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All the United Kingdom Scotland Isle of Skye Fairy Glen

Fairy Glen

This dramatic landscape hidden on the Isle of Skye looks as though you've stepped into the magical realm.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Added By
Kerry Wolfe
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Fairy Glen, as viewed from Castle Ewan.   Kerry Wolfe / Atlas Obscura User
Fairy Glen, a fairytale landscape off the beaten tourist path.   Kerry Wolfe / Atlas Obscura User
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Path from the parking lot   Kiram108 / Atlas Obscura User
Among the ferns   Kiram108 / Atlas Obscura User
Circles and clouds   Kiram108 / Atlas Obscura User
Foxgloves   Kiram108 / Atlas Obscura User
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Fairy Glen July 2023   Juliejoolz / Atlas Obscura User
Panoramic wander   Kiram108 / Atlas Obscura User
More foxgloves- please remember to NOT pick at the poisonous flowers   Kiram108 / Atlas Obscura User
Fairy Glen formations and sheep.   rachaelcosta / Atlas Obscura User
Fairy Glen Tower with Flying Rowan and lamb.   rachaelcosta / Atlas Obscura User
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The Fairy Glen is one of the Isle of Skye’s most enchanting attractions. The bumpy, off-the-beaten-path spot stands out from the surrounding farmland. The natural rock formations, cone-shaped hills dotted with ponds, and scattered waterfalls, are all within one small area, making it seem like the shrunken version of a large-scale geological wonder.

Though there’s no definitive folklore linking the land to the magical realm, some say faeries created the dramatic landscape and still dwell within its many crevices. It's no wonder; the whimsical otherworldly landscape looks just like the kind of place you'd expect to find mythical creatures. The Isle of Skye is, after all, rich with faerie lore. However, the unique geological formations result from a landslip, similar to the one that created the nearby Quiraing. 

It’s easy to spend a morning or afternoon wandering among the cluster of hills. The grassy glen’s natural colors are especially vivid on a sunny day. Visitors can take their time climbing the mounds or snapping photos of the stone designs tourists tend to create (though they’re not nearly as impressive as the more permanent rock spiral). The best vantage point is from the top of Castle Ewan, the natural rock formation that resembles an ancient ruin. A steep, narrow trail leads directly to the top, but it does involve a bit of scrambling.

The locals consider the stone designs created by tourists to be vandalism and spend the winter undoing them each year. Since the glens are on private property, it's appropriate to respect the wishes of the locals on this matter and refrain from building with the rocks.

Related Tags

Landscapes Martian Landscapes Fairies Fairytales Rock Formations Geological Oddities Nature Natural Wonders Ecosystems Geology

Know Before You Go

Note that there are no signs for the Fairy Glen. If you're heading North on the A87 (coming from Portree), turn right on the road right just before the Uig Hotel. It's about a five minute drive along a narrow, winding path to the glen, which is visible from the road. Park and pay at the designated car park. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Kerry Wolfe

Edited By

Greg Jones, Blindcolour, raymondwinn1941, trish1234...

  • Greg Jones
  • Blindcolour
  • raymondwinn1941
  • trish1234
  • Rain Salazar
  • Kiram108
  • janessaperez5637
  • annacostarowan
  • rachaelcosta
  • Collector of Experiences
  • starrybluenight
  • Juliejoolz
  • Pacifickat22
  • rakimwes
  • HouseDaugherty

Published

March 7, 2017

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  • https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/skye-places/fairy-glen
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fairy+Glen,+Uig/@57.5832243,-6.339768,15.25z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x488e901ab368443f:0x2bd1f22b1b3e7107!2sA87,+Uig,+Inverness+IV63+7YW,+UK!3b1!8m2!3d57.5840919!4d-6.3573744!3m4!1s0x488dc95be6a52dfb:0x10e8d016953c6958!8m2!3d57.5825718!4d-6.3252604
Fairy Glen
A87
Uig
Isle of Skye, Scotland
United Kingdom
57.5826, -6.3253
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Nearby Places

The Quiraing

Isle of Skye, Scotland

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

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Isle of Skye

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Nearby Places

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Isle of Skye Dinosaur Tracks

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye

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