The Fairy Glen
Just south of Uig on the north west coast of the Isle of Skye is a small single track road. A mile in, the landscape completely changes. Hills and pastures give way to conical hills and towers and you are left wondering what precisely you have stumbled upon. How is this place so different from all others?
Welcome to the Fairy Glen. (And yes, they do actually all it that.)
Beyond the strange hills and rambling stream lies the remains of an old stone house.
The first thing you notice is that this place has a gravity unlike all others. Stepping onto the grounds is like traveling outside of time. The air is thick with magic or history or possibilities — you can’t ever really decipher it.
And you can’t take your eyes off the fallen rowan tree that is still growing, producing bright berries and leaves.
You try desperately to capture the place in photographs, but fail. It has captured you instead.
You visit twice in less than a day, lingering there. Even when you leave, it calls you back. And so you go. You made the mistake of drinking the water. The place is in you now.
And upon return, you spend hours there, until it tells you to leave. What you found was sacred ground, not consecrated by any religion, but by Nature itself.
(It calls to you still.)
{All photos by me of the Fairy Glen near Uig, Isle of Skye, Scotland. And despite the use of second person, all of this story is true too. I did drink the water, and I feel its call in my blood.}
Oh my gosh, Brandi – these are amazing. Truly a magical place. That first photo needs to be printed out BIG and framed! More, more!
The first and the last I think. I absolutely fell in love with that place.
I love everything about this post. thank you for sharing this.
What lovely photos! I’ve always thought of Scotland as a place full of ancient magic. I think I see a little of it on your photos despite your take of failing to capture it. :)
also, I’m usually such a water person, but I’m so taken by the trees in these photos. can’t stop looking at that last one. beautiful and amazing!
You would have liked this place, especially as a water person. It really balanced the elements nicely.
It seems so surreal… but it feels like you’ve taken me there :)
Okay, there definitely be faeries in that place. Did you drink the water, fall asleep and wake up 10 days later, with dancing shoes on and flowers in your hair? Because it sounds like that type of place
Oh, I wish!
I have to admit after your email, I was really excited to see your photos of the Fairy Glen. They are as magical as I expected. The place looks so serene in all of the photos, but that last photo absolutely takes my breath away. It has an energy all of it’s own. Being there must have been an incredible experience.
I think the photos do capture some of the magic; or maybe it’s a combination of your words with the photos :)
gorgeous gorgeous photos, brandi!
Oh Brandi! You know, I look back at my Scotland photos and think “I am such a horrible photographer, I didn’t capture it at all!” And then I look at yours and my heart opens up huge because you totally captured it’s beauty and magic perfectly. You are a crazy talented photographer.
absolutely stunning shots! i now have a need to visit this magical place. gorgeous pictures.
Goodness this is a gorgeous place. ..And the name suits it perfectly…
Welcome back Brandi! Your photos and words are beautiful. I can’t wait to hear about your trip in person. Hopefully we can find some time to catch up soon?!
What glorious storytelling in words and pictures. I can feel the thrum, thrum of ancient magic and I am a little bit enchanted, and a little bit afraid. It puts me in mind of the children’s books by Alan Garner. Have you read them? He bases his stories in Wales but the older-than-time consecration by Nature is ever-present.
The pictures you took are spectacular, Brandi! I almost felt like I was stepping into a different world.
Pretty sure my mom went to the Isle of Skye last summer… I wonder if she visited this magical place? I can imagine getting comfy in the grass and spending days there.
We must skype soon so I can hear about the whole trip in glorious detail!
xo
I feel like you should purchase some sort of flowy renaissance costume at the MD Ren Fest, then go back to Scotland and dance around the Fairy Glen.
This place cannot be real. It’s so beautiful! I’m glad you had a good time!
What a fitting name! That first picture captured me right away. I wonder how I’ve never heard of this place. I loved the story you wrote along with your photos as well : )
amazing photos and words, I know the feeling, oh man.. that place “it’s in your blood” now
beautiful photos, this place looks like pure magic. also, thanks for confirming about the water drinking moment! haha i was wondering if that was real or fiction. now it’s a part of you! love it.
Oh my gosh, this place is truly the definition of magical! I can’t even imagine how breath taking it must be in real life if I’m this mesmerized by it in photographs and you say this isn’t even the half of it!!
the images are breathtaking….your words are magical.
that fallen tree will be in my dreams tonight.
My love of 10 years and I exchanged our vows there last year – honestly, it is one of the most beautiful and magical places that I have ever been in my entire life!!
Your pics brought tears to my eyes!! Thank you!!