This is important stuff on you need to know before you book…
For more details call 0141 352 7912.
By purchasing a ticket you accept the risks involved in participating in this event. The Storr involves a strenuous nightime walk on a path that climbs almost 1500 feet. Even in summer the weather can suddenly become cold, wet and windy.
For safety and comfort audience members need to be reasonably fit and need to have waterproof clothing and sturdy boots. Children aged 16 or under must be accompanied by a responsible adult; there should be one adult for each child of 11 and under; babies and toddlers cannot be admitted.
• By purchasing a ticket you accept the risks involved in participating in this event.
• The Storr involves a strenuous nightime walk on a path that climbs
almost 1500 feet.
• Even in summer the weather can suddenly become cold, wet and windy.
• For safety and comfort you need to be reasonably fit and need to have waterproof clothing and sturdy boots.
• Children aged 16 or under must be accompanied by a responsible adult; there should be one adult for each child of 11 and under; babies and toddlers cannot be admitted. 9EG (walk-in)
We highly recommend that you book your accommodation prior to booking tickets.
There are two pick up points for points for the event, one in Portree and
one in Staffin. You will be dropped off at either Portree or Staffin in the
wee small hours and you will have to make your own way home, so be sure to
bear this in mind when choosing your accommodation.
Event dates:
1 August – 17 September, Mondays to Saturdays
Event arrangements:
22.30, first bus run from An Tuireann, Portree
22.45, buses depart Staffin Community Hall
23.00, second bus run from An Tuireann, Portree
Event tickets:
£25, full price
£20, concession
(student, unwaged, senior citizen, disabled)
£12.50, child (16 and under)
Group discounts:
tenth ticket free with every nine purchased
group bookings can only be made through Aros
Booking arrangements:
www.nva.org.uk
01478 613750 (phone/postal)
Aros, Viewfield Road, Portree,
Skye, IV51 9EG (walk-in)
• By purchasing a ticket you accept the risks involved in participating in this event.
• The Storr involves a strenuous nightime walk on a path that climbs
almost 1500 feet.
• Even in summer the weather can suddenly become cold, wet and windy.
• For safety and comfort you need to be reasonably fit and need to have waterproof clothing and sturdy boots.
• Children aged 16 or under must be accompanied by a responsible adult; there should be one adult for each child of 11 and under; babies and toddlers cannot be admitted. 9EG (walk-in)
• Pets will not be admitted on the walk
In the interest of health and safety, in extreme weather conditions
the walk may be cancelled.
If this is the case tickets holders will be offered another date to do the
walk or will be eligible
for a full refund.
The Storr will run for six nights a week (Monday to Saturday), from 1st August till 17th September 2005. Each night audience members will check in by a specified time, between 10.30 and 11pm, at either An Tuireann arts centre in Portree, or Staffin Community Hall. They will be assigned to a group of around 25, and given an introduction to the event and safety briefing by an expert guide. A Gaelic-language introduction will be available for audience members checking in at 10.30pm in Portree.
Each group will then board a coach or minibus which will take them to the start of the walk up to the Old Man of Storr and back again. Roughly two hours later, between 1.00am and 2.00am, the coaches/minibuses will pick everyone up and deliver them back to Portree or Staffin once more, from where they make their own way home.
AccommodationThere are 2 pick up/drop off points in Portree and Staffin.
Bearing in mind you will be returning to the drop off points in the wee small
hours you may want to factor in total travel times from The Storr to your
accommodation.
Listed below are suggested local accommodation providers in the North Trotternish
area with links to ones further afield in Skye. A nice thing would be to tell
the accommodation provider which night/s you will be participating in The
Storr event, so that they can make arrangements for your return in the early
hours of the morning.
Skye tends to be very busy during the summer months, so you are advised
to book early in order to avoid disappointment.
Uig – Staffin, 30mins
Uig – Portree, 30 mins
Broadford – Portree, 40 mins
Kilmuir – Staffin, 40 mins
Ferry Inn,
Uig, IV51 9XP
01478 611216
ferry.inn@btopenworld.com
(from £26pppn bed only)
The Glenview Hotel,
Culnacnoc, Staffin,
Isle of Skye, IV51 9JH
01470 562248
enquiries@glenviewskye.co.uk
www.glenviewskye.co.uk
(£25-35 pppn)
Uig Hotel,
Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9YE
01470 542 205
manager_uighotel@hotmail.com
www.uighotel.com
(£42.50 –125 pppn)
Ard-na-Mara,
Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9XU
01470 542281
BurlandSkye@aol.com
(£25 pppn)
Cnoc Preasach,
Glennhinisdale, Snizort, by Portree,
Isle of Skye, IV51 9UY
01470 542406
(£15-24 pppn)
Gairloch View Bed and Breakfast,
3 Digg, Staffin, Isle of Skye, IV51 9LA
01470 562718
mairino3@aol.com
www.gairlochview.co.uk
(£20-22 pppn, reductions for children)
Kilmuir House,
Kilmuir, Isle of Skye, IV51 9YN
01470 542262
phelpskilmuirhouseskye@btinternet.com
www.kilmuir-skye.co.uk
(2D, 1 Triple) (£20 pppn)
Laurelbank,
Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9XP
01470 542304
info@laurelbank.co.uk
www.laurelbank.co.uk
(£25 pppn)
Leabank,
10 Digg, Staffin, Isle of Skye, IV51
01470 562357
bookings@leabank.co.uk
(£20 pppn)
Orasay,
14 Idrigill, Uig, IV51 9XU
01470 542316
david@orasay-uig.freeserve.co.uk
(£22.50-24.50)
Quiraing View,
Digg, Staffin, Isle of Skye, IV51 9LA
01470 562388
quiraingview@aol.com
(£22-25 pppn)
Woodbine House,
Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9XP
01470 542243
(25pppn)
SELF CATERING
Brescalan Cottage,
3 Borve, by Portree,
Isle of Skye, IV51 9PE
01470 532425
susan@brescalan.co.uk
www.brescalan.co.uk
(sleeps 2-6, disabled access)
(£295-410 pw)
Carn Ban,
1 Garafad, Staffin,
Isle of Skye, IV51 9JT
0870 870 4474; 07971 950126
info@skye-holiday-home.co.uk
www.skye-holiday-home.co.uk
(sleeps 6-8) (£350-650 pw)
Gairloch View Self Catering
3 Digg, Staffin, Isle of Skye, IV51 9LA
01470 562718
mairino3@aol.com
www.gairlochview.co.uk
(2 cottages, each sleeps 4) (£260-320)
Garybuie Apartment,
Glenhinnisdal, Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9UX
01470 542310
garybuie@btopenworld.com
(sleeps 2-4) (£260-320 pw)
Scottish Youth Hostel,
Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9YD
01470 542211
uig@syha.org.uk
www.syha.org.uk
(sleeps 62) (£10.50 pppn)
Staffin Campsite Holiday Cottage,
Staffin, Isle of Skye, IV51 9JX
01470 562213
bookings@staffincampsite.co.uk
www.staffincampsite.co.uk
(sleeps 2-4) (£220-300 pw)
CAMPSITES
2 Connista,
Isle of Skye
contact Donald Maclean;
01470 552265
Donconnista@aol.com
(1 caravan, sleep up to 4) (£160 pw)
Orasay Holiday Caravans,
14 Idrigill, Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9XU
Contact David & Angela Williams;
01470 542316
david@orasay-uig.freeserve.co.uk
(several caravans, sleep up to 6) (£100-325 pw)
Staffin Caravan and Campsite,
Staffin, Isle of Skye, IV51 9JX
Contact Mrs Norma Macleod Young
01470 562213
bookings@staffincampsite.co.uk
(£5 – 11 pn)
Uig Campsite,
10 Idrigill, Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9XU
Contact Martin Madigan
01470 542714
lisa.madigan@btopenworld.com
(22 caravans, 40 tents)
Looking further afield, you may find the following websites useful in providing
information about accommodation elsewhere in Skye.
www.isleofskye.com
www.isleofskye.com
www.isleofskye.net
www.isleofskye.net
www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/skye-accommodation.htm
www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/skye-accommodation.htm
www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/isleofskye.php
www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/isleofskye.php
www.skye-hotels.co.uk
www.skye-hotels.co.uk
www.visithighlands.com
www.visithighlands.com
What (not) to wear!
Swimwear!
No matter how good the weather has been, you must either wear or carry warm and waterproof clothing. You will also need sturdy boots which provide support for your ankles. We recommend that you bring a small backpack with a spare jumper, hat and gloves. Other useful items include walking poles, midge cream, and a flask with a hot drink. Everyone will be provided with a small head torch at the beginning of the walk – to be returned at the end.
Frequently asked questions…
How long will the walk take?
Roughly one-and-a-half hours if you’re reasonably fit; and around two
hours if you choose to walk at a slower pace, stop for a rest at certain points,
or spend a while experiencing the lights and sounds along the way. There is
a ‘respite’ area at the top of the Storr Woods, with toilet facilities
and space to stop and look at the views.
How fit will I need to be?
