The spectacular Isle of Skye is blessed with a plethora of breath-taking natural features, making it a popular destination for visitors to Scotland and the Inner Hebrides archipelago.
And among the most jaw-dropping of these features are the Fairy Pools, located towards the west of the island, near the village of Carbost in Glenbrittle.
Rock pools of gorgeous, crystal clear spring water are fed by waterfalls cascading from the Cuillin Mountains and whether you’re feeling brave enough to take a dip in the pools, or simply want to admire the collection of waterfalls and rock pools from dry land, the Fairy Pools truly are a sight to behold.
Getting there and things you should know
While parking is available, for a fee, in the Forestry Commission car park, there is still a 2.4km walk to the Fairy Pools. But boy, is it worth it. Not only are you rewarded with the beauty of the Fairy Pools along the way, but the walk itself boasts many other spectacular sights, and is well worth the trip in its own right.
Try and spot Macleod’s Tables, Glen Brittle, Coire na Creiche and the impressing pinnacle of Sgurr an Fheadain along the way.
Be aware, the walk does include river crossings over stepping stones, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear, especially in wet or cold weather.
Things to see nearby
The Black Cuillins backdrop to the walk around the Fairy Pools is truly breath-taking whatever the weather. And, due to the location, adventurous explorers will enjoy checking out the range of walks, hikes and climbs around the area.
If you can bear to drag yourself away from the scenery on offer, you can drive the five miles to nearby Carbost, where a well-earned visit to Talisker Distillery could be in order.
For more outdoor adventures, Carbost Burn Waterfall is also in the vicinity, or you can travel a little further up the road to Dunvegan Castle and Gardens – the oldest continuously inhabited castle in the whole of Scotland.
Places to eat and drink nearby
At the nearby Glenbrittle Campsite is a highly regarded café, providing walkers with a welcome cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
For something more substantial, Seumas’ Bar in Sligachan is well worth a visit, while in the other direction in Carbost, head to The Old Inn and Waterfront Bunkhouse, a two-minute walk from Talisker Distillery. Also in Carbost, you’ll find Caora Dhubh Coffee Company for a quick pick-me-up.
Did you know…
The Fairy Pools are one of the Isle of Skye’s ‘Big Five’ attractions, along with the Old Man of Storr, Fairy Glen, Quiraing and Neist Point, which help draw around 650,000 visitors to the Island each year. Around 190,000 of those tourists take time to visit the Fairy Pools, prompting new toilet facilities to be put on hold in the summer of 2019, due to a surge in footfall between then and the
time the toilets were designed four years earlier, when Fairy Pools received just 100,000 visitors per year. It was decided the proposed new toilet facilities would be unable to cope with the demand.
