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Placename Quiraing |
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Translation the cattle fold of the pillars. |
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Description The Prėosan, located below the Quiraing, was said to have been used to hide cattle when the area was being attacked from the north by the Vikings. The rock is made up of volcanic basalt which makes it extremely unsuitable for climbers. However, the area attracts thousands of walkers each year and must be seen as one of the best areas in Skye to enjoy a walk within easy reach of the main road. (See Prėosan, am Bord and an t-Snāthad). 'On charraig ro bhrist' aig tųs dubh an domhain a dh'fhag a' chreag uaigneach am follais san Stōr, Tha ceumanan fhuamhairean leantail gu h-ārd 'nan staidhr' am bārr na Cuithe-Fhrainge'. Local people used to gain summer employment by providing a guide service for visitors to the Quiraing. Malcolm Ferguson records in his book Rambles in Skye 1882 the following detail 'After a drive of other 7 or 8 miles, we reached the point where the footpath for the Quiraing strikes off the carriage road, and there we found a regiment of guides in waiting, and a more rustic, arab-looking squad we had rarely ever seen before, of various ages and sizes, from the barefooted, bonnetless, kiltied laddie, to the weather beaten, wrinkled, hard-featured old man of three score or more, none of whom could speak a syllable of English. The only words they seem to have mastered so far, was twa shillians, twa shillians. The oldest man, when he observed one of our party making a halt to gaze around one of the most striking scenes of the kind to be seen in the three kingdoms, had always the same stereotyped phrase Fery preety whatever. We had been repeatedly advised not to engage them, as they were usually considered regular pests, so we refused to engage any of them. However, the whole squad joined our party, probably guessing that before we proceeded very far their service and assistance might be gladly accepted, which turned out to be quite correct'. In 1872 the ex-Empress of the French and her son, the Prince Imperial, visited Skye and both managed to walk to the Quiraing as part of their visit. |
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Area Quiraing |
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OS Grid Ref 4512 6936 |