Lost in a Fairytale: Exploring Skye's Enchanted Fairy Glen (& Surviving Hiccups!)

The Fairy Glen was a place I knew I wanted to visit even before starting our Scotland trip. I'd stumbled upon it googling 'most magical places in Scotland,' and the fairytale-like pictures instantly sold me! I told Scott, 'We have to go here!' – and so we did.

The drive there was a real mix – incredibly beautiful scenery with its green mountains and blue skies, but also pretty scary in parts! As you might know by now, I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat when it comes to driving on narrow roads high up... definitely not my favourite thing. Luckily, the amazing views were a constant reward, and knowing the Fairy Glen was waiting made it worthwhile.

(Why is Scott so unbothered? I mean, look that little smile...)

We initially thought getting there involved quite a long hike, maybe not Old Man of Storr level (which we did the day before – you can watch that episode here if you missed it!), but still significant. Luckily for us (tired from the day before and not exactly seasoned hikers!), it wasn't much of a trek at all. We practically stumbled right into the Glen, almost missing the entrance entirely!

And there we were, in this truly peculiar Glen! It felt like stepping straight into 'Lord of the Rings' – total Hobbit vibes for me. There was a stone circle people had laid out in the middle, which Scott wasn't overly impressed by ("I could have made this!" he reckoned – and I had to point out that people do make these!). But really, the stone circles aren't the main event; it's the whole bizarre landscape, those dozens of strange, green, cone-shaped hills formed by ancient landslides, that draws you in.

And maybe it's that unusual landscape that sparks the imagination so much? I couldn't help but think of faeries – 'the Good Folk,' as they're often called in Scottish folklore.

While I can't say I spotted any tiny winged beings flitting about, there's undeniably a feeling there... a sense of possibility, a touch of unseen magic. We decided to leave a little offering inside the stone circles – just a little way of paying respects to whatever spirits or energies might reside in such an enchanting spot. It felt like the right thing to do. However, my choice of offering was perhaps questionable: a single blade of grass! Now, before you judge, I swear I read about a ritual like this on a blog post somewhere – something about grabbing grass, walking into the circle, leaving it, making a wish, and walking out backwards with your left hand behind your back... Honestly, I can't quite remember the exact why now, and it’s very possible I messed up the details, but the good intent was there! Hopefully, any potential faeries were graceful enough to appreciate the gesture.

We spent a good few hours exploring this special place, reflecting on how different the feeling was here compared to the epic scale of the Old Man of Storr. (Storr, by the way, was a more spontaneous discovery for us, which maybe added to its impact). But the Fairy Glen definitely had its own unique magic and charm. It truly felt like stepping into a fairytale, and I felt so peaceful and at ease there.

Of course, just as we were feeling fully immersed in the fairytale atmosphere, reality decided to chime in with perhaps the least graceful interruption possible! I was suddenly struck by the LOUDEST, most persistent bout of hiccups – I swear, they were echoing! Maybe the fae were having a little joke at my expense? Maybe they were offended by my lousy grass offering? Who knows. It certainly brought us back down to earth with a bump (or a hic!). You can witness my struggle (and maybe have a giggle) in the video – it was quite something, and apparently, my hiccups sound like a cat throwing up. How about that.

The Fairy Glen was one of our final explorations on the incredible Isle of Skye. Leaving its strange beauty behind, and starting the drive off the island later that day, definitely felt bittersweet. Skye has a way of capturing your heart and sparking the imagination like few other places. But new adventures were calling us towards the mainland and, eventually, the historic streets of Edinburgh...

Watch the Fairy Glen Adventure:

To really get a feel for this unique place, see the otherworldly landscapes, and maybe have a laugh at my rather dramatic hiccups, you can watch the full Episode 4 right here:

Over to You!

Have you ever visited the Fairy Glen or another place that felt completely surreal or like stepping into another world? And the important question: do you think hiccups can be caused by mischievous fairies?! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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Stay enchanted, Hanna ✨🦋