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Ross and Cromarty

Fairy Glen, Rosemarkie

A steep, wooded glen above Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, an RSPB reserve, where a path follows the burn to two waterfalls tumbling into pools.

Welcome

Just outside Rosemarkie, where the road climbs away towards Cromarty, a narrow, steep-sided glen runs back into the hill.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

It is filled with old broadleaf woodland, and down its floor a burn chatters over moss-covered rocks. This is the Fairy Glen, now a small RSPB reserve.

A path winds up the glen from the car park, crossing and recrossing the water, for about two kilometres. At its head are two waterfalls, each falling in a white veil into a dark pool; stay a while and listen. Watch for grey herons along the stream and buzzards overhead.

The name is old. The glen was once the scene of a well-dressing, when the children of the village decorated a pool beside a spring with flowers, so the fairies would keep the water clean. The path is steep and slippery in places, so wear good shoes, and come back the way you went.

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Before you go

The reserve is open at all times and free.

The path from the car park at the edge of Rosemarkie to the waterfalls is about two kilometres, steep and slippery in places, with steps. Come back the same way rather than along the busy road.

Where
The edge of Rosemarkie, on the road to Cromarty.
The path
About 2km each way, with steps.
Parking
Ten spaces by the reserve.

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Did you know

A waterfall drops over mossy rock into a pool in an autumn woodland in Ross and Cromarty.
Did you know

Flowers for the fairies.

The village children once decorated a pool in the glen with flowers, so the fairies would keep the water clean.

A woodland path winds through golden autumn trees in Ross and Cromarty.
Did you know

Two falls.

The path ends at two waterfalls, each falling into a dark pool.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Ross and Cromarty

Just outside Rosemarkie, a steep wooded glen runs back into the hill, and a burn tumbles down it over mossy rocks. This is the Fairy Glen, a small RSPB reserve, and a path follows the water up through old broadleaf woods for about two kilometres. At the top are two waterfalls, each falling in a white veil into a dark pool. Look out for herons by the stream and buzzards overhead. The village children once dressed a pool here with flowers, so the fairies would keep its water clean. Wear good shoes, as the path is steep and slippery in places.

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Where it is

At the edge of Rosemarkie on the A832 towards Cromarty, with a small car park by the reserve.

Close byRosemarkie.
  1. Walkers and a dog stroll along a wide sandy beach under clear skiesBeach at RosemarkieThe sands at the foot of the village.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Groam House MuseumGroam House MuseumPictish stones on the High Street.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. RosemarkieRosemarkieUnder a mile 1 min by road
  4. The Highland Mobile Sauna, a wooden barrel sauna on a trailer with its chimney, on the grass above Rosemarkie beach.Highland Mobile SaunaA wood-fired barrel sauna parked above Rosemarkie beach for public and private sessions, and a mobile sauna for hire across the Highlands.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. The Rosemarkie Beach Cafe, a small blue timber cafe with its name over the door and tables outside.Rosemarkie Beach CaféA friendly community cafe on the beach at Rosemarkie, serving sandwiches on soft fresh bread, soup and home-made cakes every day.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Chanonry PointChanonry PointDolphins off the point.2 miles 7 min by road
Directions
A stone building strung with fairy lights and greenery houses Crofters, its anchor sign beside a picnic table in Ross and Cromarty.RestaurantsCrofters Café, Rosemarkie0.3 miles
Glass bakery display with tarts, brownies and pastries on labelled shelvesCafeBakhoos Bakery1.0 miles
The whisky bar at The Anderson in Fortrose, a barman pulling a pint before floor-to-ceiling shelves of bottles.BarsThe Anderson1.1 miles
ShoppingHarbour Lane, Fortrose1.1 miles
Fortrose Cathedral's red sandstone arches and clock tower in its green square under a blue sky.AttractionsFortrose Cathedral1.2 miles
Teal banquettes and wooden tables at IV10 under glass pendant lamps and a model sailing ship.CafeIV10 Café Bar Deli1.2 miles
Grassy harbour wall overlooking small boats and white houses along the shoreAttractionsFortrose Harbour1.5 miles
White lighthouse with black lantern room overlooking the Moray FirthAttractionsChanonry Lighthouse1.9 miles
A bottlenose dolphin surfacing in the grey water of the Moray Firth beside a Dolphin Trips Avoch boat.ToursDolphin Trips Avoch2.8 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the glen, and when each is next free.

A long sandstone steading with a conical-roofed tower at its centre stands beyond a field of young crops, trees framing it on either side in evening light.Newhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 5 miles from the Fairy Glen
Check datesA curved cabin clad in overlapping wooden shingles stands on gravel among wildflowers, arched windows and a door along one side.Boath Cabin
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Nairn
  • 11 miles from the Fairy Glen
Free 14–17 NovCulbin Edge, Inverness-shireCulbin Edge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Brodie
  • 15 miles from the Fairy Glen
Free 23–25 NovA white harled cottage with a slated roof and gabled porch sits behind a garden of wildflowers, a table and chairs on the patio.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Dores
  • 15 miles from the Fairy Glen
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Ross and CromartyAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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The collections it is in and more in Ross and Cromarty.

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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .