Fairy Glen

Fairy Glen is a tranquil wooded gorge tucked behind the village of Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, north of Inverness. Managed as a nature reserve, the glen follows the Markie Burn as it tumbles through mossy oak, birch and hazel woodland towards the Moray Firth. A well-maintained path leads from the edge of the village into the heart of the reserve, climbing gently alongside the stream.

The highlight is a pair of waterfalls deeper in the glen, where the burn drops over sandstone ledges into clear pools. Ferns, wood sorrel and lichens cling to the rocks, and the wood is rich in birdsong, with dipper and grey wagtail often seen along the water. Local folklore gives the glen its name, with traditions of fairies and water spirits long associated with the falls.

The walk to the upper falls and back takes around an hour at an easy pace, with some uneven ground and steps. It pairs well with a stop in Rosemarkie itself, the nearby Groam House Museum of Pictish carvings, and a stroll along the beach where bottlenose dolphins are regularly spotted in the firth.