Where To Find The Magical Isle of Skye Fairies

Published by Graeme on

You’ve probably already heard stories of the Isle of Skye fairies. Maybe you’ve just heard of a few locations linked to these magical Scottish folk creatures. If you’re looking to find them as you explore this incredible island, you’re going to need this guide.

The Quiraing on Skye

Skye is an amazing place, the mountains, waterfalls and glens are the perfect setting for legends. It’s more than just a cliché tourist destination though and there are real stories behind those locations. Some are truly historic tales while others are wild legends of the Isle of Skye fairies.

I’m going to make sure you know about both.

Never miss a story! Sign up to the Scotland’s Stories Newsletter here.

This post contains some links that I may make commission from with no extra cost to you.

What Are The Isle Of Skye Fairies?

The first thing you need to know when looking for the fairies on the Isle of Skye is what these creatures are! Forget what you know about Tinkerbell, Scottish fairies are a wee bit different, although her attitude isn’t far off…

Fairies always wear green, love music, dancing and feasting, and they don’t care too much about humans. They’re often thought to live underground, inside special hills, with an entrance only visible on certain nights. Time moves differently in the fairy realm so human lives pass in the blink of an eye – we just aren’t that significant to them!

They might abduct babies or new mothers into their world, replacing them with changelings. It sounds harsh, but it can be a comfort to know that your loved one isn’t dead, they’re just living with the fairies!

If you’re looking to learn more about legends and history behind real places in Scotland, you’ll want to pickup a copy of Scotland’s Stories – Historic Tales For Incredible Places!

Fairy Magic At Sligachan Bridge

Almost every trip to Skye involves a stop at Old Sligachan Bridge. This is an important crossroads at the heart of the island and one of the best places to find the Isle of Skye fairies because they’ve enchanted the river Sligachan!

The story surrounds Scotland’s greatest warrior, a legendary female fighter by the name of Scáthach. She was an expert in all forms of warfare and people came from far and wide to train with her at Dunscaith Castle.

Her fame eventually reached the ears of Irish demi-god Cú Chulainn who wasn’t happy somebody could be considered a match for him. He challenged Scáthach to prove once and for all who was strongest. They battled fiercely for days and Scáthach’s daughter Uathach began to worry her mother would be killed.

Sligachan Bridge & The Cuillins
View of the Cuillins from Sligachan Bridge

She came to the River Sligachan to plead with the fairies of Skye to help her mother. The Queen of the Fairies was moved by the daughter’s love. She told the girl to wash her face in the river and she would be blessed with the knowledge she needed to save Scáthach. Immediately, Uathach knew what to do.

She raced home to create the greatest feast the island had ever seen. Before long, the smell spread to the warriors and their stomachs began to rumble. They agreed a temporary truce, entering Dunscaith’s great hall to eat.

Washing Face beneath sligachan bridge

Suddenly they both realised they had broken bread together. Cú Chulainn was now a guest in Scáthach’s home, and he couldn’t fight her out of respect and tradition. They would have to accept the battle was a draw!

The Isle of Skye fairies left a bit of magic behind in River Sligachan. You’ll need to lie down near the bridge and submerge your face completely in the water for 7 seconds. If you’re brave enough to leave your face to dry in the wind, then you’ll be blessed with eternal beauty!

The Famous Fairy Pools Of Skye

One of the most famous locations on the Isle of Skye is the Fairy Pools. The enchanting, crystal clear water with a backdrop of misty mountains puts them at the top of many Skye bucket lists. The water takes on a naturally blueish green hue which has given this section of the river its magical name.

The water is icy cold and the wind can be unforgiving when it blows through here, but that doesn’t stop people from taking the plunge here! It’s a unique experience but if you’re going to have a dip, make sure you wrap up warm and be prepared for dozens of walkers to be passing you by!

Isle of Skye Fairy Pools

While the name is famous, this isn’t somewhere you’re likely to find any Isle of Skye fairies. The scenery is magical but the name is fairly recent and there’s no traditional folklore linked here. There is however an incredible true story surrounding the War of the One Eyed Woman in the late 16th century!

She was Margaret MacLeod, sister to the chief of the MacLeods and handfasted to the chief of the MacDonalds to secure a peace. Unfortunately, before their one-year trial marriage was over, Margaret had lost an eye. Her husband Donald sent her back to her brother on a one-eyed horse, led by a one-eyed man, accompanied by a one-eyed dog.

Fairy Pools on Skye

This insult couldn’t be ignored and a series of brutal conflicts escalated to a crescendo right here at the Fairy Pools. It’s true name is Coire na Creach and the slaughter was so horrendous, the river ran red instead of its famous blue-green. Thankfully for the rest of Skye, shortly after this, a peace was finally agreed.

The drive to the Fairy Pools is around 6 miles down a single-track road which should be taken with extreme care. I’d highly recommend avoiding early afternoon when things are busiest, instead aim for early morning or the evening to have the place almost to yourself. The hike itself is around a 2.5km walk along a well-made, but sometimes steep, path so bring sturdy shoes!

