The Fairy Glen is a lesser-known attraction on the Isle of Skye. It’s also one of the cutest places on the island to explore.
The Fairy Glen was the first place we visited on the Isle of Skye. Located on the Trotternish Peninsula, it is easy to combine the Fairy Glen with a visit to The Quiraing, Kilt Rock, and the Old Man of Storr. Many people skip this place, but we loved it here.
We arrived at 9:30 in the morning, and for just a little bit, we had the lovely little Fairy Glen all to ourselves. Pure magic!
While Tim and Tyler fired up the drone for its first international flight, Kara and I went off exploring.
The Fairy Glen is small. It’s just a short walk along the path up the hill. Along the way, you will walk through the coolest grove of crooked, gnarly trees covered in moss. It looked just like a place you would expect to find fairies.
From the top of the hill, we had a great view over the area.
Kara and I climbed up the rocky prominence, named Castle Ewen. From this high spot we had an awesome view (and a chance to wave hello to our drone).
Why aren’t there more people here? This place is wonderful!!
As soon as I had that thought, a small tour bus pulled up. And then a car. And a bit later, a second car. Our solitude ended, but at least we had the chance to have this place to ourselves, just for a little bit.
Scotland Travel Guide
See all of our articles
The Fairy Glen by Drone
How to Get to the Fairy Glen
The Fairy Glen is located on the Trotternish Peninsula of the Isle of Skye. The closest town is Uig, a tiny coastal town on the western coast of the peninsula.
From Portree, take A87 north towards Uig. Just before the Uig Hotel, turn right onto the small single track road. There will be a road sign here to Sheader and Balnaknock.
Follow this road for 1.5 miles (2.4 km). The Fairy Glen, with its odd, mystical peaks will come into view. There are a several small turnoffs here to park your car.
Helpful Tips on Visiting the Fairy Glen
Allow about one hour for your visit.
Get here early if you want the best chance to have the Fairy Glen all to yourself. We started here first and then went clockwise around the Trotternish Peninsula, heading next to the Quiraing.
Visiting the Fairy Glen is free.
This is a great place to visit for people of all ages and abilities. It’s a great place to let kids explore…hiking trails, sheep, the chance to see a fairy…what kid wouldn’t love this?
About Our Visit: We visited the Isle of Skye and Scotland in July 2016.
In this Scotland Travel Guide, learn how to visit Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, Glen Coe, Glasgow, hike the Kintail Saddle, and take an epic road trip in Scotland.
The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s hottest destinations. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the island to see its breathtaking scenery, quaint towns, and stunning coastline. So, how do you plan the perfect Isle of Skye itinerary? Whether you have one, two, or three days (or more, if you are really lucky!), […]
The Fairy Pools are one of the most visited sites on the Isle of Skye of Scotland. Why? It’s an easy walk along a series of small waterfalls with the Cuillin Mountains as a backdrop. We were here under less than ideal conditions. Once again, we awoke to cloudy, rainy skies. It drizzled off and […]
Brothers Point, also known as Rubha nam Brathairean, is a beautiful place to visit on the Isle of Skye. The views of the peninsula are stunning. And because very few people know about this gem, you just may have it all to yourself. If you are traveling to the Isle of Skye, put Brothers Point […]
The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular destinations. It may seem like a long drive to get there, but by adding in scenic pitstops along the way, you can turn the journey into a sightseeing adventure. In fact, the journey through Scotland is almost as good as the destination! There are multiple […]
Our hiking shoes got a lot of use in Scotland. But the most memorable hike, the one that had our legs trembling with fatigue and our eyes wide open with amazement, was the Kintail Saddle. Before flying to Scotland, I did a lot of research looking for that perfect Scottish hike. For us, the perfect […]
If you are taking a road trip through Scotland, Glencoe should be on your list of places to visit. This gorgeous valley is a great place for families, hikers, and those that love the great outdoors. You can either drive through it, spending just an hour here, or you could easily spend an entire day hiking […]
On a map, Scotland may look small. But don’t let that fool you…there is a lot to see and do here. From visiting castles to sipping whisky to bagging some Munros to exploring the mystical Isle of Skye…there is enough to keep you busy for weeks. In this 10 day Scotland itinerary, you will be […]
Edinburgh is one of the best cities in Europe to take your kids. Visit a castle, climb an extinct volcano, take a Harry Potter tour, learn about medieval history, and pay a visit to a spooky dungeon. What kid would not find this interesting? If you plan on visiting Edinburgh with kids, we have great […]
Edinburgh is a wonderful city to explore. Climb a volcano, see where JK Rowling got her inspiration for the Harry Potter series, tour a castle, and learn all about whisky. If you have 2 days in Edinburgh, you have enough time to visit the best spots in the city. Follow our itinerary, complete with maps, […]
Without a doubt, Loch Ness is Scotland’s most famous loch. Legend has it that this lake is home to Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. People travel all over the world to visit this famous loch, hoping to get a chance to spot the elusive underwater monster. But does that make Loch Ness worth visiting? Our […]
Glasgow is often an overlooked destination in Scotland. Most people tour Edinburgh and then head to the Highlands, for good reason, as both of these places are amazing. But Glasgow is worth a visit. It’s a great Scottish city and all you need is 24 hours to see the best of it. Whereas Edinburgh is […]
Julie is the main author for Earth Trekkers. Hiker, foodie, photographer, and triathlete, Julie loves traveling the world in search of new experiences and then sharing them on this site. Her goal is to make your travel planning process easier and to inspire you to visit new places.
Comments 25