The Fairy Pools are one of the top attractions on the Isle of Skye. Attracting thousands of visitors every year to this beautiful corner of the island. Recently the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland has invested huge amounts into the infrastructure to support these visitor numbers. A new car park, toilet block and path have been created which increase accessibility and protect the environment surrounding the pools.
Getting to the Fairy Pools
By car take the A863 turning at Sligachan, signed for Dunvegan. After 5 miles turn onto the B8009 towards Carbost. In 1.7 miles take the left turn towards Glen Brittle. This is a single track road with passing places for the next 5 miles until the Fairy Pools car park. Please use the passing places to allow traffic coming towards you to pass and traffic behind you to overtake also. Do not use the verges to drive on, please protect our fragile environment.
Between late June and mid August there has been a Stagecoach bus, number T54, running up to 10 times a day to the Fairy Pools car park from Portree. The 2023 timetable has not yet been announced so click here for the Stagecoach website for more information as it is updated.
The Car Park
There is a charge of £6 for the Fairy Pools car park which goes towards the upkeep of the area. If you are a blue badge holder it is free to park. There are four disabled spaces on the left near the entrance. The car park attendant will be happy to give you directions to these and to the start of the walk.
Slightly further up the car park there are public toilets. Access to these is by steps at one end and a ramp at the other. As the steps were a little high Sarah chose to walk round to the ramp. There is a disabled toilet in this block. However, it is not a radar key toilet so at busy times you may find that it is often in use.
The Fairy Pools Walk
As you leave the car park there is a cattle grid with a gate at the side. We took the wheeled walker through the gate with no problem. From here cross the road and take the start of the new gravel path. Due to the increasing popularity of the Fairy Pools this road can be quite busy. Most vehicles will likely be heading for the Fairy Pools so will probably be moving slowly. However they may also be unfamiliar with the location and trying to find their way so cross very carefully.
As it is relatively new, the gravel is still a bit deep in places making it a bit more difficult for the wheels. However, the Fairy Pools is very popular with visitors to Skye so we hope it will get well trodden making for smoother going. On the whole it was much smoother than we expected with only a few deep loose spots.
The last time we attempted to do this walk we only got as far as the first burn. At that time the burn could only be crossed by a series of stepping stones. Sarah only managed halfway across so we had to abandon the attempt. Since then they have made the walk more accessible by building bridges across both burns. Both bridges are perfectly level with the path so pose no problems.
Distance
The walk from the car park to the top of the Fairy Pools is approximately 2.5km/1.5miles in each direction. For those with more mobility and energy there is a description of the full 8km/5miles circular walk on WalkHighlands. One thing to bear in mind is that the path from the first bridge back up to the road is very steep. We think most scooters and manual wheelchairs would struggle and possibly be dangerous on both the descent and ascent of this section.
Eventually we stopped as this is a long walk and Sarah had gone far enough. We needed to leave enough energy in the tank to get back to the car safely. The path is long and winds upwards alongside the burn. Certain sections of it are steeper than others but nonetheless it is a beautiful location. One particular rocky section saw us fold the rollator up and carry it whilst Sarah used her stick and took Melanie’s arm. Whilst the path has massively improved there is no moving millennia old bed rock for anyone!
Stop and relax!
For the majority of the walk you can see and hear Allt Coir a’Mhadaidh crashing and bubbling over the rocks and waterfalls. Look out for the natural arch close to the start of the walk. We were treated to beautiful views with blue skies. The sun reflecting on the water and behind that, the Cuillin Ridge where there was still some snow following the late winter weather we had recently had.
Take time to just sit and enjoy the view. We took a picnic and found a spot where Sarah could sit alongside some waterfalls on her rollator . Here Melanie could sit on a big rock and relax as well. Many folks were walking as fast as they could so they could tick the Fairy Pools off their list. We implore you to stop and take a moment to enjoy the stunning landscape you find yourself in. Listen to the water, look at the wildlife and enjoy the fresh air.
Success at the Fairy Pools
With all the improvements we feel our visit to the Fairy Pools was a success for us. Although it did need Melanie offering Sarah a lot of help to get over rocky ground and back up the hill. The reality is that it is still a remote, wild location that will be inaccessible for many. We hope our write up can encourage anyone who may have previous struggled but now may be able, to give it a try. Even if you do not manage to get very far the whole walk is beautiful and worth the effort even if you only get to do a small bit of it.
