Up in the glorious Skye

Oh boy!  Internet is very hit and miss here- mostly miss.  I apologize for not keeping up at all with anyone at this time but will when I return. Thank you, everyone, for your comments and I will try to reply. While I have the access I will try to post some of the pics I have and hope I am not cut off half way.

As well as a Pictish, Celtic and Gaelic heritage ( of the Irish Dalriada kingdoms), Skye has a strong Viking history as many of the names here indicate- such as the lochs of Snizort and Pooltiel, communities like Carbost and Skeabost, (bost means farm in Norse) and Duirinish (Deer Parish).  The firths of Scotland take their name from the Norse word “fjord.” The clan MacLeod which includes my grandmother’s family are thought to be the descendants of a Norse chieftain named Leod, and the MacLeod’s of Skye built Dunvegan Castle.

the viking settlement of
the viking settlement of Duirinish and site of an old church Cille Mhuire or St. Mary

There is a much older Pictish stone visible on the distant hill.

Cille means cell in Gaelic so Mary’s cell is the meaning of Cille Mhuire. The early missionaries built small, cell like monastic dwellings and churches.

Scotland is the land of the standing stones and – sheep!

The Land of the Standing Stones by Paul Anderson

 

Rush hour in the highlands

as one Italian tourist exclaimed- “Sheeps everywhere!” and indeed-  walking down the roads, crossing the roads, lying in the roads!!

pictish stone
Pictish stone

Cliffs, beaches and craggy mountains. pictish and standing stones, St. Columba’s island and a 6th century graveyard, castles, even hadrosaur footprints in the sand at Staffin (which I could not find!)- Skye is rich in ancient history and of course not least- the fairies. The Story of the Fairy Flag of Dunvegan is here

standing stones
standing stones on Loch Snizort
Pictish Duirinish Stone above the Viking settlement
Pictish Duirinish Stone above the Viking settlement

St. Columba was one of the first missionaries to preach the gospel in Ireland and Scotland. He converted many of the Picts to Christianity. This island still bears the stones of an ancient church and grave yard from the 6th century.

St. Columba's island
St. Columba’s island and an ancient grave site

Please view these in display for the full effect

Old Man Storr

The Fairy Pools

And of course we must never forget the fairy pools in Glen Brittle. I must have displeased the Sidhe because I took a tumble and injured my knee-(fine now) so didn’t take as many pics as I would have liked. The longer exposures were hand held and a tad shaky I think.

road to the fairy pools2ab

fairypools2

More Images Here

49 Comments Add yours

  1. Tracey says:

    Stunning imagery 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks Tracey!! It truly is!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Such a magical place and beautiful music as well 🙂 Wonderful series

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks Cynthia!!!

      Like

  3. DG MARYOGA says:

    I so much enjoyed all of your lovely photos and your vivid commenraries,dear Cybele!You made me feel I was there with you.Thank you 🙂 xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. what a lovely comment dear Doda!! you always make my day 🙂 !!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Gorgeous Cybele, I think you’re having a great time 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am Andrea- thank you!!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Adrian Lewis says:

    Beautiful pictures, Cybele – and nostalgic for me too. I worked on Skye, as a geologist, 44 years ago, down around Broadford, Torrin and the Eastern Red Hills. No doubt you’ve encountered the midges – I hope you have repellent!!! Adrian

    Liked by 1 person

    1. LOL!! Yes they are pesky critters!! Thanks so much Adrian!! What a great place to be a geologist!!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. lauramacky says:

    On my bucket list for sure! You really captured these beautifully.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks Laura!! I hope you visit!!

      Like

  7. Laura Bloomsbury says:

    thanks for keeping us in the ring as it were – celtic magic fairy ring by the looks of these magnificent shots – who needs internet when the world is at your feet. Happy days!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So happy you like them Laura!! yes not having good internet has freed me but will catch up when I get home! 😀

      Like

  8. Suzanne says:

    I love your photos and commentary. What a wonderful journey you have shared with us here.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. so glad to share and so glad you are enjoying along with me!! thank you Suzanne!

      Like

  9. Maria F. says:

    Magical places Cybele. I ordered the latest Rebel model (the Rebel t6s) because it’s very similar to the Canon 70D; and it’s smaller for my hands too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh I hope it is good for you Maria!! thanks so much for visiting!

      Like

  10. Leanne Cole says:

    Stunning Cybele, my father was from Scotland and I’ve grown up my whole life hearing about it and wanting to go there, but have never been able to. I do hope to one day. It is one the places on this planet that I really really want to explore. I think I could spend quite a bit of time there. Your photos make me want to go even more.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I so hope you can Leanne – it’s so touching to see the places your parents/grandparents lived and especially such a beautiful place so full of magic!! thank you Leanne!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Don’t apologise! Just enjoy it all and share when you’re back 🙂 Skye is a wonderful place and I love your photos from there.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Very fine set, Cybele.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. many thanks Harrie-though internet connection has been a problem!

      Like

  13. It looks so beautiful there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh it is but internet sucks lol!! thanks Deborah!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Such gorgeous photos, Cybele! The Fairy Pools area looks really magical. Enjoy. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. they are!! though I hurt my knee there lol!! Darn fairies! Thanks so much!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Sue says:

    Gosh, you got around, Cybele! It’s years since I went to Skye, but your post brings back many memories……

    Liked by 1 person

    1. pleased it does Sue though I can’t get online a lot where I have been staying!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sue says:

        How liberating!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Sue says:

        Another world! I felt like that in Benbecula, Harris and Lewis

        Like

      3. it is!! 🙂 thanks Sue!

        Liked by 1 person

  16. sheldonk2014 says:

    You always do a great presentation with your shots
    As always Sheldon

    Liked by 1 person

    1. so appreciate your kind comments!!!

      Like

  17. StillWalks says:

    Fab photos of a fab place/country 👍

    Liked by 1 person

    1. a thousand thanks Stillwalks!!

      Like

  18. Mark Simms says:

    This is bringing back some lovely memories of our visit to Skye a few years ago

    Liked by 1 person

    1. so glad it does and thanks Mark- just having problems connecting over here!!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Kerena says:

    Thank you for sharing this marvelous adventure! So enjoying ‘seeing’ it through your camera lens 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thank you for your enthusiasm and appreciation!! Internet very sporadic here!!

      Like

  20. disperser says:

    Very dramatic and interesting sites, and well-captured.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. many thanks Disperser and sorry for the delay- internet problems abound!

      Like

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