Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Autumn
Skye has one or two “hotspots” that are perhaps vastly more popular for visitors than other areas around the island. The Storr might be considered one of those hotspots.
Another would be the Fairy Pools of Glen Brittle.
The last time I checked out the Fairy Pools was way back in 2013, when we first explored the Isle of Skye. I was instantly beguiled by the variety of cascades and waterfalls, creating pools of brilliant turquoise as a result of the crystal clear water and reflecting the colours of the rocks.
As you climb up the path alongside, the backdrop is increasingly dominated by the jagged skyline of the Black Cuillins, particularly the peak of Sgùrr an Fheadain (689 m/2,260 ft) and the fissure that runs down it known as Waterpipe Gully.
After capturing all kinds of compositions around the Fairy Pools, noting the light changes as the sun rose above the Black Cuillins, we ventured further down Glen Brittle to check out some of the less-visited cascades and falls. In particular, after a short but steep hike, we were floored to discover a sudden gorge dropping beneath our feet and a huge waterfall falling into it, with the Black Cuillins framed above. An absolutely incredible sight.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 with both a Samyang 35mm f/1.2 and a Laowa 9mm f/2.8 lens using a customised Pro Negative Standard film profile.
The shooting started almost immediately after parking up, as we could see the rising sun just starting to peak above Sgùrr an Fheadain, casting beams of light around the mountain. Incredible scenery.
As we hiked further up the path the hill fog started to burn off, revealing some of the tops of the Black Cuillins. This peak in particular is Sgùrr Thuilm (meaning “Rocky peak of the hillock”) and measures 881 m/2,890 ft high.
This is one of the bigger waterfalls of the Fairy Pools. The photo is comprised of 6 landscape frames, shot top to bottom, and merged into a single “bokehrama”.
At this point of the river, known as Allt Coir’ a’ Tairneilear, the bigger waterfalls give away to a myriad of criss-crossing smaller cascades, each creating their own little pools of brilliant turquoise. The rising sun was getting above the Black Cuillins, casting strong golden light on the carved rock forms of the river.
Probably my favourite composition from the whole hike, tracing the winding carved rock through to the falls and the mountains beyond as the sun highlights their forms.
One of the last cascades on the Allt Coir’ a’ Tairneilear before the river flattens out directly underneath Sgùrr an Fheadain. Beautiful golden light picks out the various ridges and shelves of rock around the river.
My lovely Lisabet, on our way back down the valley.
The hills that form the western side of the Glen Brittle valley, catching the post-sunrise light. Right to left: Beinn a’ Bhràghad (459 m/1,505 ft), Beinn Staic (412 m/1,351 ft), and An Cruachan (435 m/1,427 ft).
Taking one last look at Sgùrr an Fheadain and the rest of the Black Cuillins as the hill fog clears further.
Further down Glen Brittle, towards its terminus as it pours out into Loch Brittle, you can hike up alongside less-visited rivers and their own waterfalls. Near the Glen Brittle Youth Hostel we park for a hike up the river Allt Coire Banachdich, as it pours down from the western flanks of the Black Cuillins. 300+ ft up the river this view suddenly opens up, revealing a deep and sheer gorge that the river has carved, now dropping 150+ ft as the waterfall known as Eas Mòr. A truly awe-inspiring site, especially with the western Black Cuillins above.
The last of the season’s heather provides a nice colour contrast against all the greens and golds. The top of Eas Mòr catches the light before plunging 154 ft into the gorge. Above, the peak of Sgùrr Dearg (985.8 m/3,234 ft, meaning “Red peak”) dominates.