Am Basteir Mountain
Sharp Cuillin ridge pinnacle on Skye, climbing route
A rocky pinnacle on Skye's Black Cuillin, Am Basteir attracts climbers and scramblers for exposed ridges, technical rock routes and close views of the Cuillin massif.
Am Basteir at a Glance#
How to Get to Am Basteir#
From Portree, drive north on the A855 toward Staffin (about 25-30 minutes). Park at the Staffin car park near the A855 and follow the signposted path onto the Trotternish Ridge. The walk to the main viewpoints takes 1-2 hours depending on pace and weather. There is limited public transport: a local bus runs between Portree and Staffin but services are infrequent.
Tips for Visiting Am Basteir#
- Approach the Trotternish Ridge from Staffin and park early - morning light sharpens the basalt columns and usually beats the mid-day wind.
- Bring a windproof layer; the ridge catches gusts even on calm days and the final scramble to viewpoints can be exposed.
- Stick to marked paths - the ground around the pinnacles is fragile and erosion is ongoing; keep dogs on a lead.
Best Time to Visit Am Basteir#
Best visited in the late spring to early autumn for accessibility and clearer weather; winter brings frequent storms and deep snow which make the ridge hazardous.
Weather & Climate near Am Basteir#
Am Basteir's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 13°C. Heavy rainfall (2736 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 3° | -6° | 313 mm | overcast | 87% | 12.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.1h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 3° | -6° | 211 mm | overcast | 87% | 12.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.2h |
| March | Poor | 0° - 4° | -5° | 257 mm | overcast | 86% | 11.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 1° - 6° | -2° | 152 mm | overcast | 85% | 9.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.1h |
| May | Poor | 4° - 10° | 2° | 132 mm | overcast | 84% | 8.7 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 16.4h |
| June | Poor | 6° - 12° | 5° | 141 mm | overcast | 85% | 8.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 17.6h |
| July | Poor | 8° - 13° | 11° | 160 mm | overcast | 87% | 8.0 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.0h |
| August | Poor | 8° - 13° | 11° | 185 mm | overcast | 87% | 8.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.0h |
| September | Poor | 6° - 11° | 4° | 266 mm | overcast | 87% | 9.5 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 4° - 8° | 0° | 298 mm | overcast | 86% | 11.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.1h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 5° | -4° | 311 mm | overcast | 86% | 12.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.8h |
| December | Poor | 0° - 4° | -5° | 310 mm | overcast | 87% | 11.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.4h |
