Wild Swimming
Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are Scotland's most Instagrammed swim location — a sequence of crystal-clear turquoise pools fed by cascades from the Black Cuillin, set in the Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh gorge above Glen Brittle. The colour comes from the combination of basalt geology and peaty clarity. The reality lives up to the pictures, but the crowds on summer afternoons do not — go early morning or early evening for the experience this place deserves. The water is genuinely very cold even in August.
Quick facts
- Type
- Waterfall
- Region
- Skye
- Grid ref
- NG 437 228
- Entry
- Rock slab
- Depth
- Medium (chest-deep)
- Summer water temp
- 5–11°C
- Midges
- Very high
- Dogs
- On lead only
Key hazards
- very cold water year-round (5–11°C)
- cold water shock
- high crowds June–September
- slippery basalt rock
- midges
Getting there
NatureScot/Dunvegan Estate car park on the B8009 near Glenbrittle (IV47 8SH, pay and display, frequently full by 9am on sunny days). 1.5km walk on a well-surfaced path to the first pool. SOAC rights apply.
Parking postcode: IV47 8SH
Safety
Cold water shock is the primary risk — these pools never exceed 11°C even in August. Enter slowly, never dive, acclimatise before full immersion. The basalt rocks are extremely slippery. Midges are ferocious on calm days — bring repellent or swim on a breezy morning.
Best for
- bucket-list wild swim
- Skye photography
- Cuillin combination walk
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:18
- Sunset
- 21:25
- Civil dawn
- 04:28
- Civil dusk
- 22:15
NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026
Common questions
- How cold are the Fairy Pools?
- Very cold — typically 5–11°C year-round, fed directly by Cuillin snowmelt and mountain streams. The vivid turquoise colour is partly a function of the water clarity and basalt geology, not warmth. A wetsuit is strongly recommended.
- When is the best time to visit the Fairy Pools?
- Arrive before 8am or after 6pm in summer to avoid the peak crowds. June and September are quieter than July–August. The morning light on the Cuillin gives the best photography.
- How do you get to the Fairy Pools?
- Drive the B8009 south from Carbost toward Glenbrittle. The NatureScot car park is on the right. Walk 1.5km up the well-maintained path. Allow 2 hours return for a good explore.
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