The Isle of Skye. That’s the Old Man of Storr in the hills above, a beautiful rock formation visible for miles around. The island is a place of fairies: there’s a castle and a glen and a bridge… but first, back to another rock formation, specifically the one spied from the bedroom window of our holiday house.
‘That’s an interesting rocky outcrop,’ said I to husband.
‘Aye, we should walk up to it,’ he replied.
So we did.
And there was Dun Hallin, an Iron Age broch we had intended visiting but thought would be hard to find. Duns, or brochs, were a complex form of roundhouse, probably defensive, precursors to castles.
I loved Dun Hallin and the surprise of finding it like that. And the wonderful views of Trumpan Point.
Trumpan Kirkyard held surprise too. An ancient standing stone, Clach Deuchainn, the Trial Stone:
Trial stones were used to try a person. In this case if the accused could put their finger in the hole located on the stone while blindfold they were innocent. The stone is undoubtedly far older than this use; it is also known as the Priest Stone and the Heaven Stone.
There were some interesting graves too; these, and the gruesome history of the church can be read about here.
But back to the fairies. Firstly the Fairy Glen, an unusual land formation, which sadly does not have any old fairy folklore associated with it but it does feel otherworldly when you walk round it.
The rocky peak is known as Castle Ewen:
But it’s Dunvegan Castle we need for fairy legends!
Displayed inside the castle, so no photos, is the ancient and tattered Fairy Flag. There are many stories and traditions surrounding this relic and its origins. The tale favoured in the information provided to visitors is the one in which the Chief of Clan Macleod marries a fairy. The couple have a child together but the fairy knows she has to return to her people in Fairyland. She leaves the magical flag, imbued with protective powers, wrapped round the baby, and this she does a few miles away at the Fairy Bridge:
There are also Fairy Pools on Skye but we did not get to them this trip. We did manage a quick visit to Kilt Rock:
We also took in the Museum of Island Life, one of the few places on the island with good mobile internet which meant I was distracted by a sudden barrage of Twitter notifications!
Near to the museum is the memorial to Flora MacDonald:
One more fairy mention: the house we stayed in was previously owned by the writer Aileen P. Roberts, and full of books, so I read her novella Fairy Fire while there which was set in Skye and surprising and perfect.
The sun rises over Dun Hallin:
And sets at Trumpan Point:
Goodbye Skye! We’ll be back!
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Set in a fictional castle in Aberdeenshire, Ailish Sinclairโs debut novel, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR, blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story.
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Thank you for sharing your awesome trip and pictures! Wonderful!
Glad you liked!
How wonderful – magic galore!
Yes ๐
loved this “visit” thank YOU
You’re welcome ๐
Oh, the gifts of following you on WordPress! Your post is Intriguing and mesmerizing!
Thank you so much!
Over the sea to Skye… This is a wonderfully informative and beautifully illustrated post. May I share it on a Facebook page?
Of course!
Thanks!
I love the fact that the “interesting rocky outcrop” turned out to be an Iron Age broch — and not just any broch — the one you had wanted to see but thought you’d not find! Great post! I enjoyed all the pictures and history. Horrible what happened at that church! Thanks for including that link. When I visited the Isle of Skye it was pouring rain and I couldn’t see a thing, so I always enjoy seeing pictures of what I missed.
Ah yes, it rained on us a few times too. Very changeable weather on the islands. I’m glad you liked the post ๐
Love this! <3 Thanks for sharing your journeys and gorgeous photography.
Glad you like ๐
Will be visiting in September. Your essay is magical. Can’t wait. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you have a magical time too!
Beautiful photos. You make me long for a return visit ๐ Thanks for sharing.
I want to go back too.
Gorgeous photos. ๐
Thank you ๐
Enjoyable post about an area we did not venture too. Though we did spend approx 2 months there last summer, so must get around to blogging about it! It is a beautiful part of the world, much like NZ! Though not so much the weather ๐
It does rain quite a bit in the islands!
So I have heard ๐
I can’t believe it has taken me this long to realise you have a blog. Too busy looking at your lovely pictures on Twitter. I love this part of the world, will try and call in more often. ๐
Glad you like ๐
Love your blog and your Pinterest page because it takes me back t Scotland where I spent four very happy years of my life. I have nominated your blog for the Mystery Blog Award. Thank you for all the amazing pictures.
Beautiful pictures!
It is an incredibly beautiful place ๐
So happy you got to take this walk! Thank you for taking us with you via your beautiful photographs!
I’m so glad you like the photos ๐
Whoa! Amazing hillsides. Maybe one of these days I’ll see them in person.
The landscape of Skye is spectacular, lots of glacial deposits!
Perfect timing // Skye is up next!!
Wonderful! I hope you have a great time ๐
Absolutely wonderful! Reblogging to my readers at sister site Timeless Wisdoms
Cool ๐
Pingback: Over the Sea to the Fairies – Timeless Wisdoms
You take beautiful photographs, absolutely lovely <3 And, as it's currently 110 degrees outside where I live…I absolutely wished I could have stepped through my screen and into one of them.
I’m glad you like the photos Ariana and hope it warms up for you soon!
Since itโs becoming increasingly doubtful I will visit Scotland, especially Skye, your blog helps to quell my longing to see it. Lovely photos. Youโve captured the charm I keep hearing about this part of the world.
I’m glad you like it ๐
The Skye and Ullapool areas were two of my favorites. Lucky, lucky you to have them so readily close! I do believe there is magic in those mountains. ๐
I am on the other side of Scotland to them, but I do love them deeply and want to revisit soon.
Just being anywhere in Scotland must be amazing!
I do love it.
Hi there. Fabulous reading this post having just been to Skye myself!
Wonderful place ๐
Hi Ailish,
I really enjoyed reading your blog about Skye., my island home. Beautiful images.
Sue
Skye is such a stunning place; how wonderful to live there ๐
What a beautiful place.
It is.
We had a lovely week in a cottage on Skye, near Dunvegan Castle.
It is such a great place ๐