The Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye: Walk, Parking and Camping Guide
· Updated
The Fairy Pools are a run of clear blue and green pools fed by waterfalls in Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye, sitting directly below the jagged Black Cuillin. You reach them on foot from a pay-and-display car park at Glenbrittle, and the walk is about 2.4km (1.5 miles) each way, allowing one to one and a half hours for the round trip.
It is one of the most photographed spots in the Scottish Highlands, and one of the busiest, so timing and a bit of planning make all the difference. This guide covers the walk, the parking, wild swimming, responsible access and the nearest places to pitch up.
It is part of our guide to camping in the UK's national parks, from Camping Sites in Britain, where you can find and compare campsites across Skye and the wider Highlands.
Where are the Fairy Pools?
The Fairy Pools are in Glen Brittle, on the south west of the Isle of Skye, at the foot of the Black Cuillin ridge. The nearest village is Carbost, and the walk starts from the Glenbrittle car park a few miles further down a single-track road.
Skye is joined to the mainland by the Skye Bridge, so you can drive the whole way without a ferry. From the bridge it is roughly an hour to Glenbrittle, and the final stretch is a narrow road with passing places, so allow more time than the distance suggests. The drive itself is part of the appeal, and we cover routes like it in our guide to the best scenic drives to campsites.
The walk to the Fairy Pools
The walk is about 2.4km (1.5 miles) each way from the car park, and most people take one to one and a half hours for the full round trip, longer if you stop to swim or take photos. The path drops from the car park towards the River Brittle, then follows the water uphill as one pool gives way to the next.
It is not a hard walk, but it is rough and often wet underfoot. Expect loose stone, boggy patches and a couple of small burns to cross that can rise quickly after rain. Wear proper walking boots or trail shoes, not trainers, and take waterproofs whatever the forecast says, because Skye weather turns fast.
As you climb, the pointed peak of Sgurr an Fheadain rises straight ahead, split by the dark gash of the Waterpipe Gully, with the main Cuillin ridge behind. On a clear day it is one of the finest mountain backdrops in Britain. If you fancy more walking while you are in the area, our guide to how to choose a campsite in the Highlands is a good next read.
Parking at Glenbrittle
You park at the dedicated Fairy Pools car park at Glenbrittle, which is run by the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, a local charity that reinvests the income into path repairs and upkeep. The current charge is £8 per car, paid on site by contactless card, Apple Pay or cash at the manned kiosk.
The car park has 177 spaces, but it still fills up. In summer it is often full by mid-morning, and cars overflowing onto the single-track road is a genuine problem. Arrive before 09:00 or after 16:00 to give yourself the best chance of a space and a quieter walk.
- Charge: £8 per car, pay on site (card, Apple Pay or cash)
- Spaces: 177, frequently full by mid-morning in summer
- Not suitable for towed caravans, and vehicles must be under 8 metres
- Best times to arrive: early morning or late afternoon
If you are touring the island by van, the same early-or-late rule applies, and you will find more on that in our guide to the best sites for campervanning in Scotland.
Wild swimming in the Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are a well-known wild swimming spot, and the water is properly cold all year, because it comes straight off the mountains. Even in a warm July spell you are looking at single-figure temperatures, so treat it as cold-water swimming rather than a casual dip.
Bring a wetsuit if you plan to swim more than briefly, along with neoprene gloves and socks, a woolly hat and warm dry layers for afterwards. Get in slowly, stay close to the edge, and never jump into a pool you have not checked for depth and submerged rock. The larger pools are deep enough to swim, but the bed is uneven and slippery.
Go with someone rather than alone, know your limits in cold water, and get out before you start shivering. Follow the water safety advice from the RNLI on cold-water shock before you get in.
Responsible access and wild camping
You have a right of responsible access to the Fairy Pools under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, exercised in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. That same right covers wild camping in Scotland, which is legal in small numbers for a night or two on most unenclosed land, unlike almost everywhere in England and Wales.
Glen Brittle is a fragile, heavily visited spot, so camp with real care if you camp at all. Pitch well away from the path and the pools, stay one or two nights at most, light no open fires, and take absolutely everything home, including human waste dug well away from water. The full rules are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and honestly a nearby campsite is kinder to the glen and more comfortable for you.
Where to camp near the Fairy Pools
The closest campsite is Glenbrittle Campsite, right by the beach at the end of the glen, a short drive from the Fairy Pools car park with views straight up to the Cuillin. It has a shop and shower block and is an ideal base for the pools and the surrounding hills.
Further north, the Sligachan area sits where the roads to Portree and Glenbrittle meet, with a campsite, hotel and famous old bridge, and it makes a handy central base for the whole island. To compare these and other options across the region, browse our listings for the Highlands, or start from the full campsite directory.
| Base | Distance from Fairy Pools | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Glenbrittle Campsite | Nearest, a few minutes' drive | Early starts, beach and Cuillin walks |
| Sligachan | About 30 minutes | A central base for exploring all of Skye |
| Carbost / Portnalong | 15 to 20 minutes | Village amenities and the Talisker distillery |
Best time to visit
Late spring and early autumn give you the best balance of daylight, water flow and smaller crowds. The waterfalls look their most dramatic after rain, and May and September are quieter than the July and August peak, when the car park fills earliest.
Whatever the month, go early or late in the day. Midges are worst on still, damp evenings from June to September, so pack repellent and a head net, and the pools are quieter and better lit for photos in the first and last hours of the day anyway.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to park at the Fairy Pools?
Parking is £8 per car at the Glenbrittle car park, run by the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland. You pay on site by contactless card, Apple Pay or cash. There is no separate charge to walk to or swim in the pools.
How long is the walk to the Fairy Pools?
It is about 2.4km (1.5 miles) each way from the car park, and most people allow one to one and a half hours for the round trip. The path is rough and often wet, so wear boots and take waterproofs.
Can you swim in the Fairy Pools?
Yes, wild swimming is popular in the larger pools, but the water is cold all year. Bring a wetsuit, get in slowly, check depth before entering, and swim with someone rather than alone.
Can you wild camp at the Fairy Pools?
Wild camping is legal in Scotland under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Glen Brittle is heavily used, though, so camp well away from the pools, stay one or two nights, take everything home, or use Glenbrittle Campsite instead.
What time should I arrive at the Fairy Pools?
Arrive before 09:00 or after 16:00 in summer. The 177-space car park is often full by mid-morning, and the early and late hours give you quieter paths and better light for photographs.
Are the Fairy Pools suitable for children?
Yes, families walk it regularly, but the ground is uneven and wet, and there are small burns to cross. Keep young children close near the water, and turn back at the first few pools if the full walk looks too much.
The short version
The Fairy Pools are a stunning, easy-to-reach mountain walk on Skye: park at Glenbrittle for £8, walk about 2.4km each way to the pools below the Black Cuillin, and swim only with a wetsuit and real care. Arrive early, follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and base yourself at Glenbrittle Campsite or nearby.
To plan the rest of the trip, browse campsites across the Highlands or read our wider guide to camping in the UK's national parks.
