The walk to the Fairy Pools:
The walk to the Fairy Pools consists of a rough track - which has a tendency to get quite muddy if the weather has been wet.
The first difficult part is across a gushing stream. The rocks become slippery when wet, and, if it has been raining heavily, there is less rock to walk or balance on!
One one very wet April day, the stream was so swollen that it was impossible to cross there.
We made our way further downstream, where it split into two and the current was less strong, and crossed there.
After that, the path continues. It is by no means difficult terrain, except perhaps in the areas that require you to navigate stepping stones.
The Fairy Pools:
The walk to one of the most popular pools takes around 20 minutes each way.
There are three main popular pools and plenty of little ones in between!
This pool has a wonderful view of the Cuillins in the background. It is also close to a small waterfall. This is usually the furthest we go into the mountains.
This pool is famous for the magical green hue of the water.
The little ledge close to the waterfall is a great area for you to stand - close to the waterfall but with dry feet! If the rain has been falling heavily, however, this area is more or less submerged.
The three photographs above, taken on three different occasions, show how the waterfall changes.
One of the midway pools is distinctive due to the large rock that juts into the water.
This pool is a little bit closer to the car park and less of a walk.
The major pool nearest the car park requires a bit of a scramble to get to! With a large, gushing waterfall, it is worth the scramble - provided you are wearing sturdy and waterproof shoes.
Fairy Pools is only around a 15 minute drive from the beautiful Glenbrittle Beach, as seen below.
The Car Park:
The car park fills very quickly in summer, so getting there around 15 to 20 minutes early is a good idea. Many people park on the sides of the single track roads - however this impedes local traffic, so this is something to avoid.
The beauty of the Fairy Pools is that you can choose exactly how far you want to walk and exactly which pool you want to be photographed by (or in!) No matter what you choose, you are guaranteed a spectacular location and an awe-inspiring backdrop.
A new development has seen ownership of the car park transfer to the local community. They plan to charge £5 for parking in the car park, so it may be worth bringing some spare change with you!