Fairy Pools facts for kids

The Fairy Pools (which means Glumagan nan Sithichean in Scottish Gaelic) are a group of beautiful natural pools and waterfalls. You can find them in Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. These pools are nestled in a valley called Coire na Creiche, which means "corrie of the spoils." They are fed by a stream called Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh, or "burn of the corrie of the wolf/dog," right at the base of the mighty Cuillin mountains. The water in these pools is a stunning bright blue, and they are a popular spot for brave swimmers who don't mind the very cold mountain water!

The highest of the Fairy Pools, showing its clear blue water.

What Animals Live Here?

The area around the Fairy Pools is home to many different animals. You might spot red deer, rabbits, and sheep roaming around. There are also lots of birds! Big groups of crows, ravens, and gulls fly overhead. Smaller birds like meadow pipits, turnstones, and common ringed plovers also live here. You might even see a grey heron, dunlin, or curlew. The land is mostly rocky, but there are some wet, boggy spots too. The water is always cold because it comes straight from the mountain streams.

Why Are the Fairy Pools So Popular?

Not long ago, the Fairy Pools were a hidden gem, hardly known to tourists. But their popularity has grown a lot! In 2006, about 13,000 people visited. By 2015, that number jumped to 82,000, and by 2019, it was over 180,000 visitors! It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the Fairy Pools from the Glen Brittle car park. The first time anyone called them 'the Fairy Pools' in a guide book was in the 1930s. Interestingly, there are no old stories or legends that connect the pools directly to fairies.

The Purple Plant Hoax

In 2013, a funny story spread online saying that the Fairy Pools had suddenly grown bright purple plants. People shared pictures of these amazing purple plants everywhere! However, it turned out to be a hoax. The pictures were actually of the Shotover River in New Zealand, not the Fairy Pools in Scotland. It just goes to show that not everything you see online is true!