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).

 


The The Fairy Glen of Skye appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Isle of Skye!

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Visiting The Fairy Glen of Skye

Duration: 20 minutes

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