Geography Teaching Today

In this lesson we emerge from underground and in contrast, visit and describe the characteristics of a Scottish mountain environment.

Key question:

• What is it like to visit Skye?

Key Concepts:
Place
Cultural understanding and diversity

What is it like to visit Skye?
The Isle of Skye is one of the few remaining unspoiled areas of Europe and some say the most "alpine-like" and rugged mountain range in Great Britain. This is The Cuillin, with dramatic peaks, vertical faces and precipitous ridges. At the same latitude, 57 degrees North, as ice-bound locations such as Hudson Bay and central Russia it could be presumed to be very cold and bleak, with long, hard winters. Skye's climate however owes its mildness to the presence of the warm waters from the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is one of the strongest ocean currents in the world. It moves warm water from the Gulf of Mexico north into the Atlantic and eventually flows up the western side of Scotland, keeping the sea temperate and the climate mild, allowing tropical plants such as palm trees to flourish. There is often no snow in winter.

Click on an activity:
Starter
Main activity
Plenary