3 Magical Places To Visit In Bonnie Scotland
Scotland is well known for its Scotch whisky and striking landscapes, but there is a bit of magic here too. Here we visit a fairy glen, a quaint fairy trail and remarkably turquoise fairy pools.
Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye
Hidden away on the Isle of Skye, Fairy Glen is one of the island’s most magical attractions. Visitors head into this off-the-beaten-path spot, standing in the middle of farmlands. Fairy Glen features natural rock formations, pretty waterfalls, ponds and cone-shaped hills. These formations are only found in this one small area of the countryside.
Image Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye by Vanessa Engel on Flickr
While there is little in the way of folklore relating to Fairy Glen, some locals believe fairies were responsible for this dramatic landscape. They believe the fairies may still be hidden here in the crevices and cracks in the rock. Boring scientists, however, say these unique geological formations were actually caused by a landslip.
On a sunny day, the natural colors here stand out, making Fairy Glen the perfect place for photographers to capture the magical landscapes. These, regrettably include manmade rock formations in the way of fairy circles for Instagram images, which upset the locals.
2. Balloch Park Fairy Trail, West Dunbartonshire
This magical location is manmade, but that doesn’t take away from the whimsical, magical nature of the fairy trail. Balloch Park Fairy Trail lies close to Loch Lomond in the lowlands of Central Scotland and is also one of the attractions to see while visiting the Scottish Highlands.
Image Balloch Park Fairy Trail by Lairich Rig on Geograph
A number of diseased trees in the forest had to be cut down, leaving unsightly stumps. A local tree surgeon had the idea to use a chainsaw to carve the stumps into fairy houses and other whimsical and magical shapes, including a magnificent dragon.
As the carvings are dotted throughout the area, it makes for an adventurous stroll through the park to hunt them down. While many are easily spotted from the path leading to a castle, others take a bit more exploration to find. Even better, while you may have managed to spot every carving, new ones are added at any time, making it worthwhile to visit over and over again. While searching for the carvings, visitors can also enjoy the mountain views, the castle and the beauty of Loch Lomond.
3. Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
Returning to the Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools seem like something taken from Scottish myths and legends. This part of Scotland features plenty of Celtic legends and myths, which speak of magical beings, living in the waters and under the hills. What makes the Fairy Pools truly magical is the remarkable turquoise blue color of the water.
Located below the Cuillin Mountains, the Fairy Pools are only accessible via a hike through Glen Brittle forest, where a series of waterfalls fill the pools. When the sun is shining, the clear waters turn a beautiful turquoise, while the pools make some of the best (if chilly) swimming holes anywhere in the world.
While there is no myth or legend relating to the Fairy Pools, their appearance makes them look like something out of a J.R.R. Tolkien story.
Take a magical vacation in Bonnie Scotland this year, visiting some of the most beautiful locations in Great Britain and the world.
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