Hill of Three Stones

About Hill of Three Stones

Located on the iconic Trotternish Ridge, this sprawling moorland summit provides a quieter perspective of Skye’s geological wonders. Positioned between the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, the hill offers an expansive platform to view the basaltic escarpments and the sound toward the mainland mountains of Applecross and Torridon.

Key Statistics

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Did You Know?

• •The name is a direct translation of the Gaelic Cnoc nan Trì Clach. Local tradition suggests the stones marked a historic tribal boundary or gathering point, though they are now indistinguishable from the various basalt boulders scattered across the plateau.
• •It sits on the long, high-level traverse of the Trotternish Ridge. While many walkers focus on the Old Man of Storr, this summit provides the necessary elevation to appreciate the full scale of the landslip that created Skye’s most famous landscapes.
• •To the north, the jagged pinnacles of the Quiraing are clearly visible, while looking east across the Sound of Raasay, the dramatic peaks of the Applecross peninsula and the Torridon hills dominate the horizon.
• •The ascent involves crossing classic Skye terrain—a mix of wet peat hags and resilient heather—before reaching the firmer, wind-scoured grassy plateau of the summit.
• •Finding the three specific stones from which the hill takes its name is a local rite of passage that usually ends with the realization that there are either hundreds of stones or none at all, depending on the visibility.