Isle of Skye - Fairy Pools

The Fairy Pools are a sequence of crystal-clear mountain pools and waterfalls in the floor of Coire na Creiche, a glacially-carved valley at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains near Glenbrittle on the Isle of Skye. The pools owe their vivid blue-green colour to the depth and purity of the water, which flows from the highest peaks of the Cuillin through a series of cascades, some dropping through natural arches. The trail follows the Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh burn for approximately 2 kilometres from the Glenbrittle car park, passing increasingly impressive pools and falls as the Cuillin ridge rises ahead. The largest falls are roughly 45 minutes' walk from the car park. The mountains provide an extraordinary backdrop — Sgùrr an Fheadain and the jagged Cuillin peaks tower above the glen, creating some of the most photogenic mountain scenery in Britain. Wild swimming is popular throughout the year; the pools are stunningly clear but exceptionally cold even in summer, and the current beneath the falls is strong. Visitors should not enter the water alone or without awareness of cold-water conditions. The path is well-trodden but can become extremely muddy in wet weather, particularly in the lower section. Waterproof footwear is essential. The Fairy Pools are among the most visited sites on Skye and become extremely crowded from June to August; arriving before 8am or after 5pm on summer days significantly reduces the number of other visitors on the trail. The car park charges a fee throughout the year.