Quiraing
Encyclopedia
Escarpment
An escarpment is a steep slope or long cliff that occurs from erosion or faulting and separates two relatively level areas of differing elevations.-Description and variants:...
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
Flodigarry
Flodigarry is a scattered settlement on the north east side of the Trotternish peninsula on the island of Skye, and is in the Scottish council area of Highland....
requires repairs each year.
Parts of the distinctive landscape have earned particular names. The Needle is a jagged 120 feet (36.6 m) high landmark pinnacle, a remnant of landslipping
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
. Northwest of it is The Table, a flat grassy area slipped down from the summit plateau, with vistas of the Torridon Hills
Torridon Hills
The Torridon Hills surround Torridon village in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The name is usually applied to the mountains to the north of Glen Torridon...
and the mountains of Wester Ross
Wester Ross
is a western area of Ross and Cromarty in Scotland, notably containing the villages on the west coast such as:* Lochcarron* Applecross* Shieldaig* Torridon* Kinlochewe * * * Aultbea* Laide* Ullapool* Achiltibuie...
. Southwest is the Prison, a pyramidal rocky peak which can look like a medieval keep
Keep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
when viewed from the right angle - the ascent of this is an airy scramble.