Guide to the Isle of Skye’s Fairy Pools

The Fairy Pools of the Isle of Skye are places of myth and legend and are among the most beautiful locations to visit on the island. Found down an idyllic single-track road, leading out of the small village of Carbost on the Minginish Peninsula, the pools are located in the northern slopes of the impressive Black Cuillin Mountains.  

Whilst a spectacular spot for sampling some of Skye’s most impressive landscapes, this was not always an area that inspired happiness. In 1601, it was the location of Scotland's final clan battle where Clan MacDonald of Slat defeated Clan Macleod of Dunvegan, creating the biggest bloodbath in Scotland’s history. Many died here and the land holds many souls. 

Nowadays, the Fairy Pools attract visitors from all over the world to come and experience their magic. A short walk leads you to a series of clear freshwater pools that snake their way down the Glen from the steep hilly slopes. Waterfalls join one pool to the other as trickling water flows quickly beneath. Heather and shrubs line the edges as thin, un-intrusive footpaths guide you upstream to the magical land beyond. The fairies are calling you... If you want to find out more about Skye itself, read our full guide to the Isle of Skye which covers the whole island. Read on to find out all about the walk to see them, what else you can do in the area and where to stay on your visit.  

Skip to:

• Legends of the Isle of Skye
• Walking to the Fairy Pools
• Best time to visit the Fairy Pools 
• Wild swimming at the Fairy Pools
• Things to do near the Fairy Pools
• Towns and villages near the Fairy Pools
• Places to eat near the Fairy Pools 

Legends of the Isle of Skye

Like many places in Scotland and its islands, the Fairy Pools are steeped in history, and legend has it that it was the Clan MacLeod chief who gave fairy names to many of the places around Skye, including the pools, after marrying a fairy princess. It is also said that selkies would bathe in them under the light of a full moon after shedding their skins on the bay of Glenbrittle. 

Skye is known to be once a land of giants – giants who roamed the island between the Quiraing and the Cuillin mountains. You can’t come to Skye and not be surrounded by myths and legends, but the fairies are a big influence on the historic culture of the island. The Skye fairies are known to be wicked, naughty creatures, so if you stumble upon them, it won’t necessarily be a welcomed meeting!

Walking to the Fairy Pools

The walk starts in the car park and follows a marked-out, simple route down to the flowing burn. The gravel path then leads you upwards along the burn which then starts to turn onto a length of rock pools which vary in size and depth. It’s a magical walk up the side of the pools, with the path hugging the rocky edge and a series of pools and waterfalls. There are footbridges and man-made crossings to make traversing the burns easier. 

You can continue the walk from the top of the pools, following the river up to the top of the Cuillin Ridge. From here, you will get amazing views back over the Glen out to sea. It might involve some scrambling, so we urge you to be cautious during the ascent. 

This is a proper hill walk so sensible footwear is essential, we recommend walking boots for suitable support of the ankles as it is rocky and rough in places.  

Who will love these walks?

This walk is perfect for families, groups of friends, couples, solo travellers and those with dogs. Due to the number of people with dogs who visit here, it is safer to keep your dogs on a lead, and it is only good manners to pick up after your pooch!

Best time to visit Skye’s Fairy Pools

The best time to visit the Fairy Pools on Skye is either really early in the morning, or later in the afternoon. These are the quietest times to visit and the best time to avoid other tourists. However, the warmest time in the day to visit, if you are hoping for a swim, is midday when the water has had a bit of time to warm up. You could also plan your visit in time for a lunchtime picnic as, although there are usually other people around, there are plenty of quiet, pretty spots on the way up the pools. 

Wild swimming in the Fairy Pools

You are allowed to swim at the magical fairy pools and there are plenty of spots to do so. It is a world-famous wild-swimming spot, often documented with many pictures of people taking a chilly dip across social media. At the bottom of the collection of pools, the depth of water is quite shallow, and the further up you go, the deeper the pools get 

The water is cold, extremely clear and very refreshing to swim in. You can wade and wallow between the pools and on a sunny day spread out on the warm rocks with the sounds of the waterfalls and trickling streams surrounding you. The backdrop of the Cuillin Mountains will make you feel like you are in a magical land like no other.

If you are planning to swim, please make sure you bring appropriate swimwear. If you are one for getting cold, a wetsuit is a good shout, and if the children are planning a dip please come with an appropriate floatation device. If you are travelling alone, it is always a good idea to swim within sight or earshot of someone else. Please make sure you are safe and responsible around the pools, and be aware of flowing water and steep drops off some of the surrounding rocks. 