You need to be able to walk a distance of at least a couple of miles and deal
with a fairly rapid ascent of around 1500 feet without getting into difficulties.
You also need to be prepared to cope with wind and rain on parts of the hillside
which are fairly exposed. The fitter you are, and the more used you are to
hillwalking in Scotland, the better you will be able to enjoy the event.
Is the event suitable for children?
The same advice about fitness, stamina and general hardiness applies to children.
They need to be able to handle the experience of being outdoors in unfamiliar
surroundings at night, and to observe audience guidelines such as walking
quietly, staying on the path, etc. Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied
by a responsible adult; and there should be one adult for each child of 11
and under.For reasons of safety, we cannot admit toddlers or babies in backpacks.
Is the route suitable for people with disabilities?
The path is rough and steep in parts, so it is not suitable for anyone with
walking difficulties. People with visual or hearing impairment will not be
able to experience all aspects of the event, but may still find much to enjoy.
For more specific advice phone 0141 352 7912.
Will there be any assistance if someone is finding the walk difficult?
There will be a number of trained guides walking the route with the audience,
as well as additional staff on the hillside who can provide help, support
and advice. They will have access to first aid equipment, and emergency back-up
if required.
What sort of clothing and equipment will I need?
No matter how good the weather has been, you must either wear or carry warm
and waterproof clothing. You will also need sturdy boots which provide support
for your ankles. We recommend that you bring a small backpack with a spare
jumper, hat and gloves. Other useful items include walking poles, midge cream,
and a flask with a hot drink. Everyone will be provided with a small headtorch
at the beginning of the walk – to be returned at the end.
Will refreshments be available?
Cafés will be open at the check-in centres in both Portree and Staffin,
selling a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks.
What is the weather like at that time of year?
Extremely variable and unpredictable. Mist and rain are commonplace on Skye,
and there is the possibility of snow on the hills in any month of the year.
What happens if the event is cancelled?
Even if the weather is bad, it may well be possible to walk roughly two-thirds
of the route, and enjoy a slightly reduced version of the event. However gales
or particularly severe weather may mean that the event has to be cancelled
– in which case every effort will be made to contact all ticket-holders
by 9pm that evening. Information will also be posted at the check-in centres
and other community facilities in north Skye; and will be available by phoning
0141 352 7912. Cancelled event tickets will be refunded.
Can I make my own way to the start of the walk?
No: everyone must go through the check-in process at either Portree or Staffin,
and proceed to the Storr by coach/minibus. There are no parking facilities
at the site, and we need to keep the roadside clear in order to provide space
for coaches to draw in, and access for other vehicles in case of emergencies.
We also want to minimise car pollution, and late-night travel on single track
roads.
nva appreciates profoundly the confidence of individuals and organisations
who share its values and support its artistic vision and extends warm thanks
to those who have made The Storr possible.
.
“NESTA exists to support innovation, and we invested in nva to champion
the interaction of cutting edge creativity and natural heritage to a national
and international audience. It is important to show that it is possible to
produce unique creative work in remote areas that can be made accessible to
the public without damaging the local environment. The portable lighting system,
developed by nva with NESTA’s investment, has a crucial role to play
in this.". Mark White, Director of NESTA’s Invention and Innovation
ProgrammePublic Investors
Public Investors
International Events EventScotlandProgramme Manager, David Lloyd commented:
“We are very pleased to support such an innovative programme which has the potential to drive a significant increase in tourism revenue for the Isle of Skye. It will no doubt bring a new appeal to the international visitor who is keen to experience dramatic parts of Scotland in a totally different and unique way.”
NESTA
www.nesta.org.uk
Scottish Arts Council
www.scottisharts.org.uk
Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund
Big lottery fund
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Event scotland
www.eventscotland.org
Fresh futures
www.fresh-futures.org.uk
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
www.hie.co.uk
Heritage Lottery Fund
www.hlf.org.uk
Highland Council
www.highland.gov.uk
Highland 2007
www.highland2007.com
Leader+ WISL
www.wisl.org.uk
Leader+ North Highland
www.highland.gov.uk/cx/service_management/cxoffice/policy_unit/leader+.htm
Scottish executive
www.scotland.gov.uk
Skye and lochalsh enterprise
www.hie.co.uk/sale
Trusts and Foundations
Esmee fairbairn
www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk
Dunard Fund
Commercial Partners
Petzl
www.petzl.com
www.visithighlands.com
www.visithighlands.com
Sabhal Mor Ostaig
www.smo.uhi.ac.uk
An Tuireann
www.antuireann.org.uk
Aros
www.aros.com