were in Scotland for a long time, and they left a big imprint on the stories in the area.

The Isle of Skye is filled with Celtic mythology. The Gaelic mythology created stories around the particular places of the island. This is what happened to the Old Man of Storr, and here is its legend.

Following some beliefs, The Old Man of Storr was a giant who resided on the Trotternish Ridge. When he died, his thumb remained partially above ground, which formed the 55 meter-high rock. Could you imagine if, under the island, lays the body of a giant? Following other beliefs, it’s the form of the rock which gave him this name. Indeed, with enough imagination, you can imagine an old man in the rock’s profile.

The Myths and Legends of the Isle of Skye

The Old Man of Storr is not the only place imbued with Gaelic mythology. Indeed, there are other places on the Isle of Skye where legends were created.

If you drive a little bit, you can explore other landslides such as Quiraing for example. Quiraing is located 20 minutes North of the Old Man of Storr. If you have to choose the Old Man of Storr or Quiraing, you should choose the Old Man of Storr

You can also see waterfalls near the Old Man of Storr. The Fairy Pools are waterfalls one hour South of the Old Man of Storr.

Finally, you can visit the Fairy Glen, a little landslip looking like Quiraing, but on a smaller scale. To get there, you should drive 40 minutes West of the Old Man of Storr.

The Old Man of Storr fun facts

Let’s be real: going to the Old Man of Storr is not something everyone thinks about doing. Indeed, why would you go to a remote island in Scotland just to see a standing rock? Okay, it’s 55 meters high and it’s impressive, but if you are not into rocks, and you do not care about geology, it can be a bit disappointing.

However, there are arguments that will convince you. It’s not because of the rock itself that you should come, but because of the atmosphere around it.

There are lots of fun facts around the Old Man of Storr. Look at them in the next Web Story. It will tell you about the rock formation of the Old Man of Storr. Indeed, the Old Man of Storr was formed after several landslips. Those geological movements created sharp rock formations, with altitude differences.

The Old Man of Storr and movies

The Old Man of Storr inspired lots of artists and movie directors. Indeed, there are lots of paintings of the Old Man of Storr in the world of art.

The Old Man of Storr is also visible in some vies, such as Prometheus. In this prequel to the Alien series, we can clearly see the Old Man of Storr. So, if you want to know Prometheus’ location, check the following video.

Apparently, the Game of Thrones prequel will also feature the Old Man of Storr. This shows that the Old Man of Storr is now becoming famous and that you should not wait to visit it!

This is not the only mystic rock in the world. If you head to Australia, there is Uluru, which is also known for its fascinating formation and the legends around it. It is one of the biggest rocks in the world!

Climbing the Old Man of Storr

To know exactly how to access the Old Man of Storr, and how to hike the trail in order to have the best views, you should read the article I wrote about climbing the Old Man of Storr. You will learn how the ascent to the Old Man of Storr is and what the hike looks like.

Here is a little video giving you a taste of the landscapes.

Can you see the Old Man of Storr from the road?

Now that you know how to access the trailhead, it is wise to wonder whether you can see the Old Man of Storr from the road, or if you need to hike to see it. This is what we are going to discuss. So, can you see the Old Man of Storr from the road?

You can see the Old Man of Storr from the road only when the weather conditions are perfect. And it is in the distance. To have the best views of the Old Man of Storr, you should stop at the car park and hike.

It is also important to keep in mind that weather in Scotland is a bit special, and even more on the Isle of Skye. So do not expect to see the Old Man of Storr from the road. Expect to walk the trail. This way, you will not be disappointed.

The Old Man of Storr accommodations

Scotland is wild in every sense of the term. This means that there are not a lot of accommodations around the Old Man of Storr. However, the best is not only to visit the Old Man of Storr but the whole Isle of Skye. We already mentioned the other places you should see in the first part, such as Fairy Pools, Quiraing, and the Fairy Glen.

The best choice is to find accommodation in the middle of the Isle of Skye, from which you can visit the Old Man of Storr and all the other landscapes of the Isle Of Syke. To do that, you can choose to sleep in the numerous Bed & Breakfasts, such as Morar Bed & Breakfast, or Grashmor Bed & Breakfast. Those are the best types of accommodations to see the Old Man of Storr.

Camping is not really an option on the Isle of Skye because of the poor weather conditions. The wind is usually an issue, just like rain. The temperatures during the summer season are okay to camp, but not the weather. So the best is definitely to sleep in the B&Bs that are relatively cheap.

Where to land?

When traveling in Scotland, your landing options are limited: you can land in Glasgow or Edinburgh. However, this is a good thing because the best way to visit Scotland is by doing a car road trip. So, you can land in one of the two cities mentioned, rent a car, and head to the Isle of Skye.

If road tripping is your thing, then you should definitely read the other articles I wrote about Scotland. I was there back in Summe 2014 and those places were the ones I enjoyed the most during my trip. So I recommend that you read the 3 reasons why Plockton is worth visiting, and how easy it is to climb Ben Nevis.

Contemplating nature’s creations is a hobby for me. Whether it’s the pouring rain that carved this stone or whether there is really a giant sleeping under the isle of Skye, it does not really matter. This is the fun part of the Old Man of Storr legend.

Everyone can grow by watching nature. It helps us to step back and realize who we are. Nature vehiculates emotions that go beyond simple admiration. When it gets spiritual, it’s always for the best. Scotland landscapes are world-class to add this mystic touch to the world.