The Quiraing, Isle of Skye

This has got to be my favourite place in the world - the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye:

Yours truly walking The Quiraing

Of all the sacred and beautiful places I have visited, none have captured my imagination more than the Quiraing. Located on the north-east slopes on the island's Trotternish Peninsula, this magnificent landscape is the result of a massive Jurassic landslide!

Whilst much of the Quiraing has now settled, parts of the land here is still on the move at a rate of nearly 3cm a year. The A855 road beneath it needs regular repair work as a result of this continued activity.

The Quiraing takes its name from the old Norse 'Kvi Rand', meaning 'Round Fold' and it is believed that farmers used to hide their cattle amongst the dips and valleys here during Viking attacks of the island. 

In such surroundings, it comes as no surprise that this is believed to be the meeting place for the fae.

Dragons, too, are said to fly over this land, resting on the mighty crags that decorate The Quiraing like Tolkienesque mountains.

On my walk through The Quiraing I saw neither fae nor dragon, but I did see this standoff between a large Buzzard and a sheep at the summit of the above crag!

The magickal sights to be had in The Quiraing have been used to great effect in many movies, including Stardust, Macbeth, The Land That Time Forgot, The BFG, 47 Ronin and Snow White and the Huntsman.

Walking The Quiraing is a real pleasure and the route has lots of places to stop and chill and just take in the breathtaking land about you.

Whilst the walk is not too energetic, there are a couple of spots to be mindful of, with some sheer drops to the edge of the path. 

All that is required here, however, is to concentrate on the path ahead and not be distracted by the sheer beauty about and around you, and you will be fine.

Skye is, without doubt, the jewel in the crown, of Scotland. And The Quiraing is the finest jewel set in that crown! If you are thinking of paying this area a visit, trust me, you will not be disappointed :)

Editing...

Getting lazy. Editing my novel in bed this morning.

The Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye

For our first outing on the Isle of Skye, we headed out to the remarkable Fairy Glen, located on the Trotternish Peninsula, near Uig.

This is a unique and remarkable place, abrim with grassy conical hills, rounded hillocks, gurgling streams, lochans, spirals carved into the landscape and a craggy outcrop that appears to all like the ruins of an ancient castle. It really is a wondrous magical place to explore.

The magickal Fairy Glen, near Uig

'Castle Ewen', viewed from the nearby lochan

There is little in the way of legends or folklore attached to the Fairy Glen, but its very appearance entrances the soul and makes all who visit the place believe that this must be home to the fairy folk.

The Fairy Glen was formed from a Jurassic landslide and appears very much like a mini version of Skye's other magical-looking landscape, The Quiraing. Along with The Quiraing, it is an enchanting place to wander and lose yourself in fanciful thinking.

And like The Quiraing, if you ever get the opportunity to pay a visit to Skye, make sure that you spend at least a little time in this little geological wonderland.

Sheep bones, The Fairy Glen

Neighbour's Cat, Skye

Whilst making an audio recording of the ambient sounds outside our holiday cottage in Skye, I was surprised when I heard this brief capture of our neighbour feeding her Trotternish cat:

Early Morning Editing on the Isle of Skye

Editing Pixie-Led. Chapter 14

Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls, Skye

Kilt Rocked (named as the rock resembles a pleated kilt)

It is said that selkies can sometimes be heard singing at Kilt Rock, on the Isle of Skye.  The singing is often heard carried on the wind from the edge of the cliff overlooking Mealt Falls. Others might argue that the sound is actually produced as the wind travels through the hollow piping, which safeguards visitors to the sight from plunging over the edge of the cliffs!

You can hear my recording of the 'silkies' here and judge for yourself:

On our visit to the Falls, we were blessed with a cool looking rainbow that plunged directly into the sea!

Look carefully and you can see my shadow on the rocks :)

Pixie-Led. Chapter 13. Final Draft. Skye.

The rest of my family had a lay-in after our two-day drive up to Skye. Whilst they snoozed, I spent my first morning in our holiday cottage, which we have for the whole of next week, catching up on some editing of Pixie-Led.