Elgol

It is said that Elgol got its name after a warrior called Aella fought a battle against the Picts and the Scots there. Aella-gol became shortened to Elgol. Whatever the truth of the matter, the fact remains that the view from Elgol towards the Black Cuillins is one of the finest views on Skye and you don't have to be a fit person to get to Elgol, you can drive all the way.

Elgol. The larger building on the shore is the village school. Click to enlarge the photo. It is one of the best views on Skye

From Elgol it is possible to take a boat trip along Loch Scavaig to the wild and remote Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Black Cuillins.

The link above will take you to the official boat trip site, but we would recommend this sail to anyone and we have our own pictures and comments on this page.

Loch Coruisk is, without doubt, the most remote loch on Skye. It can only be approached by the following methods. Firstly there is the motor boat from Elgol. Secondly it is possible to access it by a horrendously long walk along Glen Sligachan from the Sligachan Hotel. The round trip on foot must be about 14 miles.

Lastly it can be approached from Camasunary via the horrendously dangerous Bad step.

Loch Coruisk has always been regarded, by mountaineers and environmentalists alike as a holy of holies. Its utter and complete remoteness from anywhere ensures that its beauty will remain undisturbed.

For those young enough and fit enough, and by this, I really mean mountaineers, it is possible to ascend the Black Cuillins from Glenbrittle and have an eagle's eye view of the loch from the top of Sgurr na Banachdich. The view is stupendous, but it requires extremely severe mountain walking to get there. The right hand end of the loch is where the previous photo was taken.

I apologise for the quality of the photograph. Like the photographer, it is getting rather old. I wonder if I will never get up there again?

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