There is no shortage of wonderful places to visit in Scotland. The Fairy Pools are a great option…read morefor those who would like to do some moderate hiking while on the Isle of Skye. The Fairy Pools are on the far side of the valley from the parking area (which is also where you will find bathrooms) necessitating that visitors hike down into the valley and then up on the far side to get to the first waterfall that marks the beginning of the pools. The trail is 2.4 kilometers / 1.5 miles. The steepest portion of the hike is from the parking area to the "bottom" of the valley. This is not a difficult hike for most people, but can be taxing for those who don't get out as much as they might like, and may pose issues for folks with mobility concerns. The valley (Glen Brittle) is at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains making even the view from the parking area stunning. Things to know: * As you work your way up past the first of the pools, take a moment to look to the other side of the path now and again. If the faeries favor you, sunlight and mist coming off the falls and the mountains may create an ongoing rainbow for your enjoyment. * The toilet facilities have limited hours so plan accordingly. * There is little in the area of the pools, part of what makes them a spectacular visit but means you will want to bring along anything that you might think you need on your outing. * The Isle of Skye is extremely popular during the tourist season, and the Fairy Pools are a big part of that. Plan to spend a lot of time dealing with traffic if visiting during that time. Our visit was early November - cool, typical Scottish seasonal weather, and while a good number of people where there, it was not crowded.

Lots of waterfalls and and beautiful way to get your steps. The hills were a bit challenging for me…read morebut so glad we didnt miss it. My husband wasn't feeling great so initially we were going to pass. Ibwould have really felt cheated. Personally didnt think it was as pretty as pics but still pretty. Ba viral Pic with purple trees claiming to be the pools really boosted the tourist numbers. Do your research that wasn't even in scotland and it was not purple highly photoshoped. Crazy how people come here because of a viral lie.

After driving past the entrance to the physical feature named the Old Man of Storr and seeing how…read morebacked up traffic was, I opted for a different approach to observing the landmark. On the night of Sunday 14 July 2019, I decided to go for a drive and see the sunset (which was about 10:08 p.m.) and see the moon rise. I watched the sun set from the upper West area on the Isle of Skye, then approached the landmark southbound at about 10:48 p.m. The rocks were visible from up the coast, so I pulled my rental car over to the side of the road so see if I could take a few landscape pictures with the protruding rocks visible. Upon exiting my car to find a good angle, I encountered a male urinator in my way. Passing the person, I was able to get the from-afar pictures I was hoping for. The landmark is marvelous up close as well as from afar. Subtracting out the vertical urinator, it was a good experience and lovely physical feature in the moonlight.

A must see if you are on isle of skye. There's a parking lot with plenty of spots. It does have a…read morecost , but you get six hours for a few dollars. The hike itself is a couple of miles and does have quite a bit of vertical gain, so just be prepared for that. There's an alternative route for the first part, which has an easier grade and just takes a little bit longer. Everything about the hike is picturesque, and it is worth taking the time to make it to the end of the hike to the viewpoint. Bring a rain jacket because the weather can be unpredictable. Overall, highly recommend this hike.

1 1/2 hrs on a ferry from Mallaig took me to the Isle of Rum. It is a magical approach with a wide…read morebay and Kinloch Castle standing looking out to sea. A new jetty has been built and a short walk takes you into the small village. It's like time has been forgotten and all you can hear is the whirl of generators as there was no electricty on the island. Scottish Natural Heritage own Kinloch Castle which was featured on the BBC programme 'Restoration'. There are tours of the castle which shows you the amazing wealth that was once in place. It is very sad to see the way the castle is currently being left to ruin. There are many walks which can be undertaken but if you are catching a ferry later that day keep an eye on your watch. There are Highland ponies on Rum, all with distinct characteristics which are only found in Rum ponies, who work on the hills carrying the deer. B&B can be booked to stay in the castle, I went for the day and I would love to come back for a few days. Remember to pack your midge lotion as the midges are ferocious! :-)

A quirky castle on the Isle of Rum, and efforts are underway to restore it. If you take a tour…read moreinside or even peek into the windows you'll see a lot of eclectic decorations and ornaments. Very interesting!

The views in and around the monument are breathtaking, built on a beach on the shores of loch…read moreshiel, the monument leans ever so slightly. The monument commemorated those who died fighting the Jacobite cause and gave their lives to support Bonnie Prince Charlie in the Jacobite uprising in 1745 and it is around 18m high. I loved climbing the monument and standing beside the lone highlander and looking out across the loch as well as looking over to see the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct! The climb to the top of the monument is not that strenuous but it's narrow and the steps are steep and there's a heavy steel hatch door that you open (think it was supposed to be open already) and you climb up and enjoy the view which is definitely worth the effort and very rewarding! Think it was one of my favourite things to do in Glenfinnan!

