Fairy Glen – Isle of Skye, Scotland

Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye, Scotland is one of the most magical-looking places I’ve ever been in my life! Although, there isn’t any historical legends of fairies creating this landscape, it’s very easy to see why the locals named this area after fairies. Fair Glen is growing in popularity, but compared to some of the other sites we saw on the Isle of Skye, there weren’t many people here at all. That being said, this was one of my top 2 favorite things we did on the Isle of Skye.

NEED TO KNOW – FAIRY GLEN, SCOTLAND

⋙ IT’S A NATURAL WONDERLAND –  There are conical hills, waterfalls, rock formations, ferns + foxglove galore!
⋙ CASTLE EWAN ISN’T ACTUALLY A CASTLE AT ALL – There’s a specific formation that looks like a castle tower. It’s been dubbed “Castle Ewan”. However, it isn’t a castle at all. It’s all natural, but climbing it does offer a great view!
⋙ STONE PATTERNS ARE LEFT BY TOURISTS, AND LOCALS HATE THEM – From atop Castle Ewan, there’s a vantage point that show off the hill, but also these circles pressed into the ground. These are made by stones moved about by travelers and tour companies. In addition to not being natural, it is literally destroying the nature. Moving stones like this is part of the leave no trace – just don’t do it. In fact, locals on the Fairy Glen Facebook Page, organize a clean up to take down the stones.
⋙ SEEING FAIRY GLEN AT ITS BEST REQUIRES SOME HIKING – Although it’s beautiful from the bottom of the valleys, when you stand on top of one, the views are just pure magic. That said, we always get travel insurance when we know we’re going to hike. Ever since World Nomads covered me falling on a hike and breaking my arm in Thailand we have come to truly value having policy.
⋙ GETTING TO + FROM FAIRY GLEN IS A BIT TRICKY –  Getting to Fairy Glen requires a bit of a hair-raising ride on some one-lane roads that curve around hillsides with drop-offs. Locals are used to them and fly around the curves, when you get an opportunity to pull over and let them pass, do it. Luckily, this is a stop on a day tour to the Isle of Skye if you’re intimidated driving on the left.

OUR FAIRY GLEN ADVENTURE

We were unbelievably blessed with spectacular weather 90% of the time we were in Scotland. This day was no exception. We got to Fairy Glen and from the first glances alone, I felt my heart race. I’m a nature-lover through and through, and this nears the top of my favorite natural sites list (which is very, very long and always growing to be honest).

We started along the path and at first all you can see is the conical hills. Which, let me explain, these aren’t all over Scotland. They aren’t even all over the Isle of Skye. The drive up looks like regular rolling hills nearish to the coast. You simply round a corner into this magical fairy land. As if the hills weren’t magical enough, if you look closely, you’ll see that these stunning hills are covered with ferns! Ferns are Matt’s favorite plant, which made it even more amazing for him! The paths to each hill cut through the fern, so their leaves brush your legs and hips as you walk through adding to the fairy-like experience. When the ferns opened up to this view, I became overjoyed, took off and ran up this hill! I was giggling the whole time and threw my hands up over my head when I reached the top. (I was also panting because this girl doesn’t run for anything ha!) The magic of the Fairy Glen is real, even if it isn’t given from fairies. You can see a person standing atop of Castle Ewan here. Although, we didn’t climb up there (we simply had far too much to do that day) the views from up there are supposed to be amazing. You can see all the cones with the small waterfalls behind from one side. From the other, you see the circles and stones carved into the ground from tourists and tour companies. Again, don’t do this, don’t spread this and don’t share photos of it. It’s harmful to the natural environment. The magic of Fairy Glen comes from the ferns, the conical hills, the ponds, the waterfalls, Castle Ewan and just the feel of experiencing this natural wonderland. This is the road that winds through the hills and then they continue on either side.
In addition to ferns, foxgloves are sprinkled throughout the hills at Fairy Glen. Loving life with two of the most amazing women in my life: my mom + aunt!   Although there isn’t a true legend or fairy tale attached to Fairy Glen, I sort-of like that. It allows you to make your own story and to make your own magic. For me, Fairy Glen is one of the places I have felt the most natural magic anywhere in the world.

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