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Fairy Glen in Scotland 

Who knew there were fairies on the northern tip of Scotland? We didn’t until we went to Uig and visited the Fairy Glen. Uig is a funny little coastal town located on the West side of Trotternish at Balnacnoc in the Isle of Skye. Every local had their own way of pronouncing Uig, but we decided to go with “ooo-eeg.”

One of the most exciting parts of Uig is the Fairy Glen. This is a mysterious, natural hilly area where – legend has it – fairies live. No matter what you believe, it’s a magical place and quite eerie in the usual Scottish mist.

Getting to Fairy Glen

It’s not easy to get to Fairy Glen, but that makes it even more worth visiting! The nearest bus stop is 1.5km from the Glen at the Uig Hotel (Bus 57 or Citylink 916 from Portree). You can also take a 30 minute walk from Uig. We had a rental car so were able to drive right to the Glen and park along the road. We were there around 8am on a Sunday morning and not a soul was around. During busier times there may be a charge for parking so be prepared for this.

Fairy Glen is not marked and is actually not an official park. It is owned by the locals and there are no signs to help you find it. If you are coming from Portree (north on A87), turn right on the road just before the Uig Hotel and then drive for 5 minutes on the narrow road until you see a small pond on the right. There are a few pull-off areas to park your car, but come early so you can get a spot and enjoy the Fairy Glen without other visitors around.

What to bring

Depending on the unpredictable Scottish weather, you should consider bringing clothing for all conditions, especially rain and cold, sunscreen if you get lucky on a rare summer’s day, and good shoes for hiking around the area. It isn’t a very large area so no strenuous hiking is involved unless you want to climb Castle Ewan, the highest point in the Glen. If it is muddy, waterproof shoes are a must. If you have nice enough weather, a picnic is also a great idea!

What to see

Castle Ewan is the highest point in the Glen, so named because the natural rock formed in the shape of a ruined castle. We were able to get some great views after climbing to this point.

What makes the area special and mysterious are the many small hills that look like ripples, and swampy lowlands that have formed into perfect circles. These are attributed to the myths of fairies that have popped up around the area, probably encouraged by local tour guides.

One of these “myths” says that pressing coins into a small cave wall under Castle Ewan will please the fairies and bring luck. Tourists have taken this a step further and started creating spirals in the ground with rocks. Some believe that if you leave an offering of coins in the center the fairies will bring you luck. Even better, if you walk around the spiral backwards you will be granted eternal luck.

None of these myths are actual local legends. The locals are quite annoyed when tourists create these spirals (as you can see in this photo) and when they build small rock piles around the area.

As of last month, we heard that the locals have dismantled the spiral and rock piles. We hope that the area will begin to return to its beautiful, natural state!

If you go

Consider parking at Uig and walking in to the Glen, especially if you arrive during a popular time. If you rent a car it is probably safe to park next to the Glen if you come in the early morning before the tourists arrive.

Enjoy the fascinating rock structures and natural mysteries but don’t deface the property, no matter how tempting it is to make your own fairy spiral or pyre of rocks. Observe the natural beauty and leave it as you have found it. Picnicking here would be a great idea in nice weather, but remember to take your trash with you.

The Fairy Glen is not very big and can easily be explored in an hour. Consider wearing boots if you come during wet weather as the grounds can get fairly muddy and marshy.

Things to do in Uig

Enjoy your time in the Fairy Glen, then head on over to Uig to sample a wide range of excellent whiskey in the local pubs. On a rainy day, hanging out with the locals – who are mostly fishermen and farmers – is quite the experience! The Ferry Inn and the Pub at the Pier seem to be the most popular choices. You can also check out the more touristy Isle of Skye Brewery.

If you have time, St. Kilda Island is home to the largest population of puffins in Scotland. Boat tours regularly visit there, but make sure you check for the best time of year to see the puffins before you book. Generally, the end of April to early August is the best time to visit.

Have you been to Uig? Tell us about it in the comments below! If you haven’t been, let us know when you are going!