Dunvegan Castle’s Fairy Connection

Not only is Dunvegan Castle the ancestral home of Clan MacLeod, it’s also the location of one of the most popular legends of the fairies of Skye. One of the early MacLeod chiefs fell in love with a fairy princess, but her father wouldn’t let the two marry. After much pleading, he finally agreed to let the couple be handfast for a year and a day.

The Fairy Bridge - Skye

By the time the fairy princess was due to return home, she had given birth to a baby boy. Being half-mortal, he couldn’t go with her to the fairy realm and would have to remain on Skye. Before she returned to her father at the Fairy Bridge, the princess made Macleod promise never to leave the boy to cry, otherwise the noise would break her heart.

Macleod mourned the loss badly, so his clansmen threw a party to cheer him up. The baby was watched over by his nurse, however the noise of music and laughter was too much for her to ignore. She left her post to join in the celebration but just then, the child awoke and started to cry.

The fairy princess heard her son crying and returned to Dunvegan to comfort him. She soothed him to sleep before swaddling him in her silken scarf. That’s what you can see hanging inside the castle, now known as the Fairy Flag. If the MacLeods were ever in need, all they had to do was wave the flag to call on the fairies for help!

Fairy Flag of Dunvegan

It’s kept the clan safe through battles and famines, although it’s said to only have one magical wave left! If Dunvegan is closed, then you can still visit the Fairy Bridge not far away!

The Fairy Glen of Skye

The Trotternish Peninsula is one of my favourite areas to explore on Skye. This part of the island is famous for ancient landslips that have formed its dramatic scenery. Up a quiet road away from Uig, The Fairy Glen of Skye looks like a tiny, scale model of a picturesque glen.

Isle of Skye Fairy Glen

Strange lumps and mounds are watched over by a towering pillar nicknamed Castle Ewen. It seems impossibly green and the view from the top is spectacular. Sadly, the fairies of Skye wouldn’t be happy to see some of the damage that recent footfall has caused. Visitors regularly move stones into spirals on the ground for photo opportunities and walking inside them has worn away the grass entirely.

A Real life Skye Fairy

The Fairy Glen is a beautiful spot on Skye, but it will only remain that way if we’re responsible with it. If you do visit, then avoid moving anything and be careful where you step. It might seem like a small thing, but it all adds up and do you really want to risk angering the Isle of Skye fairies?!

Who Made The Old Man Of Storr?

The Old Man of Storr is one of Skye’s most iconic landmarks, so it’s no surprise it has a few stories to tell.

The most common story claims it’s part of a giant that was once defeated in battle! It fell on the Trotternish Peninsula and the hillside collapsed to cover him like a cairn. It’s said that the Old Man of Storr was once the giant’s thumb, the only bit still above ground!

Another tale says that the pinnacle was carved by a Brownie as a memorial for his farmer friend. However, the story that we’re interested in surrounds the mischievous Isle of Skye fairies!

The Old Man of Storr - Skye

A local couple once climbed to the top of these hills every single day of their long and happy marriage. As the years passed and the couple grew older, the wife began to struggle with their daily hike. Her husband refused to break the tradition and when she just couldn’t climb any longer, he carried her on his back.

It wasn’t long before the old man wasn’t strong enough anymore, but he still didn’t want to leave his love behind. The fairies had taken an interest in the strange sight of the couple plodding up the hill daily. When they heard the man wish that his wife was able to go everywhere that he went, they decided to pay him a visit.

The fairies agreed to grant his request, all he had to do was carry his partner up the hill one more time on his back. Once they had reached the top, the devious creatures turned the couple into this huge stone pillar. As promised, the husband would no longer go anywhere without his wife, joined together forever.

View over Skye

Where To Stay On The Isle Of Skye

You’re going to need somewhere to stay while exploring the Isle of Skye. It’s a big island with a lot of choice but it gets booked up quickly! Here are my top options:

Hostelling Scotland Portree This is the best budget option on the island. Clean and comfortable with the option of sharing rooms in bunkbeds or booking one privately.

Coolin View Very central with incredible views over the harbour and a self check-in system.

Stonefield House – A great value guest house within walking distance of the centre of Portree!

Harbour House – Hire a full house in Portree for up to six people and split the cost!

Achalochan House – If you want to stay away from Portree, you can’t go wrong with this incredible B&B with an amazing breakfast to match!

Stein Inn How about staying in the oldest pub on Skye?! Treat yourself to a seafood dinner here as well!


If you’d like to go looking for Fairies on the Isle of Skye, then how about going on a Scotland’s Stories Tour?

Just click this link to make an enquiry and book your private driving tour today!

Want To See More of Scotland?

Sign up to get blog updates!
No spam. Ever.


Graeme

Writer and Storyteller

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Avatar placeholder

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *