Fairy Glen
Fairy Glen
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksGeologic FormationsScenic Walking Areas
About
The Fairy Glen is a unique and unusual landscape, a geological wonder on the Isle of Skye. It is situated between the villages of Sheader and Balnacnoc.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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14 within 6 miles
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- Thomas GAmsterdam, The Netherlands1,876 contributionsGreat stopFairy glen is a small fairy tale walk on the Isle of Skye. Although it is a small hike, this is worth visiting. There are a lot of sheep, you can easily climb some rocks and have some views, which make this a perfect stop for 30 minutes. The road from Uig here, is funny, but good to do. Enjoy this sight!Visited August 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 17, 2023
- Debra S44 contributionsMagical placeDue to terrible weather (bad rain and wind due to remnants of Hurricane Lee), this was the only outdoor activity we did on Skye, and I'm do glad we prioritized and came here. This place is like magic. We felt like kids wandering all around the glen and kept thinking something magical was about to appear. We definitely think the name is appropriate! We could have spent even longer here, but after about 3 hours the rain started and it was time to get ready for dinner.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 23, 2023
- Krista R66 contributionsMagical and BreathtakingI have never been somewhere so magical as Fairy Glen. When we parked , it was cloudy then when we got to the hills , it started snowing and it was just so peaceful and mysterious. I’ve never seen anything like it. I can’t wait to take my kids.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 12, 2024
- annamarie m5 contributionsStunning and tranquilAbsolute beautiful, stunning, there aren't words for how much I loved this place, I was too scared to go to the top but the whole area was gorgeous. Only one stupid woman clearly disregarding the notices to stay off the actual fairy ring as she 'needed' a photo on top of it, put a smudge on the experience, but on the whole I cannot wait to go back, a bit of an Enid Blyton moment from my childhood. Personally I felt it was magicalVisited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 1, 2024
- lottie03Littleborough, United Kingdom1,913 contributionsGorgeous to visit.A beautiful and highly unusual spot on the West of Skye not far from Uig. The trail takes you through the formations in an anticlockwise direction. The walk is under 30 mins with a few stops to take in the views. It was tranquil and ethereal, for me a mixture of Enid Blyton and Hobbit World. Definitely worth a stop.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 30, 2024
- Buddy ThedogeyNew York City, New York59 contributionsBeautiful and EasyThe Fairy Glen was one of our favorite spots on the Isle of Skye! It was a short walk to the amazing views and small hills that were unlike anything we’ve seen before. If you aren’t afraid of heights, you can go up the highest one with the rocks to get an amazing view of the island. There are also other small hills you can go up to get a great view that are not scary at all for heights. We spent about 30 minutes there, but you could definitely spend more than that there if the weather is good and not windy/raining.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 24, 2024
- IFTIKARTAXISHolywell Green, United Kingdom76 contributionsBest in a sherman tankWhat can I say Absolutely magical. BUT we arrivied there at 6 o'clock in the morning The road to the car park Is unbelievable holes as big as a ten bob cabbages You can see where vehicles have left the road and got stuck which is scary Go early miss the crowds If you go after 10 Then expect serious vehicle damage Hope the fairy's bring you luck and you get there and back Without having to replace half the suspensionVisited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 22, 2024
- BLT1991Toano, Virginia901 contributionsInteresting and PicturesqueThe trail from the parking area winds through the fair glen formations. There is a particularly sporty ridge/formation which sits above them all. You can climb through a narrow set of rocks and get up on top. It makes for great views and great pictures. It would be easy to imagine fairies weaving their way in this glen.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,353 reviews
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954
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281
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84
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16
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Victor K
Hong Kong, China575 contributions
Aug 2021
We came to Fairy Glen during our north island loop road trip. This is close to the Uig Ferry Terminal and a five minutes drive from the main road. It ended up as one of the most interesting spot of our travel in Skye. The little hills scattered around the valley and a ruin castle have formed the fairy picture. We went in a good day and I suspect the atmosphere in a cloudy or misty day would be totally different. The whole place is small and you probably don't need an hour to cover the whole area. If you are rush, 15 minutes can roughly cover most of the area. Bring a picnic if time is right for you. It was a pleasant surprise. Do not miss it. The parking ticket paid in other places seems equally usable here as there was no marking in the ticket showing the exact location of validity.
Written September 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JCLogan
Kelso, UK600 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
The fairy glen os quite difficult to find if you follow some of the advice online. One car park recommend is a good hours walk from the actuall fairy glen so make sure to get the postcode correct before travelling. There is a car park right next to the fairy glen and this is currently being extended. The walk might be busy as it us a very popular place to visit. Lots of lovely areas to explore and get photos.
Written August 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StevenTristanYoung
San Francisco, CA149 contributions
Jun 2019
Definitely one of the highlights of my trip. Getting there required paying a taxi driver to drive me up the narrow path and to wait for me after I finished looking at the location. It's such a gorgeous picturesque area to take some lovely photographs.
Written May 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger K
Rio Rancho, NM505 contributions
Nov 2019
While researching our trip to Scotland, the pictures I saw of this location were some of the most intriguing that I found on the internet. It looked pretty magical and we were determined to find it. In fact, it ended up being on the reasons that we decided to stay on the Isle of Skye for one night, rather than just making a day trip to the Isle.
We stayed in the village of Uig at the Uig Hotel (separately reviewed). Fairy Glen and Castle Ewan turned out to be just a mile or so behind the hotel.
A couple of words of warning. There is not much parking space available so be prepared to stop and walk if you're in high tourist season. We were there in November and only a few people were there at the same time we were.
