Baden in den Fairy Pools

Located on the northern slopes of the magnificent Black Cuillin range, Skye’s famous Fairy Pools are beautiful crystal-clear blue pools on the Allt Coire a' Mhadaidh (Burn of the Dog), which can be seen snaking down the hillside of Coire na Creiche into Glen Brittle where it becomes the River Brittle.
Although a spectacular and tranquil Highlands vista, in 1601 the area was the scene of the last of Scotland’s clan battles, and one of the bloodiest ever recorded in clan history. It is here the MacDonalds of Sleat and the MacLeods of Dunvegan saw the end of the long and brutal campaign of the Wars of the One-Eyed Woman. See our history section MacDonalds of Sleat.

The wonder of the Fairy Pools entices visitors from all over the world, as they make some great wild swimming for those brave enough to enter the ice-cold waters. For the less adventurous, these magical Fairy Pools make for some fantastic photos.

The walk to the pools uses the same route there and back on a purpose-made good gravel path. The complete return distance to the first main waterfall and pool is 2.4km, with the average time to complete the walk being 40 minutes to an hour and a half (with no stops and depending on your level of fitness). Most people will spend some time working their way up the river from the first waterfall exploring the different pools.Read more