The Fairy Pools Skye Scotland – Stunning Photos + Video + Planning Tips

Planning a trip to the isle of Skye Scotland? Don't miss the Fairy Pools Skye, a famous walk at the foot of the Cuillin Mountains in Glen Brittle. This series of pools are filled with crystal clear waters and communicate through waterfalls, so you half expect to see fairies flying around 🙂 Sounds good, doesn't it? Below is my guide with many photos!

Fairy Pools Skye in Video

Let's start with a short video to give you an feel for the walk at the Fairy Pools Skye :

Note: those are the real Fairy Pools. There is a fake fairy pools photo circulating on the internet which is a photoshopped shot of the Shotover River in New Zealand with purple trees - see the fake shot here

1. The scenery

The Fairy Pools Skye is one of the main walks on the island. It takes you along a series of natural pools with clear waters that communicate with waterfalls. The rocks and colors are reflected making the water look emerald or turquoise.

This is the beginning of Glen Brittle, with the Cuillin Mountains in the background. And the pools have been created natually by the Allt Coir' a Mhadaih river also known as River Brittle.

Thanks to the Internet, the place has become a top thing to do in Skye island.

Especially with pictures from better photographer than me like this:

However I must admit it was not my favorite, due to the lack of water when I visited (I know, in Scotland???) and the high number of tourists.
It was still a nice walk, as you will see in my photos below, but it must be even better when there is a bigger flow!

2. Access is not too difficult

Some amazing places to see in Scotland are sometimes not so easy to reach with one lane roads and a lack of parking. 
In the case, the parking is easy to access (photo below) in the center of the Island not far from Carbost but it is small. Another carpark is higher on the road.

Fairy Pools Skye Parking

How to get to the Fairy Pools

• The isle of Skye is accessible by the Road via the Skye bridge or with the ferry from Mallaig
• The main town is Portree
• Edimbourg to Portree - 4h30 drive
• Find out more about getting to Skye on my Isle of Skye complete Guide

• Located on the road to Glenbrittle in the center of the Isle of Skye
• From Portree, take the direction of Carbost and before the town turn towards Glenbrittle. Lost in the many signs, is one indicating the fairy pools
• You cannot miss the beginning of the walk. Between the number of cars and the cleared area.
• The main carpark is small and cost 5£ - there is another carpark higher on the road that is for new free (but that means a longer walk)

The GPS coordinates and location on a practical map are available on both Travel Guide eBooks: The Road Trip Guide Scotland and The Road Trip Guide: Edinburgh to Skye

The Fairy Pools Walk

In the picture below you can see the track as observed from the road. It follows the river and then then climbs up near the pools and waterfalls. 

How difficult is the fairy pool walk?

The path goes downhill and then up, but it is well maintained and not difficult technically. Just remember that on the way back to the parking you will have to climb the steep slope (not long though).

The main difficulty are the fez river crossings on the track. Below you see it with very little water so it is easy to cross but be aware that the water levels can be way higher. Jumping between rocks will be required.

This is the view on the way back towards the parking. This is a return trip, no loop.

Planning your walk at the Fairy Pools

• Plan 2 hours
• The beginning of the walk is very steep (going downhill) which means at the end of the walk it will be uphill
• No shade along the way, windy area.
• The path is well maintained but can get muddy when wet. As you can see below there are some river crossings that can be difficult when water is high.
• No facilities
• The parking fills up quickly and you might have to park along the road.

The Fairy Pools Legend

The isle of Skye is full of Fairy stories associated with landscapes such as the Fairy Glen Skye. If you want to read about some of the stories, Caroline Emerick researched the subject. 

It is easy to imagine how those beautiful landscapes of sparkling pools and waterfalls could be associated with a legend. However, according to her research, there is no Fairy Pools Legend. Just a beautiful natural place that has triggered the imagination of many.

So What is a fairy pool?

Just a great marketing name for a beautiful location with small natural pools filled with crystal-clear water surrounded my mountain. So, yes, a fairy-looking landscape. 🙂

Waterfalls at the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye 

The water gets from one pool to the other via waterfalls. Sadly on the day I visited, the water level was low. But those falls between rock formations were still charming.

Below is a collection of them: some small, some taller, some crooked...

Turquoise Water at the Fairy pools Scotland

And what would be the Fairy Pools Skye without the pools? 

As I said before the water level was low, but I still got a sense of the pools and their incredible colors. The water is so clear that you can see every details of the rocks at the bottom. 

As you see in the Fairy Pools Skye pictures below, depending on their orientation and size, the color of the water varies. You can get off the track and get down to the water level for many of them. 

One of the most famous pools with a waterfall is at the top of the hike. Sadly when I reached it the water was scarce... 

Fairy Pools swimming

The Fairy Pools, in the heart of the isle of Skye, are a top spot to swim in Scotland. The clear waters are really tempting. However be mindful that the island is windy and not tropical, so have good clothes to dry and warm up after.

The other drawback to swimming in the pools is that it is a very touristic spot with only one track. So you will be on everyone's pictures. It has been very difficult for me to take pictures without anyone in it... 

You solution would be to hike early morning or in the evening to avoid the crowds.

Coire Na Creiche Hike

If you like hiking, you can keep going above the fairy pools and return via the forest path.
The whole hike would take 3 to 3.5 hours

Want to see more of SCOTLAND?

Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Scotland Destination Guide.

Would you brave the cold and swim in the Fairy Pools Skye?

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