The location was also very muddy so wear good shoes (not a bad recommendation at any time while in Scotland). You can see the stone referred to as Castle Ewan from the road. However, you will have no idea where Fairy Glen is until you walk up the hill. Even then, you have to continue up another short hill to where you then will be able to look down upon the stone circle in the glen just beyond Castle Ewan.
This is definitely worth a stop, and not too difficult to find. Just remember it is off of the road just behind the Uig Hotel.
We stayed in the village of Uig at the Uig Hotel (separately reviewed). Fairy Glen and Castle Ewan turned out to be just a mile or so behind the hotel.
A couple of words of warning. There is not much parking space available so be prepared to stop and walk if you're in high tourist season. We were there in November and only a few people were there at the same time we were.
The location was also very muddy so wear good shoes (not a bad recommendation at any time while in Scotland). You can see the stone referred to as Castle Ewan from the road. However, you will have no idea where Fairy Glen is until you walk up the hill. Even then, you have to continue up another short hill to where you then will be able to look down upon the stone circle in the glen just beyond Castle Ewan.
This is definitely worth a stop, and not too difficult to find. Just remember it is off of the road just behind the Uig Hotel.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bluebeaver71
Hertfordshire60 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Beautiful landscape think Lord of the Rings, Hobbit etc - magical, eerily quiet and ambient….. aside from the presence of annoying drones buzzing away. Such a shame - wish people would realise that not everyone wants to hear them, we just wanted to experience the place quietly, not so on this occasion. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walking Scotland
Forfar, UK148 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
It is a lovely glen with fascinating geological formations. There is a path to take you all around the features to be seen. There is parking at the, start of the path. There is a charge for parking. The charge is reasonable as the fees are used to keep the road upgraded and the Glen accessible. Take warm clothing as it is an outdoor activity and leave plenty of time for exploration.
Written May 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna10110
Waterloo, Canada20 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The Fairy Glen is a quick, beautiful walk to a very unique landscape of hills, rocks, and soft grassy ridges. I have heard it described as enchanting and it was. We visited in mid July and were able to get a parking spot around 9:30am. There is pay parking (you can use your debit or credit card at the parking machine). The drive there needs a lot of patience and you need to be very alert as it is a single track road. The circle of rocks that are in all the photos was not there (not naturally there in other words and put there by visitors) which was not disappointing at all as the sight is still magical. The views are stunning, and it is easy to spend 30 - 45 minutes once you get there just exploring the hills and looking at the views from every angle. I would recommend this as part of a day itinerary to explore Skye.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharlottegCHC
Dalgety Bay, UK34 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Going in the winter months mean you get this spot pretty much to your self. On a slight misty dusk this was the perfect time to visit, creating a real magical feel. The climb up to Castle Ewan gives the great views down over the glen from both sides though attention should be brought to the roped off areas where you are not to stand on the grass.
It is an area that invokes the imagination and is loved by children and adults alike.
It is an area that invokes the imagination and is loved by children and adults alike.
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rachelaudrey26
Edinburgh, UK148 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We visited around 1500 and there were a few people at the glen but it was not busy or overcrowded as some reviews suggest (possibly due to covid?)
You could spend about 30 mins here or longer but it’s a pretty place to wander around & climb up some of the mounds to see the view! The car park looks like it is under construction at the moment but we got parked easily enough. The road is single track but not any better / worse than the other single track roads on Skye - it only takes 5-10 mins drive from the main road into Uig.
We thoroughly enjoyed it & it would be a lovely place to go if you had kids.
You could spend about 30 mins here or longer but it’s a pretty place to wander around & climb up some of the mounds to see the view! The car park looks like it is under construction at the moment but we got parked easily enough. The road is single track but not any better / worse than the other single track roads on Skye - it only takes 5-10 mins drive from the main road into Uig.
We thoroughly enjoyed it & it would be a lovely place to go if you had kids.
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlotte L
Southampton, UK159 contributions
Aug 2021
Wasn't sure what to expect from this, but we were exploring Skye and decided to make a stop here. So glad we did as it looked stunning and was one of our favourite things we did! As 2 adults, we spent just under an hour here wandering around and taking photos but you could spend a lot longer if you wanted to. The time was mainly having patience while large groups of tourists were running into the iconic photo haha! You have to pay for parking and it is fairly limited.
Written August 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
O meu marido faz anos em janeiro e sempre disse que gostava de um dia conhecer a Escócia, não sei por onde começar. Não conheço
Written October 17, 2018
I would like you to return to the magical fairy glen in the future, I was part of that party today and I am sad that some tourists had to witness a community taking action, had you come to it before, you would have been enthralled and enchanted, by the beauty and sheer peacefullness of the glen..
Written September 15, 2018
I wasn't speaking for myself, as I am a frequent visitor to the area (friends.) In fact, I'll be back again in November for my biannual visit. I was primarily trying to alert visitors to enjoy the glen, but to not deface it, as I knew it before and would love to experience it again as it was. Thank you to the community for taking action. Had I been there, I would have joined in!
Written September 19, 2018
I have a three year old son traveling with me. Is it safe for us to visit this place with a kid?
Written November 30, 2015
Yes except the climb to the 'castle'. The slopes will be exciting and he/she will be able to climb to the summit of some hillocks happily.
Beware rocks, and as this is open land, there may be sheep and deer poo about ..
Written August 25, 2016
This area has sheep and livestock. Dogs must be kept on the lead during lambing season.
Written July 16, 2017
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