Magical Skye is reason I moved to Scotland

MY favourite holiday spot isn’t anywhere in my native Canada – it’s the Isle of Skye.

In fact, it’s the reason I decided to come across here to stay.

My sister was living in London back in 2014 and I came to visit.

We decided to come to Scotland and when I was looking at where we might go to, I came across Skye on the internet.

I was so taken by the landscape that I just had to see it for myself – and as soon as I did I fell head over heels in love with the place.

We’d taken the ferry across and then the bus to Portree.

We were met by an amazing guy called Patrick who managed the hostel where we were staying.

He made the perfect first impression, a real embodiment of the kindness and spirit of adventure.

He’d point us in the direction of hidden gems we wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

One thing we quickly learned was that if someone tells you it’s an easy walk, what they actually mean is it’s a massive hike over really rugged ground.

We loved the Cuillins, but my favourite place was the Fairy Pools.

They were as magical as we’d been told, a wonderful green colour that reminded me of emeralds.

We’d heard about swimming in them and even though it was October we decided to do it.

Yes, it was cold but not as freezing as we’d feared and it was one of the best moments in my life.

I think I got my taste for the outdoors life from childhood holidays in Canada.

We’d go to Algonquin Park, which was about a four-hour drive from our home.

It was full of fun and adventure although you did have to watch out for the animals.

We were warned about bears, but I remember one day we came back to find our cooler had been raided and the food taken by raccoons who’d mastered the childproof lock!