Fairy Pools Skye (with Kids)
Fairy Pools Skye – Simply driving around Skye was stunning, but walking to the Fairy Pools was on our bucket-list. Overall we found a mix of budget and luxurious treats for the family, so this is what worked for us.
Fairy Pools Skye with Kids
Skye is renowned for its mountains, hikes, hills and treks. We’re a pretty average family in the sense that we like a walk in the great outdoors, but we don’t want to push ourselves to reach the next snow-topped summit with a baby strapped to our back. If you’re looking for a nail-biting endurance hike, I am not the person to provide that, but if our family can reach the Fairy Pools, then probably yours can too.
The Fairy Pools are one of Skye’s most natural beauties. A series of waterfalls wonderfully appearing in the middle of nowhere. Despite the remote location, you’re rarely alone as this is a popular and gentle walking route. It undulates, rather than kids facing a steep uphill slog.
Practical Tips – Fairy Pools Skye
Parking is busy, and works on a donation system. We left our three year old’s buggy behind as it’s not suitable for the terrain. He wasn’t the youngest tourist, as we spotted young babies in carriers. Pack snacks, pack wipes and nappy bags for the kids (as there are no toilet facilities) and dress for the weather. We wore head-to-toe waterproofs and walking-boots/wellies. Skye is exposed, and we could see the weather fronts coming in before they hit us. The rain would be upon us, then it would swiftly pass for the sun to beat down.
For a photography guide to Skye click here.
The walk was fantastic – lots of little streams and rivers to cross. Stone bridges to leap across, pools to stare into, all surrounded by raw unspoiled countryside. Our four year old loved it. Our three year old clambered on daddy’s shoulders for a significant chunk of the walk, admittedly he was too young to achieve it alone but, as a team, we got there. The walk took around three hours, and it was a pleasure. FREE + DONATION FOR CAR PARK
Beachlife
Seek out a decent beach if you get decent weather. We spent an hour throwing stones in the water at Sconser, waiting for the ferry to Raasay. But for a more picturesque beach, we stopped at Glen Brittle on the west of the island. It has a cool coffee shop, Cuillin Coffee, for light refreshments. Cuillin Coffee doesn’t serve hot meals but think freshly baked bread, croissants, cakes, snacks, Teapigs and hot chocolate. FREE + OPTIONAL COFFEE.
Set Sail
If you wish to combine a foodie experience, a few glasses of vino, and a boat trip, head to Portree to catch the Seaflower. This luxury catamaran will transport you (and your youngsters) for a few hours on the water, visiting the island of Rona or Raasay. It’s also a great way to see a bit more of Skye and other islands from a new perspective.
When we dropped anchor the white wine was opened, bowls of Cullen Skink were dished out, followed by a generous platter of langoustines and lobster. Kids are offered more child friendly dishes, such as tomato soup or ham/cheese sandwiches, but sadly my two quite like seafood so I had to share it.
The kids loved being on the water, spotting wildlife, ruins and castles, and the catamaran is powerful, making for a smooth journey. Find out more about sailings and prices here. This excursion isn’t cheap but it was a real highlight, including an excellent lunch as part of the package.
Visit the Neigbours!
The neighbouring island of Raasay is just minutes away, and makes an excellent island hop from Skye. Discover what you can get up to here.
Portree
Every island needs a capital, and Portree is where the locals go for a supermarket shop, the opticians, the chemist etc. It’s an essential hub. To me it’s a working Scottish town, and I was bemused to see so many international tourists wandering past the Co-op and the local pharmacy, I couldn’t quite understand the attraction. If you do wish to visit Portree, the colourful harbour is the main draw, perhaps pick up some fish and chips, sit on the harbour walls and stare out to sea. That, undoubtedly, is a lovely spot. FREE + optional fish n chips.
Soft Play
If the weather isn’t doing you any favours, and you’re losing your mind with the kids, then consider visiting Jurassic Land at the Aros Centre. Three-storeys of soft play, people! We grabbed a bite there, it’s very casual dining, nachos, soup and a sandwich type grub. There’s also a gift shop, and the centre hosts performances and events as a creative space. Info about and prices for Jurassic Land can be found here.
