The Isle of Skye is brimming with stunning and incredibly unique photography locations to choose from. Every day I wanted to go somewhere new. But, at least for me, really good photography doesn’t work that way.
I frequently find that I have to visit a location more than once before I make my best images. I think it’s because on the first visit I can become overwhelmed by the beauty, while at the same time I haven’t had enough time to get a true feeling for the place. That’s why I like to scout locations.
During my first visit to the Fairy Pools, I had already been photographing the awe inspiring scenery on Skye for 8 hours and there was a bit of sideways rain happening. I was tired. But since I was close-by, I decided it would be a good time to scout out the Fairy Pools for a future visit.
The first thing I discovered was that the parking was insane and there were a lot of tourists. Note to self: make the return trip earlier in the day.
I didn’t get very far along the trail when I encountered my first obstacle. And I don’t mean metaphorically! There was a riving crossing with strategically placed stones with flat tops, each of which was a very large step away from the one before it. The problem was that the river level was so high that the first stone was underwater and a ton of water was rushing over it.
People seemed to have one of two reactions: some turned back and others took a running jump and made it onto the second stone. I didn’t like either of those options.
Looking down at my trusty Dunnies (rubber boots) that had served me so well on the trip so far, I decided to just step on the underwater stone and use my tripod as a walking stick to help prevent the swift moving river from taking me with it. The water almost came to the top of my boots, but I made it!
I enjoyed the freedom I often feel when scouting a location because there is no pressure to make a great image. I did make some images, but the trail was extremely boggy and slippery and then the sideways rain started, so I just went as far as I could and took it all in noting some good perspectives along the way and thinking of techniques I could use to bring out it’s best features.
A few days later I went back to the Fairy Pools with some ideas and a better understand of the landscape. The river level had dropped so that first stone was no longer underwater, and the trail had dried out quite a bit. I still needed the Dunnies to stand in the river to get the perfect perspective for my favourite photo though!
The atmosphere was perfect. Not so much water that the river crossing was difficult, but enough water that the waterfalls were surging. There was no sideways rain, but lots of fog and mist making the mountains look mysterious.
This is why I love slow travel. I need time to get to know a location and even return to it a few times before all the ingredients for a great photo fall into place. And sometimes they don’t. But I have a much better chance of it happening if time is on my side.
I think if I lived on Skye I would return to this location again and again.
Hi Anne, I’m so glad to find these posts as I’ll be (hopefully) in Scotland in May 2019. Reading about the Fairy pools, I can see I need some good rain boots. Can you recommend a good brand? Living in California, we don’t have much need for these. Thank you!
Madeleine
Hi Madeleine, I actually just bought some awesome rain boots for a different trip. The brand is “Muck”. I like them because they are warm (which is virtually unheard of for rainboots) and they have great soles with traction. The problem with rainboots on a trip is that you have to wear them on travel day in the airport because they take up so much space, they are probably not going to fit in your luggage unless you take a lot of luggage.
What I did in Scotland was just buy a cheap pair when I got there. I bought Dunnies which are just simple cheap rainboots that cost me about 20 pounds. Then I left them in my hotel room before I came back. Just take a few pairs of warm socks with you so your feet don’t freeze.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Scotland! I loved it there.
Hi Anne
I thought like this little ditty about ‘midges,
https://www.facebook.com/chas.mich.9/videos/899198423581627/UzpfSTEwMDAwNzAwMjM5ODM3NjoxODc5Mzk5NDQyMzU1MDky/
Alex
Haha, funny. I’m lucky I didn’t have to content with those while I was there. That would have driven me bananas as the song says!
Spectacular photos, Anne. The fourth one is a real stunner. Thanks for sharing.
I appreciate your kind comments, thanks Richard 🙂
Its over fifty years since I visited the island (1966) and I am glad to see it hasn’t changed it is still the ‘misty isle’ I knew and I guess it always will be.
I see you experienced the horizontal rain and the mud and clart but not the midges, that was possibly down to the wind and rain.
These midges are something else they are ever so tiny but can they bite!
So it probably just as well you did miss them because they are known to spoil some people’s site seeing enjoyment, and I guess you experienced enough misery with your knees without adding them to the misery.
I have nick-named them ‘flying teeth’ based on their size and the viciousness of their bite I picture them as two teeth with wings.
As always loved the pictures!
Alex
Hi Alex, I have heard about the midges and that is one of the reasons I chose to go in October. I think the midges are pretty much over by then. Horrible things!! Glad you enjoyed the photos and thanks for your comments.
Living in the UK I have been lucky enough to visit Skye a couple of times. Your marvellous images certainly do it justice. The scenery, landscapes, ever changing weather and light conditions make it a great place for photographers and wilderness explorers.
It sure is a great location Brian! It’s been one of my favourite photography trips and I wouldn’t be surprised to see myself back there one day.
Very enjoyable narrative and teaching about “getting to know a place.” Your photographs are amazing.
Thank you Karlton, your comments are much appreciated!
P.S. Thank you for risking your Dunnies, your tripod (and probably your camera), and perhaps even your very life (oh, no!) to get these wonderful photos for us to view and be inspired by.
haha, yeah, those Dunnies sure came in handy. I felt a little guilty for leaving them in the hotel room when I came back but there was no room in my luggage for them.
Your waterfall photos are just plain GORGEOUS!
Many thanks Suzy!
Can’t decide on a fave – I love them all! Absolutely gorgeous. You did a great job on this, Anne!
Thank you very much Laurie! Always great to get your comments.
I have to agree with Jackson, the fourth image is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Brian, I appreciate that.
The second one is my favorite–the river draws me to the falls, which draws me to mountain. Beautiful! I would love to go there someday.
Hi Nancy, thank you so much for your kind comments! You should go, I think you would love it there since you like river/waterfall scenes and there’s no shortage of those.
Thanks Anne, these photos are definitely a take your breath away scene. Magical ♀️
Many thanks Dale!
Really beautiful Anne, and that last favorite of yours is a stunner. I hope to make it here someday myself, with a nice flask of some single malt on my hip.
Thanks Mark! Scotland has some amazing scenery and if you like whiskey you could do some distillery hopping along with your photography locations 🙂 Thanks for your visit and comments.
That fourth image is especially wonderful, Anne!
Thank you so much Jackson, that fourth one is my fave 🙂