One of my last photo locations on the Isle of Skye was the Fairy Glen near Uig. It’s a smaller and softer version of the Quiraing with rounded grassy knolls topped with it’s own castle — a rock known as Castle Ewen.
I spent a delightful afternoon exploring the miniature landscape. At least it seemed miniature compared to some of the more dramatic landscapes on Skye, but still it had much to explore.
During my wanderings, I came across a stone labyrinth. Since it is called the “Fairy Glen” and knowing Scotland has a rich folklore about fairies and standing stone circles, I imagined there would be quite a tale about what the fairies were up to here and that this collection of stones may have been here for thousands of years.
I was wrong!
It turns out the stone labyrinth was made by tourists, who also make quite a number of stone inuksuit believing it will bring them good luck. This rearranging of the rocks is considered vandalism by the locals since it causes erosion of the land. Every year the locals mount an enormous effort to return the rocks to their natural condition just scattered about.
In a way I’m glad I found it when I did because it makes such an interesting foreground! But on the other hand, I firmly believe that nature should be left alone. It’s beautiful just as it is.
Beautiful images, Anne – the colours are so dense and rich.
Funny this thing people have about moving rocks around, isn’t it? Everywhere we go on our boat these days, we seem to find inukshuks made in recent times by non-Inuit visitors. Kind of a Kilroy was here icon, I guess. Sometimes they are useful, marking reefs that cover at high tide – those stone piles I can definitely appreciate. The ones you’ve photographed are really interesting visually but I can see why the locals are not exactly appreciative!
Hi Laurie, I found a little blurb I wrote on a blog posts from many years ago when I photographed one in Newfoundland:
“Many people that do not live in the north have never seen an Inuksuk (pronounced Inukshuk). Perhaps their first exposure was the logo from the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. In Canada they are common navigational markers used by the Inuit and are even becomming commonplace among hikers.
Inuksuit (plural of Inuksuk) are used to mark travel routes or a specific place of interest like a good fishing spot, a camp, or a hunting ground. In recent years hikers have found that making them is easy and they are so much more attractive than a sign marking the way in the wilderness.”
They are extremely helpful when used the right way. Thank you for your visit and comments!
Thank you for the lovely images, Anne -,
I must admit that I was a rock-collector and mover (now and then) and It never occurred to me that I might harm the environment. by doing so. Didn’t know that rearranging the rocks causes erosion – from now on I shall cease and desist the urge to change their position. I will instead follow the Leave-No-Trace ethics,
As for inuksuk’s, here in Canada there are provinces where we have them on the side of the road. I travelled in Quebec and Ontario and I saw many, made by travelers and it means: “I was here”. I always asked who would make these because they are usually on high, hard to access places.
Before it was spray-painting rocks on the roadside, now it’s inukshuk’s. I think both are wrong.
Hi Agnes, I’m glad my post has such a positive outcome! I think a lot of people are unaware of the resulting erosion and also, outside of the frame of this photo, there are thousands of rocks that people have made into inuksuit. There are hundreds of these inuksuit all in one location and apparently those are a hazard to wildlife. Just imagine a cow trying to get through that at night.
I think Inuksuks (I always have trouble actually using the proper plural inuksuit!) are excellent when used the right way. They are supposed to be navigational markers. I remember hiking in Arizona one time and there was a hand made sign at the beginning saying there was a marked trail. But I came across a woman who couldn’t find the trail that was obvious to me because I recognized the Inuksuks. So when people build those and put them in irrelevant places, they could actually be causing hikers to get lost thinking that the Inuksuk marked the trail.
I wonder if those ones you see by the road actually mark the way to something? It wouldn’t surprise me if it marked the way to a reservation or some otherwise important location.
Thank you for your comments, much appreciated!
Hi Anne, I’ve been really enjoying all your posts and photos from Skye. My wife and I are planning a trip to Scotland next year and Skye is high on the list. About how many days there would you recommend to do it justice?
Hi Robert, There is so much to see and appreciate on Skye. I would definitely give it a week so you don’t have to rush through everything. I know some people do it in 2-3 days, but I much prefer slow travel and you certainly wont run out of beautiful landscapes there. When I was there a hurricane passed through and I lost a couple of days, so I actually spent 10 days all together. I wouldn’t hesitate to go for a week again. I hope that helps!
Hello Anne.
This is great work. I’m glad you’e following you passion. I’m getting back into photography. These are truly inspiring pictures,
Thank you very much Pardeap, I appreciate that.