The Fairy Glen, near Uig

Summary

A bizarre and delightful miniature landscape of grassy, cone-shaped hills, the Fairy Glen (sometimes spelt Faerie Glen) is a fascinating and otherworldly place to visit.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Mostly dry walking on good paths; reaching the top of Castle Ewen requires an awkward scramble step up.

Getting there

Start

There is a dedicated car park for the Fairy Glen (charge) on the left side of the road.

Public Transport

None to start. Nearest bus stop 1.5km at Uig Hotel (Bus 57 or Citylink 916 from Portree). .

Start Grid Ref

NG411632

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 1.5km / 1 miles
Time: 1 hour +
Ascent: 45m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (15)

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. There is a pay-and-display car park on the left. Take the obvious path from the car park that slopes uphill from a parking meter. It soon reveals a striking view of a unique landscape; 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.

Stage 2

Stay on the good path that descends and passes between some of the striking grassy conical hills. The path leads past a small lochan and then emerges on the road. Go straight across and follow the path as it bends left, running parallel to the road briefly, and then diverging around the opposite side of a lochan. Soon the sharp park of Castle Ewen is seen - the path climbs to the right of this.

Stage 3

The path emerges at a grassy hollow next to Castle Ewen. From here you can make a detour to the summit of this rocky tower if you wish - a steep path leads up onto the ridge. Head left along the narrow ridge and then up a final scramble up a rocky step in a gap in the summit tower - great care is needed.

Stage 4

The summit is surprisingly spacious, with enough flat grass for a picnic.

Stage 5

Retrace your steps to return to the grassy hollow below the ridge. A great deal of work has taken place here to clear away the stone stacks made by visitors which were causing damage to the grazing land - please leave any stones as you find them. Now take the path that heads through the gap to the right of the Castle Ewen ridge. This soon descends to meet the minor road.

Stage 6

Once back at the road, turn left to head back to the start along it. Castle Ewen looks impressive across a small loch.

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