The Isle of Skye is a magical place, filled with stunning landscapes and natural wonders. From the rugged coastline to the towering mountains, Skye has something for everyone. One of the most popular destinations on the island is Glenbrittle Falls, a beautiful waterfall located on the west coast of Skye.
Glenbrittle Falls is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the island, and is often combined with a visit to the nearby Fairy Pools. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Glenbrittle Falls is, where it is located, how to get there, when to visit, and why you should add it to your travel itinerary for the Isle of Skye.
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Glenbrittle Falls – A Complete Guide to Visiting
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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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.
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What is Glenbrittle Falls?
Glenbrittle Falls is a beautiful collection of waterfalls located in the Glenbrittle area of the Isle of Skye. The nearby Fairy Pools is is one of the most popular areas on the island, and for good reason, it is absolutely beautiful there.
Nearby the Fairy Pools is the very similar, yet less popular Glenbrittle Falls. The collection of waterfalls is surrounded towering mountains and lush greenery, and the crystal clear water cascades down the rocks in a stunning display of natural beauty. The waterfall is fed by the River Brittle, which flows down from the Cuillin Mountains.
We would highly recommend getting yourself a Seashell dryrobe for keeping warm when you get out of the icy cold water! They even have pockets to store your keys!
Where is Glenbrittle Falls?
Glenbrittle Falls is located on the west coast of the Isle of Skye, in the Glenbrittle area. The waterfall is situated along a narrow road in a remote location, surrounded by mountains. There is a small amount of parking outside the Youth Hostel.
The nearest village is Carbost, which is about 10 miles away.
How to Get to Glenbrittle Falls
Getting to Glenbrittle Falls can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s well worth the effort. The easiest way to get there is by car. From Carbost, follow the signs to Glenbrittle or the Fairy Pools. The road is narrow and winding, so be sure to take your time and enjoy the scenery along the way. Following signs for the Fairy Pools, continue along the road until you reach the Youth Hostel and you will find this beautiful spot. There is a small amount of parking at the Youth Hostel
If you don’t have a car, you can take a bus from Portree to Carbost, and then walk or cycle to Glenbrittle Falls. The walk is about 7 miles, and takes you through some stunning scenery. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Portree or Carbost.
DON’T FORGET
Your trip to Scotland will be a lot more comfortable with a midge net and midge spray. These little biting bugs can be enough to ruin a trip if you don’t have the equipment to protect yourself from them. A repelling candle can also be helpful if you are sitting oustide.
When to Visit Glenbrittle Falls
Glenbrittle Falls is a great place to visit all year round, but the best time to visit is during the spring and summer months. The waterfall is at its most spectacular when there has been a lot of rain, so try to visit after a period of wet weather.
The road to Glenbrittle can be treacherous during winter on the Isle of Skye, especially if there has been snow or ice so be sure to check the weather forecast before setting off.
The water will be cold all year round so if you decide to go wild swimming, make sure you bring plenty of warm clothes to wrap up with after.
Why You Should Visit Glenbrittle Falls
Glenbrittle Falls is a must-visit spot on the Isle of Skye for several reasons. Firstly, the waterfalls are simply breathtaking. The sight and sound of the clear blue water cascading down the rocks is such a beautiful sight.
Secondly, the surrounding area is stunning. The Glenbrittle area is home to some of the most beautiful scenery on the island, and there are plenty of hiking trails to explore. We enjoyed hiking the munro that sits above Glenbrittle Falls, Sgùrr na Banachdich, which isn’t for the faint hearted!
Finally, Glenbrittle Falls is a great place to unwind and connect with nature. The peaceful surroundings and the sound of the waterfall make it the perfect place to relax and recharge and if you are keen for a dip, get in some cold water therapy!
If you are looking for a good bag for your trip to the Isle of Skye we can highly recommend the Wandrd Bag PRVKE 41L if you are carrying camera equipment. If you are looking for a smaller backpack, The Nest by Tropicfeel is one of the most comfortable bags I have ever owned and perfect for short walks.
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 The Isle of Skye
I 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 visiting Glenbrittle Falls on the Isle of Skye. 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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