Glen Brittle, near Carbost, Isle of Skye IV47 8TA
Fairy Pools
Waterside landscape
Place photograph
9.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free to visit
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
9.2A chain of clear mountain pools and waterfalls descends from the Cuillin into Glen Brittle—an arresting waterside walk with a darker history beneath its fairytale name.
The Fairy Pools earn their fame: translucent mountain water, waterfalls and the Cuillin rising above the glen make a short walk feel properly dramatic. The path is gravel, but steep ground and rugged sections call for care; the place can be very busy in peak summer.
Dramatic · Wild · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapGlen Brittle, near Carbost, Isle of Skye IV47 8TA
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Follow the gravel path and bridges from the car park to the waterfalls and largest pool, then continue upstream if conditions and time allow. Expect steep and rugged sections, and allow extra time to explore or photograph the pools.
Things to do
Walk to the main waterfall and pool
Follow the gravel path and bridges from the car park to the first main waterfall and pool, with the Cuillin above Glen Brittle.
40 minutes–1.5 hours return, without stops
Continue upstream to the smaller pools
Go farther along the path to explore smaller pools beyond the largest waterfall; the terrain becomes rugged in places.
Photograph the waterfalls and Cuillin setting
Look for views along the stream as waterfalls and pools descend from the mountain slopes into Glen Brittle.
Swim in the pools
The supplied official page describes the pools as suitable for adventurous swimmers and warns that the water is icy; it advises bringing a wetsuit. Check conditions and current guidance before entering.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 40 minutes–1.5 hours, without stops
Quick Escape: the first falls and pool
- 01
Start at the Fairy Pools car park.
- 02
Follow the gravel path and bridges to the first main waterfall and pool.
- 03
Pause for the view, then return by the same route.
Half day · Allow half a day, including unhurried stops; exact duration depends on how far you explore.
Make a Half Day of It: explore the pools upstream
- 01
Walk from the car park to the largest waterfall and pool.
- 02
Continue up the path to explore some of the smaller pools.
- 03
Allow time for photographs and to take in the Cuillin setting.
- 04
Afterwards, consider Glenbrittle Campsite & Cafe, a few miles down the road; check its current seasonal opening details.
Verified history
The supplied Dunvegan Castle page identifies the Fairy Pools as the location of the Battle of Coire na Creiche, described there as the last and bloodiest battle between the MacLeods of Dunvegan and the MacDonalds of Sleat. It says the MacDonalds were victorious and that the Scottish Crown intervened to impose a truce. A supplied Skye guide dates the battle to 1601.
Folklore & legend
Local legend says the water ran red with blood after the Battle of Coire na Creiche because so many people were killed. The supplied Dunvegan Castle page notes that the Crown's intervention is part of the historical account, but the blood-red stream is presented as a saying, not established fact.
Hidden details
The stream’s name and course — The supplied Skye guide names the burn Allt Coire a’ Mhadaidh, translates it as the Burn of the Dog, and says it descends into Glen Brittle, where it becomes the River Brittle.
The story behind the red-water legend — The blood-red water is a local legend connected to the Battle of Coire na Creiche; distinguish the story from the documented account of the battle and the Crown-imposed truce.
When to go
April · May · September · October · Early morning or late afternoon for a potentially quieter, more atmospheric visit; this is advice from a supplied visitor guide, not a guarantee.
A supplied visitor guide recommends spring and autumn for avoiding some summer crowds and for atmospheric skies. The official page warns that the single-track road from Carbost is especially busy in July and August. Conditions vary, so check before travelling.
The path has steep inclines and rugged sections; the pools are described as icy, and a supplied guide notes slippery trails in winter. Check local weather and conditions before setting out.
The route
- surface
- Gravel path and bridges; rugged terrain in parts
- distance
- 2.4 km return to the first main waterfall and pool
- duration
- 40 minutes–1.5 hours without stops, depending on fitness
- difficulty
- Medium; steep inclines and rugged terrain in parts
- route shape
- Out and back
- start point
- Fairy Pools car park, Glen Brittle
- parking start
- Car park operated by OATS; a parking charge applies. Check current notices and charges.
- shorter alternative
- Walk to the first main waterfall and pool, then return; this is the described 2.4 km return route.
- Waterfalls and clear mountain pools
- Views towards the Cuillin
- Smaller pools farther up the path
Worth pairing with
Glenbrittle Campsite & Cafe
A few miles down the road, with food and coffee listed by the supplied official page during its stated season. Confirm current opening hours before travelling.
What to look for
Notice how the small waterfalls step down from the Cuillin into the pools, and how the stream becomes the River Brittle in Glen Brittle. The landscape also carries the story of the Battle of Coire na Creiche.
The story
Clan conflict; the Battle of Coire na Creiche
Best time to go
Spring and autumn for quieter, atmospheric visits; the pools can be visited year-round. July and August bring heavier traffic on the single-track approach road.
Early morning or late afternoon are suggested by a supplied visitor guide as quieter and atmospheric; check conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Swimmers
Before you go
Practical information
Opening & access
The pools are free to visit. A gravel path and bridges lead from the car park to the waterfalls and pools. The approach road is single-track and can be busy, particularly in July and August. Follow parking notices and take your litter away.
Parking
A car park serves the walk; it is operated by OATS on behalf of the Minginish Community Hall Association, and a parking charge applies. Check current notices and charges before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Check current facilities before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Glenbrittle Campsite & Cafe is a few miles away. Its source page lists seasonal opening from 1 April to 15 October, 8am–7pm daily during the season; check current details before travelling.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check current signs and access guidance before visiting; keep dogs under control and take waste away.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible toilet but not a wheelchair-accessible entrance. A supplied walk guide says steep inclines and rugged sections make the route unsuitable for wheelchair users.
Cost
Free to visit; parking charge applies
Water
Mountain stream, waterfalls and rock pools
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Fairy Pools
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph8.0Talisker Bay
Minginish Peninsula, west coast of the Isle of Skye, near Carbost, Scotland
12.9 km away
Place photograph8.5Neist Point Lighthouse Walk
Neist Point, near Glendale, Isle of Skye IV55 8WU
37.0 km away
