The Storr / Old Man of Storr — Parking

From the car park

The car park sits directly on the A855 below the Storr, with the path leaving from the top corner. It climbs immediately and steeply — recently rebuilt with stone pitching and boardwalk to cope with the numbers — through the remains of a conifer plantation and up into the amphitheatre of pinnacles beneath the Old Man. Most people reach the classic view of the rock in 45 minutes to an hour; the ground above towards the Storr summit proper is rougher and far less trodden.

The walk

The standard Old Man of Storr walk is around 3.8km return with 300m of ascent — short, but steeper and rockier underfoot than its fame suggests, and slippery in the wet. It leads to the foot of the great leaning pinnacle and the wider Sanctuary of rock towers, one of the defining images of Skye. Strong hillwalkers can continue up steep, loose ground to the true summit of The Storr (719m) for a far quieter and more serious outing with big views over the Sound of Raasay.

Facilities

• Toilets
• Motorhome waste disposal
• Information

Busy times

Relentless in season. The car park fills by 9am on summer days and the pinnacles draw a near-constant stream from sunrise (a photographers' favourite) to sunset. Late April to September is busy every day the weather is halfway decent; tour coaches add to the crush late morning. For any sense of the place's atmosphere, come at first light or in the last couple of hours of daylight, or visit in the October–March shoulder.

Getting here without a car

Genuinely doable without a car — one of the few Skye honeypots that is. The Stagecoach 57A Portree–Staffin–Flodigarry service stops at the Storr car park several times a day in season; from Portree (itself served by Scottish Citylink from Glasgow and Inverness) it is a short hop. Check current Stagecoach Highland timetables, as frequency drops sharply in winter.

Current conditions

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to park at the Old Man of Storr?

As of 1 April 2026 the Storr car park charges £6 for up to 6 hours and £8 for up to 12 hours, payable by cash, card or the RingGo app. There is no overnight parking. The revenue funds the path, toilets and motorhome waste facilities on site.

Can motorhomes park at the Old Man of Storr?

Not in the main car park — it has a height barrier. Marked on-street bays on the A855 are provided for motorhomes and larger vehicles. Do not park on the verges: they are peat-based and the site enforces against verge parking to protect them.

How long is the Old Man of Storr walk?

The classic walk to the pinnacles is about 3.8km return with 300m of ascent, typically 1.5–2 hours. It is short but steep and rocky, and slippery when wet — proper footwear matters. Continuing to the true summit of The Storr (719m) is a much rougher, steeper and more serious extension.

When is the best time to visit the Old Man of Storr?

Sunrise and the last couple of hours of daylight are both quieter and far better for photography, and they dodge the mid-morning coach crowds. April–September is busy every fine day; the October–March shoulder is dramatic and near-empty, but come prepared for ice on the path.

Open in maps

Coordinates: 57.4967, -6.1817