Isle of Skye - Mineral Localities

This area of "enchanted scenery" with its unique and atmospheric views of rock formations
and pinnacles is one of the premier, natural attractions on the Isle of Skye.

It is located in the north-east of the island, north of Portree, on the Trotternish Peninsula.
Access to the area is via the route which connects Uig and Staffin. At The Quiraing, Jurassic sediments are covered by Tertiary basalt lava flows. The panoramas of rock formations that greet the visitor are the result of subsequent weathering on these rocks by natural forces.

The Quiraing is also an area which can supply interesting specimens of zeolite minerals. Since this is a classic, and consequently, well-trodden, Skye mineral locality, specimen quality may vary.

Nevertheless, it it well worth a visit, both for its scenery and for its minerals.

Minerals recorded at The Quiraing include: analcime, chabazite, mesolite, levynite, pectolite, stilbite, thomsonite.

Though analcime and chabazite are found more regularly, perhaps the thomsonite occurs as the more interesting specimens.

The Quiraing, Isle of Skye.

Sligachan

This locality is a popular starting point for treks and mountaineering trips to the nearby Cuillen Hills and surrounding areas.
It is also the point where the main road from the south of the island diverges.

One can continue northwards towards Portree and the Trotternish Peninsula or choose the route North-west towards the mineral localities of Talisker Bay and those farther north in the Dunvegan area.

The quarry site near Sligachan has recently revealed numerous micro-sized minerals including albite, calcite, chrysocolla, djurleite, epidote, epistilbite, malachite, mesolite, orthoclase, prehnite, pumpellyite.

Edinbane

Edinbane is located between Portree and Dunvegan on the A850.

Roadcuts on this route and on by-pass around the village of Edinbane, such as at Black Hill, are possible sites to investigate zeolite mineral occurences.

Minerals recorded from this area include calcite, chabazite, erionite, heulandite, stellerite, stilbite.

Of particular note have been the stellerite found here and the small, but very good, erionite micro-crystals occuring in small and apparently vacant basalt amygdules.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A special thanks to Fabrizio Frattini for the permission to publish his photographs and making this page possible.

A special thanks also to Dave McCallum & Mike Wood.

above - Main road near Edinbane.
(F.Frattini photo).