The Fairy Glen, near Uig

TROTTERNISH, PORTREE AND THE BRAES


Summary :	A bizarre and delightful miniature landscape of grassy, cone-shaped hills.
Terrain :	Mostly dry, grassy walking. Paths are faint but the exact route taken when exploring the glen doesn't matter.
Grade :		Distance :	1.5km/0.75 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1 - 2 hours
Start :	Grass verges on the Balnaknock road, just before the fairy glen.	Grid ref :	NG410632
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 408 – Trotternish online	Ascent :	40m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more Open all walks in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	No direct public transport. Nearest bus stop 1.5km at Uig Hotel (Bus 57 or Citylink 916 from Portree). [Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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