Sligachan Playground & Never-Ending Youth
Sligachan Hotel has a playground set in the most outstanding scenery. The Cuillin range is on its doorstep. Kids can go mad on the flying fox, as parents grab a coffee in Seumas’ Bar or take a pew in the beer garden and take in the views. Tip – Bring wellies as the cork chips on the ground can be damp.
The playground is also next to the iconic Sligachan bridge, a popular photogenic spot, and a gateway into the hills. It’s said that if you wash your face in the river you’ll stay looking young forever, but I didn’t chance it. I don’t want the boys looking 3 & 4 forever – weird! FREE + coffee
Sligachan Hotel
We stayed at the refurbished Sligachan Hotel. The new owners have really modernised this old drovers inn, a hotel that’s a core part of Skye’s climbing history. It even contains a wee climbing museum highlighting the great climbers who put Skye on the map.
Seumas’ Bar is a cool aprés-hike hang out, which means you can wear what you want, you can bring your dog, bring your kids, have a meal, have a dram, hear some tunes. Be a parent, but still be cool. Kind of…
There’s also a more traditional restaurant, with relatively healthy kids food on the menu, such as mushroom soup and beans on toast.
We stayed in the Pinnacle Suite, which meant that we essentially had our own self-contained bedroom, with television, separate to the boys, who occupied the living room. Once the kids were finally asleep we could hang out without disturbing the cherubs. It’s a beautiful room.
The hotel also offers camping, self-catering and will whip you up a packed lunch if you preorder. For hotel prices and booking check here.
Our Story – Fairy Pools Skye
We drove from Aberdeen to Skye and caught the ferry to Raasay in one day. Two night were spent on Raasay, before returning to Skye to explore and overnight. The Fairy Pools and the Seaflower trip were definite highlights. Skye has more to offer, such as castles and crafts, but we’ve reviewed what we experienced, a great balance of free activities in the great outdoors and luxury treats.
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I’m visiting Skye in 2 weeks and going to Portree- so excited! Great tips, thank you!
It’s quite a vast island, hope you get time to explore the island as thoroughly as possible. Enjoy.
Oo I’ve never thought to visit Skye before, but it looks stunning! The hotel also looks so luxurious and the perfect base 🙂
This was my fourth trip but my first experience of the Fairy Pools. It was a great contrast, walking through the wilds of Scotland then checking into a stylish hotel!
We love adventures and I must admit I’ve never even heard of Skye before!! But it looks the perfect place 🙂
It’s famous here for its beauty, its mountain range, the Skye Boat Song, and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape 🙂
What a beautiful place to visit, somewhere I’ve never been!
It’s one of those places that’s small yet big at the same time, a small island, yet vast mountain ranges that leave you breathless.
I’m always looking for new ideas for things to do on Skye and the catamaran trip sounds superb! I’ve also still to visit Raasay so I now have 2 new ideas for my next visit 🙂
Combine all three – Skye and the catamaran trip that will drop you off on Raasay for a few hours exploration, perhaps a distillery visit or a hike.
I love that hotel! It looks more like an apartment! I’ve been to Skye a couple of times (both times before the bridge) – my children have never been though, so I’ll add it to our list!
It’s newly refurbished, so really fresh and modern.
What a beautiful island. I love the look of the hotel too!
Wild yet stylish, a great mix on any island.
I’ve never been to Skye but it sounds wonderful. Scotland is somewhere we’d love to explore and Skye is top of that list!
Skye is hugely popular, easy to reach via the bridge, yet retaining the wild, remote vibe.
It looks like a gorgeous island, I would love to visit the Fairy Pools…..hopefully we will get back to scotland soon
Even if you just drive around, the views are outstanding.
It’s amazing that you take your kids to all these beautiful places – I know way too many Scots who have never been to Skye… they miss out on so much adventure and fun! I’ll share this article with parenting friends who are visiting Scotland for sure!
Thanks so much, sharing the material with parents is hugely appreciated, and I hope they find it beneficial. Often activities with kids appear so daunting – you need to consider clothing, toilet stops, snacks, tantrums, but the Fairy Pools (for example) were genuinely achievable with just a little forethought, and the Seaflower boat trip was simply a delight.
Enjoy your winter trip to Skye.
I love Skye but it’s been years since I went! This makes me really want to plan a trip back soon 😀