Fairy Pools Round.

Start. Fairy Pools car park.

Route. Fairy Pools car park - Fairy Pools ( Allt Coir a' Mhadaidh) - Coire na Creiche - Cairn - Bealach a' Mhaim - Allt a' Mhaim - Allt an Fhamhair - Fairy Pools car park.

Notes. The Fairy Pools set in a spectacular Highlands vista, in 1601 it was not so, the area was the scene of the last of Scotland’s clan battles, one of the bloodiest ever recorded in clan history. It is here the MacDonalds of Sleat and the MacLeods of Dunvegan saw the end of the long and brutal campaign of the Wars of the One-Eyed Woman. Over four hundred years later it is again not so quiet, the wonders of the Fairy Pools attract visitors from all over the world. Since our last visit in 2012 things have changed, large car parks have sprung up, a gravel path now guides visitors up the burn, the place has lost it charm, so sad.

We parked and paid then followed the rest of the visitors over the gravel path, passed sun worshippers and picnickers we walked, passed wild swimmers (once the only people to visit the pools) and paddlers. As we gently ascended Coire na Creich the crowds started to thin out, by the time we reached a large cairn in the shadow of Bruach na Frithe and Sgurr an Fheadain we were on our own.

Rather than wander back the way we came we opted to follow a green trod north, this was the lower of two paths cutting across the flanks of the north ridge of Bruach na Frithe, it was very wet in places, I guess the higher path would have been dryer. But when you were able to take your eye from the toe of the boot and the path in front the views down Glen Brittle were stunning.

The path terminated near Bealach a’ Mhaim a coll which carries the path to Sligachan, we turned left to descend said path back to the car park, after what we'd just traversed a pleasant descent it was.

view route map.

home.

The view from the car park, cloud shadows on the face of Bruach na Frithe with Sgurr an Fheadain to the right backed by Bidein Druim nan Ramh.

One of many cascades and deep pools in the Allt Coir a' Mhadaidh (burn).

Joining the crowds on the snake like path winding above the banks of the Fairy Pools.

Seen over Glen Brittle, Beinn a' Bhraghad with Beinn Staic to the left.

Viewing Coire a Mhadaidh with the cliffs of Bruach na Frithe rising behind.

This pool is known as the Arch, it's the reason most wild swimmers come to the Fairy Pools.

Slowly ascending Coire na Creiche enjoying views over Allt Coir a Mhadeidh to the Black Cuillin.

One of many cataracts on this delightful burn.

Classic shot of Sgurr an Fheadain and Waterpipe Gully.

Views up Coire a' Tairneilear.

We've left the crowds behind, there's just us a boggy path and stunning views.

Views down Glen Brittle.

A few hundred yards from the main trod and all the people, almost back but first we have to cross this, Allt an Fhamhair.

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