The Isle of Skye's Glen Brittle

The light stumbles over the hills, falls cold beyond the sward. A river and a road wend through Skye’s Glen Brittle en route to Loch Eynort, where they will stop. The sublime traverse nearly forgotten in its ending. I heard tell that fairy pools hid amongst the glowering hills, but the newly-flushed burns and streamlets thwart my exploration. It’s no bother; everything in this beguiling half-light is of the fairy realm. There is little to draw the eye in this glen, the visual equivalent of silencing the ever-chattering voices of the mind. Meditation. 

The name Glen Brittle is an anglicization of the Gaelo-Norse, but it feels right. The hard Black Cuillins soar to the southeast, but this space feels brittle, fragile, thin. It could disappear in a blink or a breath. This is why I come to Scotland. This moment as the light and the dark slide over me. And this one. And this one. And this one. It is not the activities I wish to do that compel me to Scotland, but rather the places I wish to find that bring this feeling into perception. I watch the light clamber over the hills. Something is speaking to me and I can almost understand the message.

Article Comments

  1. Andi February 1, 2013 at 9:12 am

    Looks so peaceful!

  2. Gayla~ February 4, 2013 at 4:32 am

    There’s likely some truth to that legend. This definitely looks like the realm of the fairies – those may have been the voices you heard 🙂
    The greenness of the rolling hills, the shadow and light. It is a dramatic, yet peaceful landscape. I hope to get there someday…

    1. Keith Savage February 4, 2013 at 8:35 am

      There was a time when I thought Skye was over-rated, but the more I look through my pictures the more I realize just how shockingly majestic the place is. It’s a must-visit.

  3. Hogga February 5, 2013 at 8:27 am

    great shot!

  4. Marysia @ My Travel Affairs February 8, 2013 at 5:26 am

    Great shoot, especially clouds above the hills. I love local legends! I think world is more beautiful with them 🙂

    1. Keith Savage February 8, 2013 at 8:35 am

      Totally agree. And I love how the legends make me wonder what information is lost or hidden. Wondrous.

  5. Edinburgh flights February 12, 2013 at 4:32 am

    I fall in love with Scotland over and over again when I see the pictures you take and I am not even surprised that there is a local legend attached to every corner of this wonderful land! The ancient tales just make every place so charming and mysterious…

  6. Stephanie November 26, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    This post (beautiful writing) is exactly why I’ve been longing to come back to Scotland, specifically to Skye. Can’t wait.

Leave Me A Comment

Scotland's Calling!

Subscribe and confirm your subscription to receive my posts via e-mail.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.