The Fairy Pools
TranscriptHave you ever sensed something unseen, a presence felt just beyond your reach.On Skye, such feelings of the unknown have been entwined into the fabric of our culture. For centuries, stories of mythical creatures, prophetic visions and island fairies have been passed down through generations, shared around crackling fires and sung in haunting melodies.Faeries in Gaelic culture are known as sìth (pronounced: shee). This term, translating to "the people of peace" or "the still folk," reflects the belief in a hidden world existing alongside our own. Interestingly, islanders would refer to them as "the good folk" when they are thought to be nearby, a term steeped in respect and perhaps a hint of unspoken caution. The sìth occupy a unique space in our island lore, shrouded in an aura of mystery.Fairies in the Highlands lived in the stories, imagination and experiences of local people.According to local legend, the shee existed as counterparts to humans - living simple, quiet lives and sharing many of the same occupations and desires as humans. It was not uncommon for these Good folk to step into the lives of humans - sometimes to provide assistance but more often to cause mischief.Fairies can slip into the human world silently with only the slightest evidence of their presence. Impromptu gusts of wind on a still day, the half-heard sound of voices or an unusual play of light were all evidence you may have encountered the supernatural creatures.The unexplained death of livestock, the perplexing disappearance of possessions or a mystery illness could be explained by these meddling fairies.The term “Faerie” applies not just to mysterious creatures but anything Faerie-like, other-worldly, uncannily magical or mysterious. The river and its beautiful pools encompass all of these things - welcome to the Fairy Pools.
The Black Cuillin
TranscriptAcross our rugged landscape, numerous rivers and streams chart their courses, each meandering through the moorland, bound for the sea. The stream next to you and many others combine to form the River Brittle. Flowing southward, it reaches the sands of Glenbrittle Beach around 4 miles downstream, a place well worth visiting if you have the time. The network of waterways forming the Faerie Pools owe their existence to aeons of geological evolution that formed the mountain range to the East of you. Reaching almost 1km into the sky the world-famous Black Cuillin are remnants of our scorching past.This Landscape once simmered with volcanic activity. Towering volcanoes, far taller than the Cuillin you see today, pierced into the clouds. Molten lava, glowing red and orange, churned in their centre, erupting in fiery bursts raining down ash and lava. The ground vibrated with a constant tremor, and the smell of sulphur hung heavy in the air.Those colossal volcanoes are long gone, worn away by ice, wind and rain. What you see remaining are the solidified black hearts of these volcanic giants. The mountains are old magma chambers which now stand as a remnant to the Isle of Skye's explosive past.The Black Cuillins amphitheatre shape acts as a giant rainwater collector, gathering the cascading streams and shaping them into the stunning Pools up ahead... For Millennia the mountains you see before you have stood. They silently witnessed the first settlers landing on Skye, they watched the Picts as they hunted and gathered. They saw the Vikings arriving in their ships to raid and settle on the land. They saw great Kings come and go and witnessed the rise and fall of the Island's clans. Today they welcome you, and ask you to take your place in the incredible story of Skye. The rivers and waterfalls you see today are sculpted by a patient artist - water. Over countless years, water slowly carves its path, wearing down the stone and choosing the easiest route downhill. Bends in the river mark where the water turned to cut through softer ground.Sometimes the river dances left or right, but in other spots, it takes a violent plunge. This happens when a section of soft rock follows hard rock. The hard rock stubbornly resists erosion but the soft rock behind it is gradually worn down eventually creating a step for the water to fall down. As the softer rock continues to erode faster, a waterfall is born. The falling water accelerates the erosion, until a deep pool is formed.Powerful forces of water are responsible for the unusual shapes we see along the riverbanks. As you make your way along the river look closely at the rocks and notice the occasional circular hole. These were carved by trapped pebbles swirling in the current like a giant drill slowly grinding into the stone resulting in peculiar circular holes. The waterfalls may be dramatic, but they're followed by moments of glassy calm - deep pools where the water slows to show off its beautiful turquoise colour. The constant cycle of power and peace is what makes our landscape so captivating. The same forces sculpting the river have shaped the entire Island of Skye. Different rock types erode at different speeds, creating the rugged peaks and valleys we know and love.Now, let's continue our journey. Head towards the next waypoint, marked by a huge stone which sits next to the path. You won't miss it!
