Looking for a place off the beaten path on the Isle of Skye? Go look for fairies in the pyramid hills and mini-summits of Fairy Glen Skye. Discover this surprising and peaceful small area located on a dead end road. Here is my guide to help you plan your visit.
Fairy Glen Skye in Video
Let's start with a short video to give you a feel for the place and help you decide if you want to get off the beaten path.
About Fairy Glen Skye History and Geology
If you are looking for something different and far from the tourists crowds of the isle of Skye, head to Fairy Glen. Out of nowhere, a small area is covered with small pyramid hills, lochs and mini mountains ridge.
The environment is peaceful, green and feels magical. Even though I did not see any fairies 🙂 And I did not have more luck at the Fairy Pools Skye.
A geological theory is that it is a landslide remodelled during the ice age... or it is just fairies doing some home improvements 🙂
In terms of history, there is no real Fairy legend associated with the location (as opposed to the Fairy flag in the Dunvegan castle). It is just that it looks like fairies could live there because of all the strange shapes.
INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Fairy Glen Skye
How to get to Fairy Glen Skye
- Located near the town of Uig (North central of the Isle of Skye), on a dead end road
- 25 minute drive from Portree
- The GPS coordinates of this place as well as its identification on practical maps is available on both Travel Guide eBooks: The Road Trip Guide Scotland and The Road Trip Guide: Edinburgh to Skye
Road to Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye
The turn from A87 in Uig is very discreet. You have to engage in a small dead end road.
While driving on A87 from Portree, right before the Uig Hotel, there is a road doing a Y. It is indicated Balnaknock. (and if you come from the North, drive past Uig)
Visiting Fairy Glen Skye
- Plan 1 hour to explore the area
- No facilities
- Light might be better in the morning. After walking up hill at the end of the afternoon I had the sun facing me for pictures (as you will see below)
- There is not much carpark places. So in Summer in the middle of the day, it is recommended to Park in Uig and walk 30min along the road. It is a pleasant walk
- Check out the Isle of Skye Guide for more things to do on the island
Road to Fairy Glen Skye
Then drive on the single track road for 2.2 km (1.4 mi). You will see a couple of areas where it is safe to park. Don't forget to leave space for crossing of other vehicles.
You can also drive further where you can park after the lake, not so much where the car is on the photo below but after the curve to the left.
Fairy Glen - The mini cone mountains
I recommend exploring both sides of Fairy Glen Skye: left and right from the road (when coming from the main road)
On the left side you discover perfect cones where sheep like wandering. Walking in this section is easy, although it can get muddy after the rain
The mini Loch
If you are short in time, I recommend only exploring the lake and the right side.
The lake is really peaceful and gives you great views of the highest point and more cones.
I you have time this is a great place to settle down and relax after a long day exploring the many things to do in Skye island.
The mini summits & Castle Ewan
A track go through the trees and leads you to the top of small hills.
You can also climb to the top of the highest point. I did not, it looked narrow in the middle and I suffer from vertigo. But as you can see in the pictures below, several people were there.
One of the hills still has its basalt topping intact. From a distance it looks like a mini ruin of a castle, so typical of Scotland lol. It has been called Castle Ewan
I am wondering if maybe the fairies were hiding in this 'castle' for the day 🙂
The view
So I picked another summit and was still rewarded with beautiful views over the lake and conical hills. What a peaceful moment!
Want to see more of SCOTLAND?
Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Scotland Destination Guide.
Do you like playing hide and seek with fairies?
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: