The Fairy Pools are a series of clear blue rock pools and waterfalls on the River Brittle in Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. This guide covers opening hours, parking fees, transport, accessibility and practical tips for visiting.
You can visit the Fairy Pools, and other Scottish Highlands attractions such as Eilean Donan Castle and Urquhart Castle, on a one day Isle of Skye day tour from Inverness.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open 24 hours daily year-round |
| Admission | Free; parking £6 per day |
| Address | Fairy Pools Car Park, Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, IV47 8TA, Scotland |
| Nearest public transport | Seasonal Stagecoach bus 56/56A from Portree (check schedules) |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 3 hours |
| Walk distance | 2.4km (1.5 miles) each way to largest waterfall; can continue further upstream |
Fairy Pools opening hours
The Fairy Pools are accessible 24 hours daily throughout the year as an open natural site. The car park operates daily with payment required during daytime hours. No gates or staffing restrict access to the pools. Sunrise and sunset visits are possible for those seeking quieter conditions.
Why book the Isle of Skye small-group day trip from Inverness?
- Experience Skye’s dramatic scenery: Traverse the spectacular landscapes of the Isle of Skye, from mountain peaks to coastal cliffs.
- Visit the Fairy Pools: Walk to the crystal-clear waters of the Fairy Pools, a highlight for nature lovers and photographers alike.
- Small-group format: Enjoy a more personalised tour with a limited number of travellers and better opportunities to engage with your guide.
- Eilean Donan Castle photo stop: Pause at this iconic Scottish landmark for memorable photos against the backdrop of lochs and hills.
- Guided all-day adventure: Includes transport from Inverness and commentary from an expert guide, taking the stress out of navigating Skye on your own.
Fairy Pools admission and parking fees
Access to the Fairy Pools is free. Parking in the designated car park costs £6 per vehicle per day. Payment is accepted by contactless card, Apple Pay or cash at the pay-and-display machine located at the car park entrance. The car park is managed by the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, which leases the site from Minginish Community Hall Association.
Maximum vehicle length permitted is 8 metres. No overnight stays are allowed. You can chance your arm with free, unofficial parking further up the hill, however.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
How to get to the Fairy Pools
By car: From Portree (20.5 miles, 30-40 minutes), take the A87 south-west, then A863 towards Dunvegan. At Drynoch, turn left onto the B8009 signposted for Glenbrittle. Just before Carbost village, turn left at the sign for Glenbrittle. Continue 5 miles on the single-track road. The car park is on the right-hand side as the road descends into Glen Brittle. From Kyle of Lochalsh, take the A87 to Sligachan, turn left onto A863, then follow directions as above.
By bus: Stagecoach bus route 56/56A operates seasonally from Portree to Glen Brittle, with stops near the Fairy Pools. Services run during summer months only (approximately April-October). Check Stagecoach Highland website for current timetables, as frequency is limited and the service does not operate year-round. Journey time is approximately 45 minutes from Portree.
By taxi: Taxis from Portree to the Fairy Pools take 30-40 minutes and cost approximately £35-50 each way. Pre-booking is essential. From Carbost, taxis take 10 minutes and cost approximately £12-18.
By tour: Numerous tour operators in Portree and other Skye locations offer day trips including the Fairy Pools. Tours typically combine the pools with other attractions such as Neist Point, Dunvegan Castle and Talisker Distillery. There are also day-long Isle of Skye tours from Inverness that visit the Fairy Pools.
Parking at the Fairy Pools
The car park accommodates approximately 120 spaces, including a lower section reserved for motorhomes, minibuses and larger vehicles. The car park operates a one-way system. Parking fills completely during peak times, particularly July and August between 11am and 1pm, often resulting in roadside queues. Arriving before 10am or after 3pm significantly improves parking availability. During peak season, if the road from Carbost appears heavily congested, visitors in motorhomes are asked to return at a quieter time to reduce pressure on the single-track road. No parking is permitted on roadside verges outside the designated car park.
How long to spend at the Fairy Pools
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 3 hours at the Fairy Pools. The walk to the first and largest waterfall takes approximately 20 minutes each way (2.4km round trip). Visitors continuing to explore upper pools along the river spend 2-3 hours. Those swimming in the pools or taking extensive photographs may extend their visit to 3-4 hours. The return journey uses the same path.
