The famous Fairy Pools on the mystical Isle of Skye are steeped in ancient legends and folklore. The Fairy Pools are made up of a series of natural waterfalls, pools, and streams that form an enchanting realm that’s a popular attraction for visitors to the area.
But it’s not just humans that appreciate the magical Fairy Pools, because they are also frequented by native visitors, such as red deer, rabbits, and a whole array of birds including gray herons, dunlines, curlews, and large flocks of crows and ravens. And what’s more, if the legends are true, on a moonlit night you might even come across a few fairies, dancing beneath the waterfalls!
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, the Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle are a vibrant aqua-blue color and a favorite spot for wild swimming – provided you don’t mind the chilly waters. These spectacular waterfalls and pools were practically unheard of outside of Scotland until recently when they gained worldwide attention and quickly became a beloved attraction for visitors to the Isle of Skye.
The surrounding scenery of the Isle of Skye is filled with dramatic rocky coves, sweeping plains of flowering heather, secluded woodlands and rugged pastures where local herds of specially bred sheep graze contentedly among the harsh wilderness of the graceful Scottish island. There are also numerous hiking trails to explore and a magnificent selection of traditional restaurants that serve exemplary seafood and regional cuisine.
Of course, no trip to the Isle of Skye would be complete without visiting one of the island’s public houses – the perfect place to order a pint of ale and learn about the local folklore of the island.
How Do You Get To The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is located off the West Coast of Scotland. The easiest way to get to the Isle of Skye is to rent a car in central Glasgow and drive to Mallaig on the western coast.
Once you reach Mallaig, you need to catch the ferry to Armadale. The ferry takes around 30 minutes, during which you’ll be able to marvel at the amazing ocean views and take in the fierce wonder of Scotland’s western coastline. After reaching the Isle of Skye, you can check into your accommodation or head directly to the Fairy Pools.
The Fairy Pools are located just beyond the village of Carbost on the Minginish peninsula on the western side of the Isle of Skye. To get to the Fairy Pools you need to turn off from the B8009 road, about 5 miles from Glen Brittle and drive down the narrow, single-track road to the public car park. If you’re driving from Portree, the island’s capital, the drive is roughly 20 miles and should take you no more than about 30 minutes.
It’s absolutely free to visit the Fairy Pools but you do have to pay a small fee of around £6 per day for the car parking. This gives you plenty of time to explore, have a picnic and take in the scenery around the Fairy Pools before returning to your car. From the car park, it’s a 20-minute walk down to the first of the Fairy Pools. The path looks a little bit rough but don’t be put off! It’s actually a safe and fairly easy walk, as long as you stick to the path.
What’s The Best Time to Visit the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, Scotland?
The ideal time to visit the Fairy Pools is from late March, in the spring, through until September, at the end of the summer. Winter on the Isle of Skye can get very cold, with strong winds and frequent storms. The summer, by contrast, is warm and mild and, due to the northern latitude of the Isle of Skye, the sun sets late in the evening so you have lots of time to enjoy your adventures during the day.
What Is There To Do On The Isle of Skye, Scotland?
Visit the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye
Once you’ve settled into your accommodation on the Isle of Skye, a trip to the Fairy Pools should be right at the top of your list of things to do. These magical waterfalls, with their bright blue waters and the enchanting surroundings that wouldn’t look out of place in a Lord of the Rings movie, truly are a natural wonder to behold.
After reaching the first of the Fairy Pools you can continue to work your way up the river to discover a whole series of other waterfalls, pools and water features. Some of the pools are large enough for wild swimming and during the summer you can cool off your feet in the shallower ones. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled, and your camera at the ready, for herons, red deer and other native wildlife that you may see along the way.
It’s a great idea to bring along a picnic for your trip to the Fairy Pools. That way, you can settle down on the banks beside a waterfall, and eat your food while taking in the awe-inspiring scenery and serene beauty of the Fairy Pools. It’s highly advisable to wear a good pair of walking shoes, such as hiking boots or trekking sandals, to ensure you don’t twist your ankle on the rocky pathways.
Take a Private Tour of the Isle of Skye from Portree
If you’d like to learn about the history of the island and see its most famous landmarks and attractions, then why not join a full-day private guided tour? Departing from Portree, the island’s capital, your guide will take you to the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, Dunvegan Castle and its gardens. You’ll also have lots of opportunities to explore the stunning landscapes during your stop-offs, and your guide will always be on hand with fascinating tales about the turbulent history of this remarkable island.
The complete tour lasts around 6 hours and 30 minutes in an air-conditioned vehicle. You should bring your own packed lunch, bottled water and snacks because there are no restaurant stops along the way. It’s also a good idea to wear good walking shoes because you’ll be exploring some fairly rugged locations in the wilderness of Skye during the day.
You can reserve your place or find out more about the tour here.
Take A Self-Guided Driving Tour of the Isle of Skye
If you’ve rented a car and want to take your adventure of exploration into your own hands, then you can opt for a self-guided tour of the island. This gives you the maximum amount of freedom to follow your nose and discover off-the-beaten sites while still benefiting from the captivating storytelling of the pre-recorded guide, linked up with your location via GPS in real-time. With a fully offline map to help you find your way, you don’t need active WiFi and can plan your route around the island with ease.
Once you’ve purchased your self-guided tour you simply activate it via the Trippy Tour Guide App. The self-guided tour is an extremely cost-effective way to see the island and what’s more, once you’ve paid for the tour you can continue to access it for as long as you want. This means there’s no need to rush your explorations of the Isle of Skye as you delve into the fascinating history of the island.
You can find out more about the self-guided tour of the Isle of Skye and book your download, here.
Taste the Best of Scottish Cuisine at the Cuillin Hills View Restaurant
Specializing in Scottish, British, European and vegetarian cuisine, the Cuillin Hills View Restaurant serves a delicious range of locally sourced, high-quality food in a dining area that has spectacular views across the ocean bay below. Set in a friendly, relaxed and elegant dining area, the helpful staff are always on hand to give you tips about the latest specials on the menu.
The Cuillin Hills View Restaurant is particularly renowned for its wild seafood which is all collected from the surrounding shorelines, including freshly caught scallops, lobsters, langoustines and crabs. You can also taste the finest wild red deer and roe deer from the nearby Glen Urquhart as well as regionally farmed Scottish salmon. All of the Cuillin Hills View Restaurant’s dishes are even seasoned with Isle of Skye Sea Salt – so you really do get to taste some of the island’s most famous home-grown delicacies!
You can find out more and reserve your table for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience at the Cuillin Hills View Restaurant, here.
Stay at the Duisdale House Hotel
The Duisdale House Hotel is a luxury family-run boutique hotel that has awe-inspiring views over the sea loch and the mountains beyond. Located on Skye’s southern Sleat Peninsula, the former up-market Victorian mansion and hunting lodge has beautiful private gardens, an outdoor jacuzzi, and is surrounded by tranquil footpaths that crisscross the ancient woodlands.
With a nice selection of fully equipped deluxe rooms, each with free WiFi, LCD TVs, ensuite bathrooms, complimentary toiletries and bathrobes, as well as tea and coffee-making facilities, your stay on the island couldn’t be more comfortable.
The hotel has its own award-winning 2 AA Rosettes restaurant and an adjacent lounge with a log fire and patio that overlooks the peaceful gardens. There’s also a traditional bar that is stocked with local malt whiskies, regionally produced gins, wines and a whole range of contemporary beverages. Situated just 10 minutes from Broadford, the hotel is ideally positioned to explore the Isle of Skye while enjoying your stay in the lap of luxury.
