The Storr

The Storr ('An Stòr' in Gaelic) is a Norse word, appropriately meaning high steep pinnacle. The first geological gem of note on the Ridge is Bodach an Stòr. The 'Old Man of Storr' is really the symbol of Trotternish, and it is visible 15 miles south of the pinnacle. Bodach an Stòr is composed of magma derived gabbro. The rocks in this locality are of the Tertiary period (the volcanic era) but the pinnacles on the ridge came later. The Storr pinnacle was subjected to a combination of landslipage and subsequent erosion which occurred in the post Ice Age. The Old Man has been left standing because of the more durable composition of its geology - in relation to its surroundings which were more susceptible to erosion. Hence its age is certainly within 20,000 years (post-glacial).