I’m always looking for a good story to inspire, and Isle of Skye did not disappoint. When I stepped onto the Scottish isle for the first time, my eyes widened as I took in the lush, green hills broken up by craggy rock formations. They were already becoming an impressionist color palette in my mind. As we climbed the mountains, turning sharp corners, our guide would share stories of fairies and mystical monsters. The rocky lava terrain alternated with massive formations and green expanses. Sheep were everywhere. The scale was unbelievable and the photographs did not do this beauty justice.

Fairytales and mystical monsters are central to the history of this 639 sq. mile island. People have lived on the Isle of Skye since the Stone Age, and their stories have been passed down through oral tradition - much like the Southern folklore I learned from my elders. Mythological tales and history have melded together, and now it’s impossible to explain one without the other.

These stories about the Isle of Skye create a magical place where one keeps their eyes open in case a fairy flits across the green. The fantasy captivates not only the mind, but all senses. The photographs seriously can’t do it justice.

The map to Skye required passing through the Scottish highlands. One formation that couldn’t be missed was the Old Man of Storr. Supposedly the old man did not want to leave the mountain where his wife had died, so the fairies decided to grant his wish and turned him to stone. You can see his rocky face sticking out of the hillside.

Another stop was the memorable Fairy Glen, where, according to Scottish folklore, fairies live underground in small hills and mounds beneath the grass. We climbed the steep rocks through a narrow passage to the top of a formation called Castle Ewan. From the top you could see a beautiful 360 view of the Fairy Glen, with Rowan trees spotting the landscape. Known sometimes as a fairy tree, the Rowan tree symbolizes life. It is believed to offer protection against witchcraft and evil. There was a stand of these trees along the walk to the glen. I believe it will make a beautiful painting that will channel the laughter of the fairies. Stay tuned.

No trip is complete without seeing the Loch Ness, which is famous for its lore of the infamous monster that resides there. Some accounts of this mythical beast date back to 500 AD, when carvings from that time show a creature in the lake. A 7th century missionary wrote of a confrontation with a beast who was attacking people in the lake. Stories and sightings continue, and the legend of Nessie is a part of local history.

Why is Isle of Skye a must-visit when in Scotland? This windswept coastline is wild and untamed. Its mountains are massive and the bright, green, rolling mounds stretch as far as the eye can see. The landscape and the folklore create a Tolkienesque eeriness that will remain with you.