The Fairy Pools are one of the most popular places to visit on the Isle of Skye. This stream of multiple waterfalls sits at the foot of the Black Cuillin Mountains, near Glenbrittle. The crystal clear blue pools are perfect for a wild swimming on the Isle of Skye with the stunning backdrop behind you.
If you are not feeling the cold water dip, make sure you have got your camera as this landscape is a photographers heaven.
There is charged parking available for the Fairy Pools and the pools are a short walk away from there.
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The Fairy Pools are a must on your Isle of Skye itinerary. In this guide, we will discuss the best time to go to the Fairy Pools as well as the following:
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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What are the Fairy Pools?
The Fairy Pools are a magnificent natural phenomenon on the Isle of Skye. Tourists flock to this part of the island every year to get a view of the cascading waterfalls in amongst the mountains. From the car park, the Fairy Pools are around a 20-30 minute walk away on some rough terrain which also includes crossing the river.
Where are the Fairy Pools?
The Fairy Pools are located in Glenbrittle on the Isle of Skye. They are a bit out of the way from many of the other popular tourist attractions on the island, however we would say that it is worth the trip if you visit at the right time. Although a short walk away, The Fairy Pools can be seen from single track road that you will drive along to get to the car park so they are very easy to find.
How to get to the Fairy Pools?
From Portree, it is around a 30 minute drive to get to the Fairy Pools. Follow the road signs for Carbost and turn towards Glenbrittle before you reach the town. Follow the single track road for around 10 minutes until you see the car park.
There is a free car park on the left just after the cattle grid. The walk will take maybe an extra 10 minutes from here.
The main car park for the Fairy Pools sits further down the hill on the right. Charges apply for this car park Car £6 , Motorhome/Other £8 , Minibus £15.
From the car park, you will see the path leading towards the Fairy Pools. This can be uneven underfoot so we would recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes. you will also need to cross some stepping stones across the river. During periods of heavy rain this can flood and the river may flow above the rocks.
There is no public transport service to the Fairy Pools. The nearest bus stop is Uig, a 30 minute walk away.
Why Should I go to the Fairy Pools?
This iconic natural formation is a popular place for walkers and those who enjoy wild swimming. There are many spots perfect for going for a dip in the crystal clear turquoise waters.
When Should I Visit the Isle of Skye?
Due to the popularity of the Fairy Pools, we would recommend avoiding the middle of the day to visit. Sunrise and sunset will allow you to enjoy the serenity of your surroundings at this beautiful spot without feeling like you are walking up a busy high street. Visiting after recent rainfall will allow you to see the river and waterfalls in full flow and make the water a bit deeper for swimming in. If the weather has been too dry, the river has been known to dry up.
Before You Leave on Your Trip to the Isle of Skye
Before you leave on your trip to the Isle of Skye there are a few things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. These include how to get there and around the island, what to pack and where to stay, all of which are discussed below.
How to Get to the Isle of Skye
Drive
The Isle of Skye is connected to mainland Scotland by the Skye Bridge, a free road bridge, from Kyle of Lochalsh to the village of Kyleakin on the island. In high winds, the bridge will close to high vehicles and on days of particularly extreme weather, the bridge may close to all vehicles.
Ferry
Another option is to get the ferry over to Skye which typically takes around 30 minutes, leaving from Mallaig on the mainland to Armadale. You can check the timetables online as there is typically only a morning and afternoon ferry running.
Bus
If you are travelling to Skye without a vehicle, buses run from Scotland’s major cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh direct to Isle of Skye’s capital, Portree. Buses to the Isle of Skye run from other areas in Scotland and you can plan your bus journey to Skye here.
Once you are on the island, you can book onto a tour that departs from Portree and takes you around the best sights that there are to see on the island. Read more about this tour and book your place right here.
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye
These recommendations may vary depending on what activities you are wanting to do whilst on the island. We have based these accommodations close to the centre of the island and near Portree. In the summer Portree is extremely busy and we would recommend that you look to stay elsewhere if you want to avoid the crowds and traffic.
In the winter months, however, Portree is a pleasant and central location from which it is easy to get to many of the sights around the island.
Luxury – If you are looking for a comfortable apartment stay to come home to after a day exploring, Quayside Apartment is the perfect place for you. With spectacular views and a good central location, this accommodation is comfort plus for your next trip to Skye.
Book your stay at the Quayside Apartments right here.
Mid-range – The Portree Hotel is a great central location for your stay in Skye. This hotel overlooks the main square in Portree and during the winter months, there are wood-burning stoves to keep you warm after a day of exploring.
Book your stay at the Portree Hotel right here.
Budget – If you are looking for a budget place to rest your head but still have a great view, The Pink House is the place to stay just for that. A continental breakfast is included in your stay and you can book a room with a great view out to sea.
Book your stay at the Pink House right here.
If hostels are more your scene, you can check out the hostels available in Isle of Skye here.
What to Pack for the Isle of Skye
When it comes to packing for a trip to Scotland there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Scotland on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your trip to the Isle of Skye in winter, you can expect rain at some point. Due to this, the number one item on your packing list is a good waterproof jacket.
Second to that, another item to not leave home without is a good pair of warm and, if possible, waterproof boots. A lot of the best sights on Skye require a bit of walking to reach them and the conditions underfoot can become very muddy. You do not want to ruin a good pair of white trainers so pack some sturdy boots.
You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the winter months as the wind chill can be bitter.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around the Isle of Skye, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Scotland
We know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, your guide to where to stay on the Isle of Skye, glamping edition. If you are visiting this incredible place and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was! Did you get a clear day to see the sights? Did you manage the trip without getting caught in the rain? Let us know in the comments below!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning walk.
If you are planning a Scotland trip soon then check out our other Scotland content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
Read Now:
- Visiting the Isle of Skye in Winter – All You Need to Know
- Isle of Skye – The Best Things to Do in Skye
- Isle of Skye Itinerary – One Day on the Isle of Skye
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