Quiraing

Coordinates: 57°38′37″N 6°15′55″W / 57.64361°N 6.26528°W / 57.64361; -6.26528

Quiraing (Meall na Suiramach)

Quiraing
Highest point
Elevation 543 m (1,781 ft)
Listing Marilyn
Naming
Translation Round Fold (Old Norse)
Geography
Location Trotternish, Skye, Scotland
OS grid NG446695
Topo map Ordnance Survey Landranger 23

The Quiraing is a landslip on the eastern face of Meall na Suiramach, the northernmost summit of the Trotternish on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The whole of the Trotternish Ridge escarpment was formed by a great series of landslips; the Quiraing is the only part of the slip still moving, the road at its base, near Flodigarry, requires repairs each year.

Parts of the distinctive landscape have earned particular names. The Needle is a jagged 120-foot (37 m) high landmark pinnacle, a remnant of landslipping. Northwest of it is The Table, a flat grassy area slipped down from the summit plateau, with vistas of the Torridon Hills and the mountains of Wester Ross. Southwest is the Prison, a pyramidal rocky peak which can look like a medieval keep when viewed from the right angle - the ascent of this is an airy scramble.

Quiraing (in Gaelic, Cuith-Raing) comes from Old Norse Kvi Rand, which means Round Fold. Within the fold is The Table, an elevated plateau hidden amongst the pillars. It is said that the fold was used to conceal cattle from Viking raiders.

View from Quiraing to the Staffin Bay
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