Glenbrittle, Skye

Glenbrittle

Glenbrittle is a remote, scattered community on the western slope of the Black Cuillin range, in the valley of the River Brittle. It is a very popular centre for walkers, with several well-used trails leading into the Cuillins and beyond.

Let's clear up a common source of confusion. The village of Glenbrittle (one word) lies within the valley of Glen Brittle (two words). Got it?

The name probably derives from the Old Norse Bred Dal, for a broad river. The Gaelic 'gleann' for a glen was later added as a prefix.

The River Brittle flows down from the slopes of Bruach na Frithe before turning south and running down the low-lying land on the valley floor to empty into Loch Brittle. The river estuary forms a lovely sandy beach with views south over the loch.

Just above the beach is the Glenbrittle Campsite, which boasts a cafe that offers welcome refreshment to tired walkers after a day in the hills. There is a public toilet block next to the campsite.

The Glenbrittle Campsite was founded in 1961 and has been voted the Number 1 campsite in Britain by the Daily Telegraph. It offers 120 campsites in an unforgettable setting between the Black Cuillins and the beach.

On the beach, look for a waterfall known as 'The Demon Shower', where Allt na Buaile Duibhe empties into Loch Brittle.

There is a large parking area at the campground, which acts as the starting point for the Coire Lagan circuit. There are no other visitor facilities in the glen.

Loch Brittle

Glenbrittle House

A few hundred yards from the beach is Glenbrittle House, a late 18th-century house with a 19th-century addition. The section of the house facing the road has been called 'a traditional tacksman's house'. This is joined to a Georgian farmhouse with an adjoining walled garden.

Glen Brittle Memorial Hut

Just north of Glenbrittle House is the Glen Brittle Memorial Hut, built in 1965 by the British Mountaineering Council and the Association of Scottish Climbing Clubs and dedicated to 'Those who found strength in the hills to sustain them even unto death.'

The hut offers basic accommodation for up to 20 climbers and is open throughout the year to affiliated climbing clubs and their individual members. The hut is perfectly situated for easy access to several popular climbing trails including paths that lead to Sgurr Dearg and the Inaccessible Pinnacle, known as Britain's most difficult climb.

Eas Mor

Eas Mor

If you fancy a less terrifying walk, an easy path from the hut leads to one of Skye's most dramatic waterfalls, Eas Mor, where the water tumbles straight down a cliff to the rocks far below.

Coire Lagan Circular Walk

Many visitors combine a visit to Eas Mor with a longer circular walk to Coire Lagan, a remote mountain loch set in a bowl of hills. The walk to Coire Lagan starts near the campsite parking lot at the southern end of the glen.

The Fairy Pools

The Fairy Pools

One of Skye's most popular natural attractions is the Fairy Pools, reached by a footpath from a car park at the northern end of Glen Brittle. The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal clear pools and waterfalls on Allt Coir a Mhadaidh, a tributary of the River Brittle. This is a popular spot for wild swimming, but be aware that the water can be extremely cold!

Between the Fairy Pools and Glenbrittle House is the Glenbrittle Youth Hostel, a member of the Hostelling Scotland. This is one of the most popular hostels on Skye and offers basic hostel accommodation as well as self-catering kitchen facilities and continental-style breakfasts.

Walkers heading out from Glenbrittle Campsite

Getting There

Glenbrittle is reached by a single-track road from Carbost, off the B8009. There are official parking areas at the Fairy Pools and the campsite, and an unofficial car parks off the verge at the Mountain Hut.