Clan MacLeod vs Clan MacDonald
TranscriptGlen Brittle once played host to a brutal clash - the final act in a long saga of clan rivalry that shaped Skye's history.A few steps away from where you are standing, the MacDonalds and the MacLeods, two of Skye's most powerful clans, met in a brutal confrontation in 1601. Look across the river: just below where the Cuillin slope rises is where a bloody chapter in our island history unfolded.It had been a long time coming.The MacDonalds and the MacLeods feud was as enduring as the landscape itself. The clans' hatred burned so deeply, with a penultimate love story so catastrophic, it could have inspired A Game of Thrones novel.Distrust, misunderstandings and an escalating cycle of revenge had afflicted the rival families for too long, often resulting in violence and conflict. A marriage of peace was arranged to end the suffering. Margaret MacLeod, the sister of the Chief of the MacLeod Clan was to marry the Chief of the MacDonalds of Sleat.In these times, marriage was often political. They were subject to negotiation and reflected the strategic ambitions of the families involved. Clan alliances took priority, with unions arranged for reasons beyond love. Negotiations and strategy ruled the day, as families aimed to secure their futures.Take Margaret MacLeod and Donald MacDonald. Theirs was a unique arrangement – a "betrothal" lasting a year and a day. If Margaret were to give Donald a son during that time, an heir to his lineage, the marriage would become permanent. If not, both parties would simply return to their own families. Arrangements like these were called “handfasting”.During the handfast period, time carried on. Passing months turned to passing seasons and on to the passing of 1 year and 1 day with no son born. The agreement was broken. What’s more either through illness or injury Margaret had lost one of her eyes.The one-eyed woman was to be returned to her family. However in a cynical gesture Donald MacDonald did not let her return alone. With no further use for her, Donald sent Margaret back to her family in Dunvegan tied backwards on a one-eyed horse, accompanied by a one-eyed servant and a one-eyed dog. On her return, the Macleod Chief Rory was enraged by the pitiful sight and treatment of his sister.The call went out to assemble the clan's warriors to take revenge for this insult. So began a series of battles and skirmishes known as the War of the One-Eyed Woman.Carry on up the river where we’ll share more about the area and you can uncover how our tragic story ends.
Landscape and preservation
TranscriptThe bridge was built to replace large stepping stones that until recently were the only method across the river. The bridge is part of an investment program called the Skye Iconic Sites Project aimed at improving infrastructure at Skye's most famous sites.The popularity of the Faerie Pools has seen visitor numbers soar in recent years to as many as 180,000 per year. With ever increasing numbers, the human impact on the land needs to be managed. The car park, toilets and a large amount of habitat restoration have been undertaken in recent years to allow people to enjoy the site while minimising the impact of high footfall on the ecosystem. The land surrounding you is boggy peatland which is easily damaged.Peat is formed when plant material grows more quickly than it can decompose. The low temperatures and wet ground in much of Scotland result in low decomposition rates and give rise to large areas of peatland. When the material is dried it is an effective fuel source. Peat has traditionally been used as a source of fuel to cook and heat homes. It would regularly be cut by hand and piled in stacks to dry. Peat cutting is still evident in parts of Scotland and you may see peat stacks next to trenches where it has been excavated in fields during your visit. There is a picture of these peat stacks in the app. If you have ever had a smoky-tasting whisky, it is dried peat that is slowly burned under the malted barley which creates its smoky, peated flavour. The same method is used to produce the local Talisker Whisky.
Clan MacLeod vs Clan MacDonald
TranscriptFollowing the insult from the MacDonalds who sent Margaret Macleod home in shame, Rory the chief of the Macleod Clan called up arms against the MacDonalds, and the War of the One Eyed woman had begun.Rory MacLeod launched a vicious raid on MacDonald lands in Trotternish in the North of Skye, a territory long contested by both clans. A cycle of revenge raids ensued. The MacDonalds struck back on the Isle of Harris, while the MacLeods countered in North Uist. Fighting continued with raids and counter raids. The war was causing huge suffering on the Island as the number of casualties and hatred grew. A decisive final battle beckoned - the Battle of Coire Na Creiche.Following another raid in the North of Skye the MacDonalds were driving stolen cattle through Glen Brittle when the MacLeod warriors caught up to them, and the warring clansmen were once again face to face.Both sides had lost clansmen in the conflict. The memory of recent battles were fresh in the survivors' minds. Imagine the simmering tension felt as MacDonald eyes narrowed against the sun and MacLeod warriors crested the hill. The air, thick with anticipation, carried the faint metallic tang of blood and sweat – a grim echo of the recent battles. On the windswept slopes both sides sought vengeance.The MacDonald’s linen shirts rippled in the breeze, still stained with dried blood and mud. Sunlight glinted off iron and steel blades – broadswords, axes, and the fearsome two handed claymore sword. The silence stretched, broken only by the rasp of breaths and the occasional clink of armour. The precipice of battle.In sight of the enemy the Clansmen began to recite the names of their ancestors, an ancient practice. They testified to their lineage and their place in clan history as if calling on the power of those that came before them. The deep, guttural chants rose from the ranks, the Gaelic words carrying on the wind, a powerful invocation of the warriors' forebears.The call went out to attack. The Clansmen hurdled over the heather and uneven ground. The battle at Battle of Coire Na Creiche was a brutal affair. Legend speaks of the rivers running red with blood. After a lengthy fight the MacDonalds emerged victorious. Alasdair MacLeod the chief's brother and many others were captured by the MacDonalds.News of the battle travelled to The Scottish crown. Horrified by the ongoing brutal violence they soon intervened. A truce was enforced upon the feuding clans, and remarkably, peace was held. The Battle of Coire Na Creiche became the last major conflict between the MacLeods and the MacDonalds and the last battle on Skye.
Archway
TranscriptCarved by the relentless power of the waterfall, the archway splits the pool in two. The first basin churns with the cascading water. Beyond the archway there is a startling transformation. The water lies glassy and still, so clear you can peer deep down and see the rounded stones adorning the riverbed.Even in summer, the sea itself rarely surpasses a brisk 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). The rivers, fed by the island's cool mountain peaks, are even chillier. The chill contributes to the pool's remarkable clarity. The constant flow has long carried away any loose sediment, leaving behind the smooth surface of volcanic rock. This rock, incredibly resistant to erosion, releases minimal debris into the water. The coolness also discourages the growth of algae and other organisms that might cloud its pristine beauty.
