The Fairy Glen of Skye

Natural Phenomenon and Walk in Isle of Skye

Isle Of Skye The Fairy Glen
Pixabay / David Mark

On the West side of Trotternish at Balnacnoc (which means – the village or township in the hills) above Uig, is the Fairy Glen. A magical landscape of strange features lies above Uig, where time has sculpted weird and wonderful geological formations odd enough to give the area its fairy name.  Located on the Trotternish Peninsula, it is easy to combine the Fairy Glen with a visit to The Quiraing, Kilt Rock, and the Old Man of Storr.

The road winds around small round-topped grassy hills with lochans (ponds) in between which gives the glen an otherworldly feel. The Fairy Glen has no real legends or stories involving fairys that can be traced but the location is unusual so it has been given the nickname Fairy Glen.

One of the hills still has its basalt topping intact which, from a distance, looks like a ruin and has been called Castle Ewan. It is possible to climb to the top where there is not much room, but does have wonderful views. In the low cliff behind Castle Ewan there is a very small cave where it has been said pressing coins into cracks in the rock will bring Good Luck.

In recent years’ visitors have started to move the rocks to create spirals on the ground. We have been told that some of the bus tour guides have made up and encouraged some rituals involving walking the spirals then leaving a coin or token in the centre as an offering to the fairies for good luck.
The locals on Skye have repeatedly removed these stone spirals in an attempt to keep the Glen in its natural state.

Parking is very limited in the Glen, it is strongly recommended you park in Uig and walk into the Glen (30min).

 

Visiting The Fairy Glen of Skye

Duration: 20 minutes

Tours and Activities from Isle of Skye

Offering some of the best scenery on the Isle of Skye, the Trotternish Loop is a 50-mile circuit around the north of the island that simply cannot be missed. It connects many of the island’s main attractions and also provides jaw-dropping scenery. Depending on the season and the direction in which you choose to drive the Trotternish Loop, the full journey should take around 2 hours. 

Portree

Portree Harbour Front
CC BY-SA 4.0 / DeFacto

Skye’s capital, Portree, sits at the southern end of Trotternish on the banks of Loch Portree and is the obvious starting point for travelling around the Trotternish loop.

Portree is the largest village on the island and you can enjoy a hot breakfast and cup of tea or coffee to begin your day. There are a number of great local spots to choose from before you begin exploring, Portree is very small place so take a quick wander around to see what takes your fancy. You could also stop by the local shop to pick up any supplies or snacks you may need during the day. You may like to have a quick wander around the village, but don’t worry if you feel rushed for time as you will end up back in Portree later today.

Read more about the Portree

The Old Man of Storr

Old Man Of Storr, Scotland
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Sanshiro KUBOTA

You can’t come to the Isle of Skye and skip the Old Man of Storr! The Old Man of Storr is another iconic landmark on the Isle of Skye, and you can spot the famous giant pinnacle standing proudly as you drive around the Trotternish Peninsula and even from Portree on a good day. The hike to the base of the pinnacle takes around 1.5 – 2 hours and, while it’s a steep climb, it will give you spectacular views of the coast. Make sure you pack your hiking boots for this one as the ground can be very rocky and muddy along the way.

Read more about the Old Man of Storr

Lealt Gorge and Falls

Lower Falls At Lealt
CC BY-SA 2.0 / John Allan

The Lealt Gorge and waterfalls are a hidden Gem of the peninsular –  the waterfalls are beautiful and if you’re feeling adventurous (and it’s a clear, dry enough day) there’s a little footpath that goes down the hill to the water’s edge and the ruins of the old salmon bothy. Very cool and really gorgeous views of the sea one way and the waterfall the other way.

Read more about the Lealt Gorge and Waterfall

Brothers’ Point

Rubha nam Brathairean (Brother's Point) on the Isle of Skye. In the distance is the waterfall from Loch Mealt and Kilt Rock.
CC BY-SA 4.0 / User:Colin

Rubha nam Bràithrean, or Brothers’ Point, is a short walking route to the furthest eastern point of the Trotternish peninsula. The views along the walk to Brother’s point are incredible. The trail is easy and the path includes a couple of steep, narrow sections on the way to Brother’s Point. You will pass by Scottish cottages and many sheep along the way.

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Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls

Insel Skye, Kilt Rock Wasserfall
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Herbert Frank

Kilt Rock is a unique sight, and the perfect iconic Isle of Skye photo location! These steep cliffs located mid-way around the Trotternish Loop look strangely similar to a Scottish pleated kilt.

This quick stop won’t take long, as the carpark is located directly next to the viewpoint. Here you can also spot Mealt Falls tumbling over the edge of the rocks into the ocean below. No matter the weather this stop is always worth it.

Read more about the Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls

Search for Dinosaur Footprints

Staffin Dinosuar Footprint
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Nature scotland

Head down to Staffin Bay and the Dinosaur Museum, home to an internationally acclaimed collection of dinosaur fossils. They offer tours of the infamously hard to find Staffin dinosaur footprints.

Read more about the Staffin Dinosaur Museum

Quiraing

Blue Is Coming In Quiraing
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Luis Ascenso Photography

Certainly one of the Isle of Skye’s most well-known and impressive landscapes, the Quiraing is a mythical looking mountain range formed by an ancient landslide. You will find these peculiar shapes and formations up a narrow single track road, just as you pass through the tiny village of Staffin.

You can choose to either take a short walk from the carpark and enjoy the views from here, or if you have more time you can hike the full loop which will take you around 3-4 hours.

Read more about the Quiraing

Duntulm Castle

Isle Of Skye (Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK)
CC BY-SA 4.0 / PaulT (Gunther Tschuch)

Situated at the top of the Trotternish Loop lies Duntulm Castle. This haunting ruin sits atop a crumbling cliff and offers a commanding view northwest to the outer Hebrides. The castle draws thousands of visitors every year, partly because of its ideal position on the tourist loop and also because of the ghostly happenings that it has become famous for.

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Flora MacDonald Grave and Monument

Isle Of Skye (Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK)
CC BY-SA 4.0 / PaulT (Gunther Tschuch)

Flora MacDonald is celebrated as a heroine of the Jacobite rebellion of 1745.  The memorial to Flora Macdonald is in the graveyard at Kilmuir in the north of Skye.

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Skye Museum of Island Life

THE SKYE MUSEUM OF ISLAND LIFE
Pixabay / M W

The Skye Museum of Island Life gives an insight into a way of life that was common on Skye and across the highlands and islands more widely at the close of the 1800s. It consists of a group, or township, of seven thatched cottages, four of which are furnished and equipped as they would have been at the time to illustrate different aspects of island life.

Read more about the Skye Museum of Island Life

Fairy Glen

Isle Of Skye The Fairy Glen
Pixabay / David Mark

The Fairy Glen is a magical area of bizarre rock formations, conical hills, and small lochans. Great to have a walk around here and take in all the legendary stories especially on a sunny spring day. It’s about a 1.5 mile walk from the hotel to the prettiest areas of the glen.
In the glen you will find waterfalls and pretty pools surrounded by little hills. There’s also a small loch in the shape of Lochan Mor. You can climb the hills and Castle Ewen (a tall rocky outcrop) for a lovely view over the area.

Read more about the The Fairy Glen of Skye

Tours and Activities from Isle of Skye