The Glenfinnan Monument is located 3h from Edinburgh and 25 min from Fort William and marks a place…read moreof historical importance for the Scottish Highland Nation. I always planned to visit this monument, because of its historic meaning. Bonny Prince Charlie (Charles Stuart) raised his army around this monument at Loch Shiel. There he raised his banner. Originally he only arrived with about 8 comrades, but clans from all over the Highlands started joining his ambition to win back the throne of Scotland. Another Jacobite Rising was initiated from this place in time. It is a shame that it all ended with the battle of Culloden. It is a wonderful and peaceful place. You can oversee Loch Shiel, admire the nature surrounding the Loch and even enjoy watching the Harry Potter Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The monument is part of the National Trust of Scotland. There is a visitor centre where you can enjoy some nibbles and drinks and browse the gift shop for souvenirs. It is a nice place to stop, admire and rest.

Waterfalls are as plentiful as Whisky in Isle of Skye, we saw many unmarked falls driving but made…read moreit a point to seek this one out. Because of the constant rain you can always see this small waterfall going directly into the ocean from the cliffs. You get the balsat columns forming the pleats of kilt rock in the background and this waterfall in the front. Kilt Rock is very similar to devils tower though there are wilder and more extreme basalt columns in other places on this planet. Unfortunately, what most pictures don't show is there is a fence blocking off most of the cliff and the pictures I took and the ones posted here is about the only angle you can safely get. I'm not sure if there are boat rides but that would be the only other way to see this from a different perspective. The whole fence is lined with people so you may have to wait for the best angle. What we thought would be a longer exploration ended up a pretty short stop.

This review is for the liquid, Mealt Falls that cascades over a cliff of solid rocks situated…read morecloser to the viewpoint shared for viewing the solid Kilt Rock. The water falls over a grassy cliff into the rocks/water below. When I visited on Sunday 14 July 2019, the parking was pretty packed, but the viewing area had fairly good turnover, so waiting was not too long. Fortunately, I got here in a calmer pulse of activity, when I left there were a number of vehicles circling. Near the viewpoint area there was a bagpiper playing music, which I quite enjoyed. I could still hear other people around me talking, but as a solo traveler I decided to think of the music as my audial companion. The falls itself is straightforward to spot and even in July had good water flow. Various seabirds flew past. Making my way back to the car, I decided to take a path through a grassy area and discovered what I might best describe as a urination station - toilet paper swabs everywhere in one corner. Tiny mounds of poop speckled in the grass. Flies buzzing in the yellow liquid in the grass... However, as the Mealt Falls viewing area was located atop sea cliffs, the wind carried most of the smell away. The area served as a reminder that there was no restroom at the falls.

When visiting the approximately 5,000 year old Calanais Stones (Stones of Callanish) on Thursday 11…read moreJuly 2019, I took a gander about both the visitor centre, including the gift shop, and the standing stones. The visitor centre was very informative and provided historical and spiritual context for the stones and their importance for the people who have lived in the area for the past few thousand years. I found a number of very cool finds at the gift shop that I bought including small rocks, a book with information about the stones, and a leather bracelet. A stone circle trail led out to the circle and around the different stones. Informational placards were located at different points along the trail. Coos (some also call them cows or cattle) in a field neighboring the stones watched on as I walked past and took pictures of them. I managed to catch the historical site in a lull before lunch and found a few other people exploring as well. As a geologist, it was fun to see the textures in the rocks that composed the stones. On my way out (around 12:30 p.m.), traffic was picking up with some people parking about half a mile down the street.

As far as neolithic Stone Circles go, they do not get more enigmatic and prodigious than The…read moreCallanish Stone Circle. The Callanish Stone Circle is older than Stonehenge, and one of the oldest stone circles in Europe. This stone circle is set in a remote and wild section of Scotland that is as beautiful as it is rugged, and the Stones of Callanish add another element of wonderment to the backdrop. Geoff D. didn't think the stones at Callanish were that big or impressive next to Stonehenge, but the stones at Callanish are most certainly bigger than "3 and 4 foot tall rocks that one can walk around in about 30 seconds". I am 5 foot 1, and the stones were several feet taller than I. Besides that, a comparison between Stonehenge and Callanish strikes me as such a novice mistake: both circles are entirely different. A big difference is that Callanish appears to fall in line with a lunar calendar, as opposed to a solar one. Considering the weather is much wilder in the Outer Hebrides compared to southern England, and that Callinash was excavated from a peat bog in 1857, I think it is amazing that this stone circle is in such good shape. Callanish wasn't reconstructed as Stonehenge was, it stands now how it was hundreds of years ago. Also, aside from Callanish, there are several other stone circles in the area that are in plain eye's view from Callanish. The mythology surrounding the Callanish circles is also intriguing, as this stone circle has a few unique theories attached to it. Some people explain the presence of the stones as the giants of old who then lived on the island. The giants refused to be Christianised, so St. Kieran turned them to stone. Another theory is that the stones were carved to look like an army of giants to thwart any Viking raid in the island. Who wants to raid an island protected by an army of giants? The Isle of Lewis is out there, even by Scottish standards, but certainly worth the trek. Not only for the stone circles either, the area is full of amazing sites.

