Fairy Pools and Waterfalls, Isle of Skye

At foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle are the Fairy Pools, beautifully crystal clear blue pools on the River Brittle. it is possible to jump into deep blue pool (approximately 10 meters high).  No one was doing this when we were there though there were some odd socks and pants lying on the path!

Old Man of Storr

Old Man of Storr

Old Man of Storr

The Quiraing

The Quiraing 

Skye in the shadow of the Black Cuillin Mountains

Sligachan Bridge, Isle of Skye

Sligachan is situated at the junction of the roads from Portree, Dunvegan and Broadford. The Sligachan hotel was built in around 1830 at this road junction. Many early climbers chose this as a spot to start ascents of the Cuillin.  I have not found out where the popular route starts today.  It is said, that  in 1395 the Lord of the Isles attached Skye, but William MacLeod met the MacDonalds at Sligachan and drove them back to Loch Eynort (Ainort). There they found that their galleys had been moved offshore by the MacAskills, and every invader was killed. Well, I found this interested as I met Lord McDonald and Clare McDonald (Winning cook, food writer and author  of many cook books) at New Market "Presents Galore " Christmas event where I bought my best ever pepper grounder from Lord Mc Donald.  He was right it is a great piece of kit!  http://www.kinloch-lodge.co.uk/clairemacdonald.aspx

Skye Highlights

The Queen's House, Greenwich

The Queen’s House, designed by Inigo Jones was built between 1616 and 1635, and is the earliest english building in the Italian Renaissance Palladian style. (influenced by the Villa medicea di Poggio a Caiano, and designed by Giuliano de Sangallo)  It was commissioned by Anne of Denmark, wife of King James 1. It is surmised that James 1 gave the manor of Greenwich to Anne in apology for having sworn at her in public, after she accidentally shot one of his favourite dogs while hunting in 1614.  Building of the house ceased in1618 when Ann became ill and died in 1619.  Charles 1, James' son gave the house to his queen, Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henri IV of France.  The house is famous for the marble floor and the ironwork of the "tulip stairs" the first centrally, unsupported spiral staircase in Britain. 

Marble Floor

The Tulip Stairs

Greenwich Observatory 

Tall Ships, Greenwich

Cutty Sark

Looking for treasure - Tall ships Greenwich