Circular Sligachan loop to the Fairy Pools and back

It’s a wonderful adventure, but it’s a one-way trip! You’ll need to either have a car waiting for you at the end point, book accommodation there (which can be tricky), carry your sleeping gear with you on the hike, find a place to camp near Elgol, and plan a route back to Sligachan. There are two interesting options for returning on foot: take the boat to Coruisk and return to Sligachan by skirting the magnificent Loch Coruisk to the left (the longer route) or to the right (involving two wide fords across the River Scavaig); or head along the east coast via Glasnakille, Drinan and Kilmarie, where it is possible to reach Camasunary.

A short walk around the Fairy Pools, so you can see them from close up, followed by a tranquil walk in the valley, away from the crowds.

A superb walk to the Fairy Pools, where you can admire multiple pools of turquoise-coloured water. The first part of the route is well-maintained, but then becomes very natural with a stony path, which may discourage those with little experience of mountain terrain.

Situated at the foot of the highest peaks on the Isle of Skye, Glen Brittle and its loch offer a unique hike to the ‘end of the world’.At Rudh an Dùnain, there is an ancient chapel in ruins; further on, an inland loch (Loch na h-Àirde) is strangely connected to the ocean by a so-called ‘Viking’ channel, which allows the high tides to pour in salt water, as well as a wall of what must once have been a fortress.A massive defensive wall still encloses the south-western section.And then, in season, the Càrn Mòr plateau is covered in flowering heather: quite simply magnificent.Another natural feature here is a huge stone staircase set right in the middle of the moor, allowing you to climb the slope.Soak up the colours, the light and the scents of this place, where sheep are, here too, the main inhabitants.As is the case throughout the region: spongy ground, peat, waterfalls, fords… water is ever-present here and is never shy about falling from the sky at any moment.

A superb walk in the Cuillins, with breathtaking views of the sea and a charming little Loch at the end. The only challenging part is the end of the climb, where you need to climb up some scree for the last 300 metres.

This is an ascent of the South ridge of Bla Bhienn starting from and returning to Elgol. It includes the cliff top walk to Camasunary Bay, followed by the ridge. The views are spectacular and the ridge is one of the most memorable mountain days to be had.

A very nice hike along the water and mountains in the Cuillin.

A very short, easy walk to do late afternoon (when most walkers have come back down off the mountain) so you can enjoy the silence and evening light.