The Fairy Glen became quite popular the past few years. Social Media playing a part....but without…read moreI might have not know about it as well. We actually didn't expect much, but were surprised by this small, but oh so charming area. All the famous spots are only about a 10-15min walk away from the main parking lot. Even some visitors seemed out of breath and calling it a hike (!), it's actually just a short walk with a quick steep section that doesn't take a trained person to climb. It's really easy. Even though I would at least recommend sneakers, not sandals or so. And of course it's a near impossible task for strollers, wheelchairs and visitors with walking disabilities. The "Castle" Ewen is visible from far away. But it's not an actual castle, but a rock formation. Named for its looks, because it really resembles some tower ruins. Arriving on top you will meet the first stone circle and then a large natural platform with wonderful views of the Glen Conon. It was a foggy and cloudy day. But that in my opinion just added to the magical atmosphere. Even though there aren't Fairy at work here. The stones in the circles are place by visitors and this isn't appreciated for many (good) reasons by the locals. And they do remove them from time to time...but they get being put back all the time. If you go back the way you came up (the first path up) you will miss the second and bigger circle. Take the further path down to come across it. There were visitors, but not as many as we thought. And the green glen, the views and all the little sights (including a good number of sheep) were far more impressive than we hoped for. It is indeed an amazing, pretty and magical spot here on Skye. It's a nice little walk. Even our English Bulldog managed fine - walking both ways - up and back down.

I visited the mystical Faerie Glen (Fairy Glen) on the Isle of Skye for the first time in the…read moreevening on Sunday 14 July 2019. After spotting the picturesque tiered/stepped hills and rocks of the glen from the road, I pulled over and parked in a small off-the-road dirt area to the side of the road. A picture I took of my rental car with the tiered landscape and some of the rocks in the background I posted on Instagram (later deleted my account in the first half of 2021), and my rental car company (Enterprise Rent-A-Car) asked if I would send them the picture (which I did) to be included in their marketing. Still find that pretty neat as of writing this on Friday 9 June 2023. There are a couple of ridges with tiered/stepped ground and as I had not been here before I took off on a small footpath. I soon found I was on a tiered ridge one ridge over from the glen... One ridge to the north, sheep were grazing and baa-ing. In the other direction was a ridge with some rocks that looked like they might be part of the glen. As I made my way to the ridge/area with the rocks at the top, I encountered grazing sheep and found a number of their droppings. Trees and flowers were along the path to the glen, including pink foxglove. The glen area was warm in tone on my visit, partially the summer evening sun and partially the colours of the landscape. Trails and rings in the glen were very well maintained and clear to see. It was a little on the cooler side temperature-wise for the places I visited that day and I was happy I brought a sweatshirt.

Wow!! This is an absolute must visit spot in the Highlands. You may think to ignore it because it's…read morea bit out of the way, but it's absolutely worth the visit! We arrived an hour before the train was scheduled to pass. We thought there was no way we'd see it, but the hike up took so long that we stuck around and it was worth the wait! There are two pathways. There's a quick view point behind the visitor center or a longer hike to the left. The hike can go as long as you'd like. We went to the viewpoint just above the tracks but you can go all the way to the station if you want! If you're able, it's absolutely worth making the climb. It isn't hard but it's best to have shows that can sustain some mud and water. The views were breathtaking and it was amazing to see the train pass through!

Glenfinnan Viaduct (in operation over 120 years as of writing this in 2023) is built between hills…read moreon the Scotland highlands landscape. A trail leads up by the viaduct and has flatter parts where one can stand or sit on a rock and watch the trains travel past. I watched a few trains travel past and spent a little over an hour here on Monday 15 July 2019. The number of viewers increased until an old-school/nostalgia train (red and black style from the 1970s and before) whistled as it made its way past. My first time to the viaduct, I came in the afternoon and found parking was backed up along the road about a mile from the main small parking lot. I decided to do something else and return later in the day. When I returned, around 6:20 p.m., I found parking in the lot and made my way towards the viaduct. Finding my way, I managed to get stung by nettles for the first time. A main paved roadway led to a path up past the viaduct. An information board at the parking lot area provided a map of the trails and other area-specific information. Warning sign(s) along the trail reminded visitors of fines for trespassing in certain areas. The blowing of the whistle of the trains as they approached and crossed the viaduct is something I remember to this day, Saturday 20 May 2023. I would guess such striking imagery is why that particular imagery was fitted into scenes in movies, television, and fantasy book series. Twas constructed decades before the conception of the "Harry Potter" series/franchise and inspired its creator to such an extent that they actually even decided to film here. Even some of the colours of the train lines operating across the viaduct were taken and incorporated into the fantasy series. Always interesting to see (and in this case both literally see and hear) how real-life places inspire fictional enterprises.