Fairy Pools

Natural waterfall phenomenon in Glen Brittle

The highest of the fairy pools

57°15′00″N 6°15′23″W﻿ / ﻿57.25°N 6.2565°W﻿ / 57.25; -6.2565 The Fairy Pools (Scottish Gaelic: Glumagan nan Sithichean[1]) are a series of natural pools and waterfalls in Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. They are in Coire na Creiche ("corrie of the spoils"), on the Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh ("burn of the corrie of the wolf/dog"),[2] at the foot of the Cuillin mountains. The pools are a vivid aqua blue[3] and are a popular place for wild swimmers who brave the frigid waters.[4]

The habitat of the Fairy Pools hosts a variety of animals, such as red deer, rabbits, and sheep. The area is also host to a large number of birds. Large flocks of crows, ravens, and gulls are present in the area, as well as such smaller birds as meadow pipits, turnstones, common ringed plovers, grey herons, dunlins, and curlews. The landscape is mostly rocky, with some boggy areas here and there. The water in the area is typically cold, as the pools are fed by mountain streams.[5]

From being unnamed and virtually unrecognised as a tourist attraction, the popularity of the Fairy Pools as a location for walkers has surged. Visitor numbers in 2006 were 13,000, increasing to 82,000 by 2015 and more than doubling to 180,000 by 2019.[6][7][8] It is about a 20-minute walk to the Fairy Pools from the Glen Brittle car park.

The first known reference to the location as 'the Fairy Pools' is in a 1930s guide book. There are no known associations with fairies.[9]

The Battle of Coire Na Creiche was fought in the area in 1601.[2]

## Internet hoax

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In 2013 an internet hoax circulated suggesting the Fairy Pools had sprouted vivid purple flora. The images circulated were actually of the Shotover River in New Zealand.[10]

## References

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1. ^ "Goireasan a' fosgladh aig Glumagan nan Sithichean". Naidheachdan a' BhBC (in Scottish Gaelic). Retrieved 13 August 2022.
2. ^ a b "Fairy Pools, Glenbrittle – Rivers and Canals". www.visitscotland.com.
3. ^ Rew, Kate (21 August 2009). "Wild swim: a magical dip in Skye's Fairy Pools" – via www.theguardian.com.
4. ^ John, Rob St (25 November 2011). "Just back: the Fairy Pools of Skye" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
5. ^ "Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland - Unique Places around the World". WorldAtlas.
6. ^ "Fairy Pools walk on the Isle of Skye in Scotland". www.isleofskye.com.
7. ^ "Soaring popularity of Fairy Pools beauty spot forces rethink over toilet plan". 29 June 2019.
8. ^ "Fairy Pools, Skye: Islanders meet challenge of 'bucket list' tourism". The Scotsman. 12 July 2021.
9. ^ "Skye's Fairy Pools: Delving into famous landmark's bloody past". BBC News. 2 April 2024.
10. ^ Tweedie, Katrina. "The Fairy Pools of Skye and the great Internet hoax - Scotland Now". www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk.

## External links

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* Fairy Pools Isle of Skye | Ultimate Visitors Guide: Tips, Tours, Accommodation