The Fairy Pools

The Fairy Pools are among Skye's best known landmarks, making them one of the more crowded places we visited. They consist of a series of natural pools and waterfalls surrounded by mountains. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. The Fairy Pools were definitely one of the highlights of the trip -- a photographer's paradise! I'm glad we got to see them. Sometimes, the tour guide skips them because of the crowds.

It was an adventurous 1.5 mile hike via a path and bridges to see the fairy pools and all that was around them. I walked with Sam. We ended up being the last ones to return to the van. We were late. We always had limited time to explore a place. The driver/guide came looking for us. He was worried something might have happened to us. I guess we took too much time to enjoy the scenery.

Cuillin Mountains

The path

Me at Fairy Pools

Series of waterfalls

Turquoise water

Beautiful rock pools

Gaelic folklore describes the area beneath the Black Cuillin mountains as a place where the boundary between the human world and the fairy realm is very thin. Legend says fairies swam and bathed in these bright blue waters.  Another local tale says a chief of Clan MacLeod married a fairy princes. Some stories say selkies—mythical seal-folk who can shed their skins to turn human—come to the pools at night to bathe under the light of the full moon

Pools, falls, and mountains

Hidden pool

It was a formidable walk.

In 1601, the peaceful glen hosted a bloody battle between rival clans -- the MacLeods and the MacDonalds. Legend says the waters ran red with blood during the fight.

Mountain spring water

Wild swimming hole -- frigid waters!

Clear water

Tall mountain