Don collected us after breakfast, and we headed straight to the “Fairy Pools” walk near Glenbrittle at the foot of the Black Cuillin Mountains. Apparently, they only called it the “Fairy pools” to attract tourists. Historically, the site never really had a name but one day someone just labelled it “Fairy Pools” on a local tourist map and the name stuck.
The walk to the pools uses the same route there and back on a purpose-made gravel path. The complete return distance to the first main waterfall and pool is c.2km. The scenery was beautiful. I know I say that a lot about the scenery in Scotland but it really was. With the Black Cuillin mountain range in the background, the crystal-clear pools are fed by little waterfalls which snake their way down the hillside beside the path. We saw (mad) swimmers having a dip – they did not look warm. We also saw one lady who had clearly slipped and hurt herself. Phil had to stop me from leaping into first aider mode.
After the Fairy Pools we headed to Old Bridge and the Collie and MacKenzie statue. Don told us the history of the area and how there is an annual competition to run from the pub at the Sligachan Hotel (which currently happens to be run by his son-in-law) to the top of Glamaig in the Northern Hills of the Red Cuillin mountains and back. The fastest athletes can make the climb in 45 minutes which genuinely seems unbelievable but is apparently true (I fact checked it on the internet). The race is said to commemorate the first running ascent made in 1899 by a Sherpa called Harkabir Thapa, who ran bare foot from the Sligachan Hotel bar to the top of the mountain and back in 75 minutes.
We headed to Portree for lunch and Don dropped us off at The Cuillin Hills Hotel, a beautiful hotel set within acres of mature gardens overlooking Portree Bay and the Sound of Raasay. We had a scrumptious lunch with champagne followed by a wonder around the gardens. It was definitely a highlight for me – The sun was shining, and we supped our champagne admiring the little boats coming and going from Portree harbour.
After lunch, Don dropped us back to the hotel and we said our goodbyes. Dad went for a rest whilst Phil and I walked to the local pottery shop (three minutes away). I was very restrained and didn’t buy anything.
In the evening, we went to dinner next door at the Edinbane Inn before heading back for cocktails at our hotel bar. Phil did his Talisker whisky tasting, and we chatted to the bar man (who once dated Danny MacAskill’s sister – Small world).