Fantasy, myth, legend, truth – all are intertwined in the story that is Scotland.’
― Laurence Overmire
Scotlands Fairy Hot Spots
Scotland’s story and landscape are rich with legends, folklore, and magical beings like fairies, the Loch Ness Monster, all the way through to the likes of the Selkies and Cat Sith. This is one of the many reasons why Scotland is such a beloved place for locals, newcomers, and visitors alike.
In this blog post, whether you’re a resident unaware of these tales or planning a faerie-hunting adventure, I highlight a few of the best spots to encounter these whimsical creatures. While listing all locations is impractical, as there are simply too many, as any place with names resembling Sith/ Shee is likely connected to The Good Folk, and you can easily locate them on a map or app.
For those eager to explore and check off faerie encounters on their next visit, I’ll delve into the Top 10 places to find these enchanting creatures. So, let us begin our journey and discover where we can encounter The Fair Folk.
Glenshee
Glenshee – Glen of the Faeries Tshirt
Glenshee means the Glen of the Fairies, derived from the Gaelic word síth, which means “fairies.” The people who lived there were once referred to as Sithichean a’ Ghlinnshith, or “The Elves of Glenshee. This is where history and legend converge, as Glenshee gets a mention in well-known legends like that of Dermid & Grainne, who died here in Glenshee after his run-in with a Boar and who is rumoured to be buried here alongside his beloved Grainne. There is also a Standing stone dating back to the Bronze Age, Dun Shith (Hill of the Fairies) is the name of Glen’s ancient meeting place, which still stands today and can be found just behind the kirk.
Rosemarkie Fairy Glen
This otherworldly location is said to be a fairy hotspot and is made up of waterfalls and ponds set amongst enchanting woodland trails. The fairies look after the glen, and a well-dressing ritual was once held here to say thank you. There are still a few clootie and wishing trees here as a result and you are sure to come across them along the trail. According to Rory Duff’s work, a high-frequency energy node is also located here. Who knows if it’s a high frequency because of The Good Folk, or if The Fair Folk have moved here due to the high-frequency earth energies.
Slains Castle, Aberdeen
Sadly, not all fairies are as sweet as the Victorian era painted them to be, and many more folktales are full of warnings or can be outright frightening. For those that dare, Slains Castle is the home to the not-so-friendly Baobhan-Sìth, who are also known to haunt isolated glens and moors. These blood-sucking fairy women prey on local fishermen and weary travellers whom they captivate by luring them with song and dance. This castle is also said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, as he spent time in and was very fond of the area. You can’t help but wonder if he ran into the Baobhan-Sìth himself or was simply inspired by local tales about them. If you do visit, be sure to bring some iron, and a fair amount of courage should be brave enough to visit during the evening hours.
Slains Castle Aberdeen
Eilidon Hills & Rhymer’s Glen
Nicneven Queen of Elfame Sweatshirt
The Eilidon Hills is where the famous story of Thomas the Rhymer, which is set in the 13th century. It is told that one day, while he was sitting beneath the Eildon Tree close to Melrose, the Queen of Elfland rode up to him and whisked him into the hollows of the Eildon Hills’ fairy otherworld. After seven years of staying, Thomas asked to kiss the queen before leaving, who bestowed upon him the gift of prophecy and the incapacity to lie, thereby earning him the moniker “True Thomas”. According to legend, he was able to see into the future and predicted several major events in Scottish history. Many claim that Thomas returned to Elfland years later and is currently still residing beneath the Fairy Hill.
Tomnahurich (Hill of the Yews), Inverness
This rather legendary and prominent mound is about a 30-minute walk from the centre of Inverness. Today it’s a graveyard, yet has always been seen as a fairy knowe, it was probably converted as historically it was believed that the souls of the dead spent time in the fairy realm before passing on. There is a typical Faerie folktale based around Tomnahurich, where two fiddlers were lured to play one night at a fairy feast held within the knowe. When they left the knowe the following morning and headed into Inverness they were devastated to find that a few hundred years had passed. It’s a great walk to the top and the views over the surrounding area are as magical as the stories of the famous knowe.
Schiehallion (Fairy Hill of the Caledonians)
According to legend, Schiehallion used to be a popular vacation spot for fairies, especially during the annual gatherings that brought together all the different fairy tribes from the surrounding area. The stunning Queen Mab would host this yearly revelry. As there are a large number of mysterious caverns under the mountain from one side to the other if you don’t hear and see any faerie festivities it may be due to the fact they are held underground.
Schiehallion (Fairy Hill of the Caledonians – local Celtic Triibe)
Fairy Pools in Skye
Once upon a time, before the interest and excessive tourism, this was a faerie hot spot where faerie folk spent many summer holidays. These water pools and waterfalls are tucked away off the road and are an enchanting spot to visit, especially after hours when there are fewer tourists, and when are more likely to spot one of the last remaining Good Folk of the area.
Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye
The Fairy Flag, which is kept and can be visited and seen in Dunvegan Castle is a treasured heirloom of the MacLeod Clan. Legend has it, that a Clan MacLeod Chief married a fairy, but after twenty years she was forced to leave him and return to Elfland. Before leaving, she gifted him this magical flag, that is said to be able to save the clan from any peril and hardship, however, it may only be waved no more than three times, and has already been successfully used twice.
Dufftown, Fairy Village
Dufftown Fairy Village
While perhaps not in the Top 1o of all Scotland, it still makes my list as this lovely Faerie village was created by a local and is in my local area, and therefore a spot I visit regularly. The Giants Chair walk is stunning any time of the year as it weaves along the river. You’ll find the village tucked away on the left of the path after the Giant’s Chair. It’s a magically uncanny place to visit for adults and kids alike, there are also chairs and tables there, making it a great spot for a picnic.
Visiting Otherworldly Faerie Realms
While visiting these spots, should you run into any Fairy Folk remember that they don’t like to be called Fairies but prefer ‘The Good/ Fair Folk’. They are also not overly fond of Rowan branches, Iron or Salt (things you’ll only want at hand if visiting darker places like Slains Castle), so be sure to respect their wishes and presence, as most folk here and in Ireland know, it’s best to avoid provoking their wrath where possible. As per all travel, show respect (locals are always taking down stone sculptures tourists build at the Fairy Pools, as it’s best not to offend the Good Folk in any way – best for visitors to perhaps not build them in the first place), always best to leave everything as you find it.
There are endless enchantingly magical spots to visit in Scotland and this is but a small selection, wherever you do end up going while here in Alba you can be assured that you’ll have a truly otherworldly adventure.
Information can be hard to find on Faerie and otherworldly places in Scotland, if you’d like to research or prepare for your trip, I highly recommend these books, and the app that I use to find both Faerie spots, Sacred Sites and Stone Circles.
App/ websites:
Megaliths Pocket Guide in Apple store
Books:
Magical Britain, 650 Enchanted Mystical Sites
The Lore of Scotland: A Guide to Scottish Legends (organised by location)
Photo Slains Castle:
Photo by martin bennie on Unsplash
