29/05/04 - The Needle, Prison and Table.

We'd parked up last night at the base of the Cuillin Hills and we
decided that the keen walkers who showed up nice and early were a bit
too eager to slog up these impressive mountains for a complete
white-out and no chance of a view. I guess it is just a matter of
opinion, but we are fair weather walkers - so there was no chance that
we were tempted to join them. There has got to be alot more stuff on
the island that will actually provide a view!!
Hence we were of to the northern side of the island, via Portree to
stock up on a few things, then onto the 'geological eccentric' (guide
book's description) Trotternish Peninsula.
The guide book certainly was not lying; the rock formations everywhere
were amazing. There were lots of towering cliffs, rock columns jutting
out, and a waterfall dropping 100 metres straight into the sea.
We decided that taking all this in from the road just doesn't cut it,
so headed cross country (without the van) for the Quiraing; a
labyrinth of cliffs and pinnacles all bunched in together and great
fun to clamber around in. We did find the Needle and the Table, but
are not 100% sure if we found the Prison, we did find an area totally
surrounded by cliffs - I guess that could have been the Prison?
The weather seems to be improving tonight - fingers crossed the
elusive Scottish sun will grace us with its presence again tomorrow!!