Image copyright of Paul Zizka photography  http://www.zizka.ca/

How much do you know about the mountains of Skye   Part 1

Question 1.
The picture above is one of Canada's classic views, Mt Victoria looking from Lake Louise in Alberta. What is the link between this view and the Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye,Scotland?

                   1.  Queen Victoria visited both areas in 1881.
Answer     2.  One climber named Mt Victoria and peaks in the Cuillin.      
                    3.  Both ranges are near the sea.
                    4.  Both mountain ranges have active glaciers nearby.

Norman Collie made the first ascent of Mt Victoria and also named the mountain. Collie climbed all over the world but held the Canadian Rockies and the Cuillin mountains of Skye in the highest regard.Collie also named and made first ascents of peaks on the Cuillin.

Question 2.

The Cuillin mountains of Skye are split in to two separate ranges. What are they known as?

                         1.         The Big Cuillin and the Wee Cuillin
Answer           2.         The Black Cuillin and the Red Cuillin        
                         3.          The Clear Cuillin and the Misty Cuillin
                         4.          The Smooth Cuillin and the Jaggy Cuillin.

Question 3.
Who was the first Scottish professional mountain Guide who climbed mostly in the Cuillin?

                 1.  Tom Weir
                 2.  Hamish Macinnes
Answer   3. John Mackenzie ( pictured above)
                  4. W.A.Poucher

Question 4.
This is a picture of a famous rock formation on the Cuillin called the Cioch.
In which Holywood movie did a swordfight take place on top of this rock?

                  1.   Braveheart
Answer    2.  Highlander
                  3.  Kidnapped
                  4.  Rob Roy

In 1906 the Cioch was discovered by Norman Collie, and was named
by his guide from Skye, John Mackenzie. The rock was used for a scene in the film Highlander where Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert engaged in a swordfight on top of it.

Question 5

How many Hydro poles were recently removed near the old bridge at Sligachan to improve the environment and make way for a sculpture to celebrate two early pioneers of the Cuillin.

                    1.   2 Hydro poles

   Answer   2.   4 Hydro poles

                     3.  3 Hydro poles

                     4.  1 Hydro pole      

The Collie Mackenzie Sculpture Group, a Skye community group, instigated the removal of these poles to improve the environment at Sligachan. If you have ever taken a photograph of the Cuillin from the old bridge,check the new view and see the huge difference the removal of the poles has made.