The Fairy Glen, near Uig

A bizarre and delightful miniature landscape of grassy, cone-shaped hills, the Fairy Glen (sometimes spelt Faerie Glen) is a beautiful spot on a sunny summer's day.

Terrain

Mostly dry, grassy walking. Paths are faint but the exact route taken when exploring the glen doesn't matter.

Public Transport

No direct public transport. Nearest bus stop 1.5km at Uig Hotel (Bus 57 or Citylink 916 from Portree).

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Start

Grass verges on the Balnaknock road just before the fairy glen. Map and directions.

Currently 4.10/5

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 1.5km/0.75 miles
Time: 1 - 2 hours
Ascent: 40m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NG410632

Maps / GPS

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Take the side road which leaves the A87 near the Uig Hotel - signed for Sheader and Balnaknock. After a few houses the Fairy Glen comes into view ahead as you descend. Take the track on the left - there is room to park on the grass on the right hand side (take care not to block the track). The Fairy Glen was formed by the land being disrupted by a series of landslides (on a smaller scale than the huge landslips that formed the Storr and the Quiraing), with the results then smoothed by subsequent glaciation. The area covered is quite small and the road is always close by, so the exact route followed around the glen doesn't really matter. The route as described visits the most interesting features.

Stage 2

Ascend the bracken ridge ahead, on the left side of the road. Continue along towards the far end of the ridge before descending its left slope on easy grass into a boggy hollow. Skirt the hollow on its left side to keep to dry ground, passing to the left of a perfect cone-shaped hillock. The road is visible to the right; keep left, passing behind more hillocks and following traces of a vehicle track. The valley forks - take the right hand fork as the track goes left. Contour the left slope and then the right slope, before climbing slightly to pass a final cone. A waterfall is visible in the distance.

Stage 3

Keep skirting the left side of the slopes ahead. There's a fence below to the left; keep to the right of the small trees to regain the road at a bend. Turn right along the road, and in fifty metres turn back left by a broken stone wall amongst trees. Keep close to the wall to avoid boggy ground. As the wall bends right, ascend the clear path uphill to the left. Follow the path as it climbs round the back of the rocky tower. Once behind the ridge with the rocky tower, follow the path up steeply onto it. There's a great view down to a loch below.

Stage 4

The rocky tower (known as Castle Ewen) can be climbed by a gap in the rocks - take great care. The summit is surprisingly spacious, with enough flat grass for a picnic. Descend back down to the path behind the ridge. Follow the path down to the right, aiming for the left side of the loch and the road.

Stage 5

Looking back as you descend towards the road, Castle Ewen looks impregnable. Once at the road, turn left to return to the start.

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