The Fairy Pools and Coire na Creiche.
Start. Glen Brittle.
Route. Glen Brittle - Fairy Pools - Allt Coir a Mhadaidh - cairns - Bealach a' Mhaim - Glen Brittle.
Notes. This was a walk taking in a series of crystal clear pools, the tumbling waters of Allt Cor a Mhadaidh guided us through Coire na Creiche, a chance to get close to the mighty Cuillin without much effort. Walking the banks of the burn it's hard to imagine what lies beneath the surface, I've heard the Fairy Pools described as the "worst-kept secret amongst British wild swimmers". For a better idea check out A Magical Dip in Sky's Fairy Pools. Our return was made across the boggy lower slopes of the Bruachna na Frithe ridge, there is a slightly higher path that was probably far dryer. The many voices of another mountain burn (Allt a Mhaim) guided us back into the glen.
We left the car park heading over the surface of a way-marked path, it was obvious this was a popular walk. After fording the infant River Brittle we followed the main path along the bank of Allt Cor a Mhadaidh, the many voices of the burn accompanied us up the hill, the plan was simple, follow the burn to the head of the corrie then hopefully pick up a faint path heading north. The said path was clearly marked by two small cairns, the walk north turned out to be quite wet under foot, certain stretches required a small amount of bog hopping, as we picked our way along this path the views over Coire na Creiche down Glen Brittle opened up. With dry feet we eventually reached Allt a Mhaom, after fording the burn we joined the main path heading over Bealach a' Mhaim from Sligachan. This good path guided us back to our starting point.
Glen Brittle and the lower slopes of Sgurr Thuilm, seen from near the car park.
Sue strides out into Coire na Creiche, ahead the long ridge leading to Bruach na Frithe with Sgurr an Fheadain to the right.
Approaching the Fairy Pools.
Looking to The Arch, a favourite place for wild swimmers.
Seen over Glen Brittle, Beinn a' Bhraghad.
Taking a closer look at The Arch.
One of many cataracts and cascades passed en route.
This is what the photographer in the shot above was photographing, wonderful colours through crystal clear water.
Another gorge and another curtain of falling water.
Precariously balanced to get the best possible angle, there was a distinct possibility of falling in when I turned to make my retreat, I threw the camera to Sue, who caught it before making my escape.
Beinn a' Bhraghad rises above the Glen Brittle Forest.
Orange pigment stains the rocks in a number of places up the burn, it looks like a giants escaped from this deep pool.
Another wonderful water chute.
The problem with photographing waterfalls is there's no sense of perspective, here's Sue putting things into proportion.
A moody view to the Cuillin, Coir a Mhadaidh with cloud tumbling over the summit of Bidein Druim nan Ramh.
Looking into Coir a Tairneilear with the pyramid like Sgurr an Fheadain to the right and the pointed summit of Sgurr na Bhairnch directly ahead.
Views across Coire na Creiche, grey on the horizon Macleod's Tables, Healabhal Mhor and Healabhal Bheag.
Wonderful rock architecture of the mighty Cuillin seen from the boggy path across the lower slopes of Bruach na Frithe.
Another view to Macleod's Tables.
Beinn Staic across Glen Brittle with Beinn a' Bhraghad to the right.
Viewing Sgurr Thuilm through a blanket of drizzle.
Some of the best views down Glen Brittle are to be had from the path Bealach a' Mhaim path, before cloud obscures the views, Beinn a' Bhraghad, in the middle Beinn Staic followed by Truagh Mheall.
A final look to an atmospheric Sgurr Thuilm.
A waterfall filled ravine, the last obstacle before the car park, this was definitely a wet foot moment.