June 9th 2023.
Skye's Fairy Pools have been given a much-needed makeover, as the number of tourists visiting the island continues to grow. In recent years, visitor numbers have surged, putting a strain on the area's natural environment and raising concerns for visitor safety.
In response, the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland kickstarted the project with the construction of a car park, large enough to accommodate up to 180,000 visitors per year. With the help of the Skye Iconic Sites Project, they have since improved the pathways on route, airlifted and installed two new steel and timber clad bridges across the burns, and restored the site's most prominent viewpoints.
The area has also undergone major habitat restoration, in order to repair the damaged footpaths and help the site thrive once again. The Fairy Pools are one of three sites on the island that are benefiting from habitat restoration through SISP, with work also taking place at the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr.
"As the Fairy Pools continue to make people's bucket lists, we are seeing visitor numbers doubling with thousands of visitors year on year," said Dougie Baird, CEO of Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland. "We all know that what makes it so popular is the exquisite surroundings of Skye and in order to keep that, we must cherish and maintain the island's natural habitat as much as possible. Through the project, we have been able to install safer, more viable options for those visiting the pools. We urge walkers to stick to these paths to help the area thrive once again and allow future generations to enjoy the magic the Fairy Pools has to offer."
Kirsten Makins, NatureScot's Natural & Cultural Heritage Fund project manager, added: "The completion of works to improve access, interpretation and infrastructure at Skye's Fairy Pools is warmly welcomed. These improvements, which include impressive habitat restoration works, will ensure that another of Skye's iconic sites will be able to offer a quality and sustainable visitor experience."
By investing in the preservation and restoration of the area, visitors will be able to experience the beauty of the Fairy Pools for years to come. With the number of tourists continuing to rise, it is essential that we protect and maintain the delicate environment on Skye, enabling us to continue to enjoy it for generations to come.
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