Accessibility at the Fairy Pools
The path from the car park to the first pools is a wide, firm gravel surface with two steel beam and timber footbridges installed in 2022. After the second bridge, a short steep rocky section makes the route unsuitable for wheelchair users. The upper section path is narrower, ungravel led and becomes boggy after rain, with slippery stones in wet conditions.
Steep inclines and rugged terrain throughout make the site unsuitable for wheelchair users. Off-grid toilet facilities in the car park include accessible toilets.
What to see at the Fairy Pools
The walk follows the Allt Coir’ a’ Mhadaidh burn (in Gaelic, meaning “burn of the wolf”) upstream from the car park. The gravel path provides views of the Black Cuillin mountains throughout. The first and largest waterfall is reached after approximately 20 minutes and marks the start of the main pool area. This waterfall feeds a clear blue pool often photographed and used for swimming.
Upstream from the first of these British waterfalls, numerous smaller pools continue along the river, each fed by waterfalls of various sizes. The most photographed pool features a natural rock arch underwater, offering an adventurous swim-through for confident swimmers. Water is crystal-clear, revealing moss-covered stones on the pool bottoms. Water temperature remains cold year-round (typically 8-12°C), though some visitors swim without wetsuits during summer.
The path continues beyond the main pools for those wishing to explore further into Glen Brittle. The upper section becomes progressively narrower, muddier and less maintained. Views extend up the glen towards the Cuillin peaks. Wildlife including sheep, ravens and potentially otters may be observed.
The car park area provides panoramic views towards the Black Cuillin mountains. Flowering heather borders the path during late summer (August-September). Midges are prevalent during warm, still conditions, particularly May-September.
Practical tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Arrive before 10am or after 3pm during July-August to avoid parking difficulties and crowds at the pools. |
| Wear waterproof hiking boots as the path becomes muddy and slippery after rain, particularly in upper sections. |
| Bring midge repellent, especially during May-September when midges are severe in calm, warm conditions. |
| If planning to swim, bring a wetsuit as water temperature remains 8-12°C year-round and can cause cold shock. |
| The single-track road from Carbost requires careful driving with use of passing places; allow extra time. |
| Dogs must be kept on leads due to sheep grazing in the area. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Fairy Pools suitable for children? | Yes. The path to the first waterfall is wide and suitable for children. Supervise children closely near pools due to cold water and fast-flowing sections. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No. The site is open access with no booking system. Parking is pay-on-arrival. |
| Are the Fairy Pools open on Sundays? | Yes. The pools are accessible 24 hours daily including Sundays throughout the year. |
| Can you swim in the pools? | Yes. Swimming is permitted though water is very cold (8-12°C) year-round. Wetsuits are strongly recommended. |
| Are there toilets? | Yes. Off-grid toilets including accessible facilities are located in the car park. No toilets exist along the walk. |
| Can you fly drones? | No. Drone flying is prohibited without a UK flyer and operator ID issued by the Civil Aviation Authority. |
Things to do near the Fairy Pools
Talisker Distillery, Carbost (5 miles): Scotland’s oldest working Isle of Skye distillery, founded 1830, offering tours and tastings of single malt whisky.
Glenbrittle Campsite & Café (3 miles): Award-winning campsite with Cuillin Coffee Co. café serving food and speciality coffee, 8am-7pm daily April-15 October.
Dunvegan Castle (18 miles): Scotland’s oldest continuously inhabited castle, ancestral home of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, with gardens, woodland walks and boat trips. Closed mid-October to March.
Neist Point (25 miles): Isle of Skye’s westernmost point featuring a lighthouse built in 1909, dramatic cliffs and whale, dolphin and shark watching opportunities. Free access via steep path.
Coire Lagan (via Glen Brittle road, 4 miles): Mountain corrie with Loch Coire Lagan beneath the Cuillin peaks, accessible via hiking trail for experienced hillwalkers. Free access but requires mountain navigation skills.
More Scotland travel
Other Scotland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- How to visit the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye.
- Practical visitor guide to Lealt Falls on the Isle of Skye.
- How – and why – to get to the Commando Memorial in the Scottish Highlands.
- The logistics of stopping at the Loch Tulla Viewpoint.
- What you need to know before visiting Attadale Gardens and Strome Castle.
