Old Man of Storr stone spire, Isle of Skye, Scotland

A Scottish stone spire

Everything feels ancient here in the far northwest of Scotland—and indeed it is. If you believe the legends, the stone pillar before us is the thumb of a giant who died in this spot long ago. Meanwhile, geologists tell of a different sort of long-dead giant: The extinct volcanic complex that formed this part of the Isle of Skye tens of millions of years ago. Its lava tubes and magma deposits eventually cooled and eroded to form the rugged terrain we see today. Whichever origin story you prefer, this rock formation is now known as the Old Man of Storr— referring to the Storr, a massive hill that rises directly behind us.