The Fairy Pools
Beneath the Black Cuillin, the River Brittle steps down through a chain of pools so clear they look Photoshopped — waterfalls, a natural stone arch, water in blues Scotland has no administrative right to.
- Best forAdventure seekers · Walkers & hikers · Photographers
- In July15°C · 17 rainy days
- Ideal stayA day trip from Portree
- Approx. flying time~10h 15m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyGBPPound sterling
- LanguageEnglish
- Local time12:14same time as the UK
- PlugsType GUK plugs fit
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+44
Why go
The River Brittle drops off the Black Cuillin in a chain of falls and pools, the water taking on blues that look out of place in Scotland thanks to the pale gravel below. A stone arch spans one of them underwater. The setting is bare and dramatic: scree, heather and jagged gabbro ridges rising directly behind. The walk in follows a rough, well-used path across open ground.
It is a half-day at most, best combined with Glen Brittle, the Talisker coast or a longer Skye itinerary of several nights. Swimming is possible year round for the suitably insulated, which is much of why people come. Summer brings midges and full car parks, and a dawn start solves both. After heavy rain the burn crossings can become genuinely difficult.
- Ideal stay
- A day trip from Portree
- The vibe
- Icy, clear, quietly ferocious
From our guides
The walk from the car park is an easy forty minutes; the swim is a screaming, wonderful ambush at any time of year, so most people take a wetsuit. Go at dawn in summer to dodge both crowds and midges. Neoprene gloves are the veteran's tip.
Featured in Ten wild swimming and water adventures across Europe
Things to do
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The main pool and arch
About twenty minutes up the path, a deep pool with a natural stone arch beneath the surface that swimmers can pass through in calm conditions.
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The upper falls
Following the burn further uphill leads to quieter pools with the Cuillin ridge directly above and almost nobody else about.
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Wild swimming
The water sits at single-figure temperatures all year. Most people use a wetsuit, and neoprene gloves and boots make a real difference.
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Glen Brittle beach
A dark sand beach at the end of the glen, with a campsite behind it and views out towards the Small Isles.
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Sligachan
The junction at the head of the glen, with an old stone bridge, a mountain rescue tradition and the classic view of Sgurr nan Gillean.
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The Cuillin ridge
Britain's most serious mountain range stands immediately above, on rock that disturbs compasses and routes that need scrambling experience.
Getting there
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Fly to
Inverness (INV)
Nearest airport to Skye, about 136km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Carbost
Inverness (INV) is the realistic gateway, around three hours by car to Skye across the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh. Balivanich (BEB) on Benbecula is close in a straight line but across the Minch and no use without a long ferry.
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On the ground
Getting around
The Fairy Pools car park at Glenbrittle is about 20 minutes' drive from Carbost, then an easy walk of roughly 40 minutes along the river to the best pools. Bring a wetsuit and stout footwear; the path crosses burns that rise after rain.
Public transport: A limited seasonal bus reaches Glenbrittle from Portree and Carbost, but frequencies are low and a car is the sensible plan.
Flights
Los Angeles Skye, Scotland
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Roughly 10h 15m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 6°C in February to 15°C in August. Driest in April; wettest in October, with rain on about 21 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
July15° · rain 17 daysCool and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
B&Bs, self-catering cottages and pods, a couple of inns and one or two hostels, plus the campsite at Glenbrittle. Hotels are small and there is nothing resembling a chain.
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Best base overall
Carbost
The closest village to Glen Brittle, with the distillery, an inn and a hostel, so you can reach the pools at first light. Options are few and go quickly.
Find stays in Carbost -
Best with children
Portree
Skye's only real town, with shops, cafes, boat trips and the widest choice of rooms. It is about forty minutes from the car park, on single-track roads at the end.
Find stays in Portree -
Closest to the sights
Glenbrittle campsite and Sligachan
Right under the Black Cuillin, with the pools and the ridge walks from the door. Facilities are basic, midges are ferocious, and mobile signal is largely theoretical.
Find stays in Glenbrittle campsite and Sligachan -
Best value
Broadford or Kyleakin
Near the bridge at the southern end, with more B&Bs and better rates, plus easier escape to the mainland. It is over an hour's drive each way to Glen Brittle.
Find stays in Broadford or Kyleakin
Worth knowing before you book: Skye's beds fill from about March for the whole summer, and last-minute arrivals end up on the mainland. Wild camping near the pools is actively discouraged.
Search everything else in Carbost by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Parking
- The car park charges and fills by mid-morning in summer. Roadside parking is prohibited and enforced, so arrive early or come late.
- The walk
- Around forty minutes each way on a rough, stony path with burn crossings. Boots beat trainers, and after rain the crossings can be impassable.
- Swimming
- Cold water shock is a real risk at these temperatures. Enter slowly, keep swims short and never go alone.
- Midges
- From June to September the midges are severe in still, damp weather. Repellent and a head net are worth carrying.
- Weather
- Skye's conditions change within the hour. Carry waterproofs and warm layers whatever the forecast said at breakfast.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Old Man of Storr
Isle of Skye, Scotland · 18km away →
Bealach na Bà
Scotland · 38km away →
Ben Nevis
Scotland · 101km away →
North Coast 500
Scotland · 124km away →
Cairngorms
Scotland · 165km away →
Ben A'an
Trossachs, Scotland · 166km away →Elsewhere in Scotland
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Quick answers
When is the best time to visit The Fairy Pools?
Daytime highs run from about 6°C in February to 15°C in August. Driest in April; wettest in October, with rain on about 21 days.
How long should I spend in The Fairy Pools?
Our suggestion: a day trip from Portree.
How do I get to The Fairy Pools?
Inverness (INV) is the realistic gateway, around three hours by car to Skye across the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh. Balivanich (BEB) on Benbecula is close in a straight line but across the Minch and no use without a long ferry.
Do I need a car in The Fairy Pools?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. A limited seasonal bus reaches Glenbrittle from Portree and Carbost, but frequencies are low and a car is the sensible plan.
What currency and language are used in The Fairy Pools?
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP). Language: English. Plugs: type G.
Who is The Fairy Pools best for?
Best for adventure seekers, walkers & hikers and photographers. In a phrase: icy, clear, quietly ferocious.