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All the United Kingdom Scotland Isle of Skye Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls

Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls

Ancient cliffs resembling a kilt on Scotland's second largest island emit an entrancing sound.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

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Clinton
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Kilt Rock   http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nt9c0...
A view from the cliff of the coast below.   http://flickr.com/photos/98833136@N00/1271...
Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock   http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/129589
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls as seen from Rubha nam Brathairean   http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1266635
Mealt Falls   Dominikus / Atlas Obscura User
  rebeccaclyde / Atlas Obscura User
Kilt Rock   gslohr / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  coljay72 / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  coljay72 / Atlas Obscura User
  Rachel Preskitt / Atlas Obscura User
  annacostarowan / Atlas Obscura User
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About

On the Inner Hebridean Isle of Skye are two spectacular sights, both visible from the same observation point on the Trotternish Peninsula.

One of these is the magnificent 90 meter Kilt Rock, which looks strikingly similar to a pleated kilt. Made up of basalt columns resting on a sandstone base, one might even say that the colors of the rock formation appear almost tartan.

The other point of interest is the Mealt waterfall, which, fed from nearby Mealt Loch, plummets from the top of the cliffs to the rock-laden coast below.

Beyond these visual treats there is also an aural element to the site. When a strong wind is blowing while one observes the sights, a beautiful yet haunting tone appears to come from the surrounding area. Disguised, the instrument emitting the eerie noise is actually the fencing that surrounds the lookout point. Holes facing the sea allow wind in to the piping, turning the safety feature into an organ of sorts to accompany the breathtaking views off the north-eastern coast of Skye.

On clear days, the Isle of Lewis and even mainland Scotland can be seen from the Trotternish Peninsula. About 17 km north of Portree, up Staffin Road, and just 2 km shy of Staffin, the observation point can be found.

Related Tags

Natural Wonders Cliffs Geological Oddities Music Optical Oddities Geology Nature

Know Before You Go

Take Staffin Rd. from Portree, Kilt Rock is near Mealt Loch and Elishader about 15 km north of Portree, and 2 km south of Staffin.

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Community Contributors

Added By

Clinton

Edited By

gslohr, annacostarowan, Collector of Experiences, Rachel Preskitt...

  • gslohr
  • annacostarowan
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Rachel Preskitt
  • Dominikus
  • rebeccaclyde
  • coljay72

Published

January 25, 2010

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Sources
  • http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/~mark/blog/2009/09/kilt-rock-and-singing-fence.html
  • http://www.panoramicearth.com/4462/Skye/Mealt_Waterfall_and_Kilt_Rock
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skye
  • http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1266635
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kilt+Rock+and+Mealt+Falls+Viewpoint/@57.6110415,-6.1764274,16.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x488dd1de9b803627:0xac8cc6c1e18e7218!8m2!3d57.6107868!4d-6.1719475
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Isle of Skye, Scotland, IV51
United Kingdom
57.610636, -6.172385

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