Fairies and far off islands

Ready to climb the big mountain, not.
This one takes 7 hours just to get to the top.

Fairy Pools

Testing out the water temperature
at Fairy Pools

We meet Wally the Schnauzer
(who is here on holidays from Germany)

Today’s snack is boiled eggs,
don’t be fooled into thinking we are healthy eaters
 there is a lot of chocolate back at base

Happy Fairies

Fairy Pools we saw some guy
get stuck down here and he had
to rock climb out 

Can't get enough of this heather 

Down the coast from Neist Point

Neist Point, there is a lighthouse
right at the end and the day
was so clear we could see out all the
way to the Herbridies (more islands)

Another Skye traffic hazard

Working on my
Scottish sun tan

The tour organiser has officially planned a rest day, a trip to Fairy Pools, then maybe a side trip, then back to the cottage to soak up some rays.

10 minutes down the road, a stone bridge appears, quick right turn, parked and we are off the plan already. On the move again and so is everyone else today we are driving along the back of the biggest mountain range called the Cullins and every serious bushwalker (what do they call them here?) is out with big boots, bigger packs and walking sticks starting their climbs to the top. Glad we don’t have mountains this high in Australia. 

We have arrived at the Fairy Pools. How do we know? There is a mad scramble of cars parking everywhere. Big Bertha neatly fits into a spot where I am sure I can’t get parked in (wrong) and off we go with all the other tourists. Fairy Pools is the River Brittle cascading down the slopes of the Cullin mountain range with little pools and waterfalls everywhere you look. All surrounded by this alien green landscape and dwarfed by mountains its magical, maybe thats where the fairies come into the story. Its the first morning that it is slightly cool, I could get away with just a t-shirt but so want to wear my new purple jacket. We walk down, we walk up, we explore, we jump rivers, we climb on rocks and explore every nook, cranny and angle, a whole lot easier than yesterday as it is a balmy 18 degrees.

It would be great to stay here all day. But a tourist must move on and tackle the last one lane roads I ever want to see. Lets climb up and attach the GoPro to the roof, thats a better angle. Jane is in charge of filming and keeps focusing on sheep.  We pass a fellow GoProer and he gives us the hang loose wave. Too funny, he probably has a drone too, Jane thinks we need a drone for the next trip.

Oh, joy, oh joy, another 8 miles of one lane road with passing places. There are no signs and the map and GPS are useless we have to guess the best path at the various decision points. The potholes along here are big enough to swallow a sheep and Jane jumps every time we find one (pothole or sheep). What’s this? Cars parked on both sides of the road, people everywhere, we must be here. There is a parking spot, 3 point turn (well maybe 5 points) and we are sorted. Lets go. Up the cliff, more tourists with drones, Japanese doing jump photos and a lady selling chips and ice-creams. 

We leave all that behind and walk up further along the cliff, the breeze is beautiful, the air feels so different and we can see all the way to the Outer Hebrides (a rare occurrence a tour guide tells us). This is the most westerly point of Skye and there is a lighthouse at the end, gannets and razorbills squawking from the cliffs and its all amazingly beautiful. Glad we made the extra effort and found our way here. Bliss.

Ok, so we get back to base later than expected, but its been a much easier day. Time for a cuppa and Jane has a jigsaw to finish.