Loch Coruisk

Loch Coruisk - A Source of Inspiration

Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin Hills

Skye is famous for its local music and culture, and probably the most famous song which mentions the island is "The Skye Boat Song". Few, however, realise that there is a direct connection between the Skye Boat Song and Loch Coruisk for it was whilst being rowed along Loch Coruisk on a trip to the Isle of Skye during the 1790s that Miss Annie MacLeod first heard the Gaelic air "Cuchag nan Craobh" being sung by the rowers. Miss MacLeod wrote down the music as she remembered it and the lyrics were later added by Sir Harold Boulton.

Loch Coruisk is also the scene of one of JMW Turner's paintings, and a focus of the writings of Sir Walter Scott and Boswell and Johnson who were all struck with the beauty of the area while they travelled the Scottish Hebrides. Many have visited Loch Coruisk over the years, especially following the visit of Sir Walter Scott as a result of his famous description of the Loch.

With a history like that, who knows what artistic achievements you may be inspired to accomplish during your visit!

The Loch Coruisk Memorial Hut

The Loch Coruisk Memorial Hut

The only building near Loch Coruisk is the "Loch Coruisk Memorial Hut" which lies about 100 metres from the landing steps at Loch na Cuilce. The hut was built in 1959 by Lachie Mackinnon, father of Misty Isle skipper, Seumas. Seumas' earliest memories of Loch Coruisk were the days he and his father would camp for a few nights at a time during the building of the hut, and of being at the opening of the hut as a youngster.

This was to be the beginning of a life-long love of the Loch and only 8 years later, in 1967, Seumas began running boat trips from Elgol to Loch Coruisk for the many tourists keen to visit the area.

For pictures of the Loch Coruisk Memorial Hut and to find out more about it, click here.