Things to do near the Fairy Pools

For outdoor lovers, there are quite a few things to do on the Isle of Skye near the Fairy Pools. Read on to learn more.

Walk along Talisker Beach

There is a lovely walk you can take to Talisker Beach which is a great walk for families, groups of friends, and couples alike. The short, 20-minute ramble is well worth the effort for the cliff views and perfect sandy beach. A photographer's dream and a twitcher's haven, hours can be spent here relaxing on the beach, swimming in the sea and soaking up the coastal surroundings.

Looking out from the beach to the left, there is a large sea stack which you can scramble along if you are feeling brave. To the right, there is an impressive waterfall which is often known to blow back up the cliff on a windy day. Come rain or shine, this is a gorgeous spot to visit on the Isle of Skye.

Discover Glenbrittle Beach

Just when you think the area around the Cuillin Mountains couldn’t get any better, you have Glenbrittle Beach, a volcanic, black sandy beach at the head of Loch Brittle. This is a wonderful destination for some much-needed family time where rest can be met with recreational sports and beach-based activities. Many people sea kayak as well as swim here, and stronger swimmers can even explore the lower cliffs and waterfalls that are created from all the burns that enter into the sea. Some of these can provide a refreshing shower on warmer days. Pack up a picnic, buckets and spades and spend the day on this glorious beach.

Visit Talisker Distillery and Visitor Centre

Set on the shores of Loch Harport, with views out to sea, Talisker Distillery is the oldest working distillery on the island. Enjoying dramatic views of the much-loved Cuillins, it welcomes its guests to come and discover all about it with interesting guided tours and special tastings. 

Learn about Talisker's history, the production process and the secrets behind its unique flavour, and enjoy sampling the award-winning malts, including Talisker 10 and Talisker 30, which have made this blend so famous.  

Towns and villages near the Fairy Pools

Carbost is a little village at the head of Loch Harport and is the hub for the main attractions around the loch, including Talisker Distillery, a few eateries, and a small gallery; it is also the base for SeaSkye Tours which take you on speedboat nature adventures. Other villages and hamlets along the loch include Merkadale, Fernilea and Portnalong.

If you take a drive along the edge of the loch, you can get out and explore each village. These are small, quiet places with local dwellings, so whilst there might not be much to see in them, the landscapes and views from them can certainly be enjoyed. Portnalong is a small seaside town with a pier, a pub and brilliant access to the Cuillin mountain range. Like all the towns and villages on the island, you simply have to visit them to experience them. 

If you love exploring Scottish culture through the country's towns and villages, you might enjoy reading our guide to pretty coastal villages for more inspiration. 

Places to eat near the Fairy Pools

As the Fairy Pools are in a fairly remote area of the island, there are only a few places to eat and drink. Here are some of the best places to eat close to the Fairy Pools.

The Oyster Shed

This funky little seafood kitchen is a popular hot spot for those who love their seafood. Serving everything from full lobster and crab to oysters and scallops, the menu at The Oyster Shed is bursting with delicious seafood sourced from all over Skye and the Hebrides. Whilst this is a takeaway, there are benches outside that let you enjoy your food with a view.  

The Old Inn  

The cosy Old Inn is set in the small village of Carbost on the shores of Loch Harport. With cosy open fireplaces, local ales on tap and a warm and welcoming atmosphere, this makes for the perfect lunch/dinner stop after a visit to the Fairy Pools. The meat, fish and fresh produce on the menu are all sourced locally and the highly trained chefs make sure you enjoy a meal to remember. In the pub, you can sample the full Skye Ale range as well as Talisker whisky and lots of other local ales.

Caora Dubh Coffee Company

This is a trendy, tin-roofed coffee cabin located in Carbost and is the place to go if you are looking for top-quality coffee with unique flavours. Caora is a speciality coffee roaster with a focus on ethical trading and sustainability. The company blend their coffee with love, and visitors value their friendly vibes, cute cabin, and the fact they can get a hot cup of lovely coffee in an unexpected place with views across the loch and Cuillin Mountains.

Stay at a self-catering cottage on the Isle of Skye

We hope you have enjoyed this guide to the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, and that we have inspired you to plan a trip there yourself.

If you are looking for self-catering accommodation, keep our Isle of Skye cottages in mind. Ranging from large family-friendly cottages to cosy boltholes for two, there is bound to be something to suit you in our collection. Discover some of our best Skye cottages here. Remember to keep an eye out for the fairies ...