Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is the most photographed landmark on the Isle of Skye, a striking 50-metre pinnacle of rock that has become an emblem of Scotland's wild beauty. Rising from the dramatic landscape of the Trotternish Ridge, this ancient volcanic plug and its surrounding rock formations create a scene so otherworldly that it has featured in countless films, from Prometheus to Snow White and the Huntsman.

The pinnacle is the remains of an ancient volcanic landscape, shaped by a massive landslip that created the bizarre rock formations surrounding it. The Old Man himself stands sentinel over the Sound of Raasay, his craggy profile visible for miles. Local legend tells that the Old Man was a giant who, upon being buried on the hillside, left his thumb protruding from the earth - and there it remains to this day.

The hike to the base of the Old Man takes about 45 minutes from the car park and rewards walkers with increasingly spectacular views. The path can be steep and muddy, but the sight of these ancient rocks emerging from the mist - or silhouetted against a clear blue sky - is unforgettable. On clear days, the panorama extends across the sea to the Scottish mainland and the Outer Hebrides.