Located on the Isle of Skye's Trotternish Peninsula, this coastal village has a sheltered harbor with ferries to the Outer Hebrides, the mystical Fairy Glen, and a two-tiered waterfall.
Uig sits at the head of a sheltered bay on the Isle of Skye’s Trotternish Peninsula, where forested slopes lead down to a harbor with regular ferries to the Outer Hebrides. This village connects travelers to Harris and North Uist but also holds its own reasons to stay. Walk through the Fairy Glen’s miniature valleys formed by ancient landslides, climb the circular stone tower known as Captain Fraser’s Folly for bay views, or trace the River Rha to its two-tiered waterfall. Stone structures like Uig Tower tell stories of families displaced during the Highland Clearances, while modern-day workshops produce ale and pottery. Whether you’re catching a ferry or hiking Skye’s northern trails, Uig delivers raw coastal scenery and unpretentious island living.
The Fairy Glen and Rha Waterfall
Start your visit with a 20-minute walk from Uig’s center to the Fairy Glen. Moss blankets rolling hills here, surrounding a central basalt column called Castle Ewen. Sheep graze near small ponds as gnarled hawthorn trees twist upward – some say these woods inspired local fairy tales. Head northeast along the River Rha to find its waterfall plunging into a ravine lined with birch trees. From Uig Community Hall, follow the Shore Wood trail markers to reach viewpoints where you might spot white-tailed eagles soaring above the cascades.
Captain Fraser’s Folly and Uig’s Clearance History
The circular stone tower on the hill south of Uig harbor was built by William Fraser in the 1800s. He forced families off their land during the Highland Clearances to make way for sheep pastures, and this tower once marked where tenants paid rent. Though on private property today, you can see it clearly from the Portree road. Near the bay, Uig Tower’s stark walls further illustrate this harsh period. Drive 15 minutes north to Kilmuir’s Museum of Island Life to step inside preserved crofters’ cottages and handle farming tools from the era.
Ferries and Local Services in Uig
Uig’s harbor comes alive when the MV Hebrides ferry departs for Tarbert and Lochmaddy each morning and afternoon. Watch crews load lobsters and langoustines onto trucks headed for Spain and France, or explore the pebble beach when tides recede. The Ferry Inn serves fish pies and Cullen skink soup beside windows overlooking the docks. At the family-run Skye Brewery near the pier, try their malty Red Cuillin ale. For souvenirs, Uig Pottery sells mugs and bowls made in their studio beneath a salvaged yacht sign. The village also has a grocery store, gas station, and campground with basic facilities.
Hiking Trails and Coastal Exploration
Uig gives direct access to some of Skye’s best walks. Drive 20 minutes north to hike the Quiraing’s 4-mile loop past jagged rock formations and cliffs that look like frozen waves. South toward Portree, the Old Man of Storr trail climbs through heather to a 160-foot stone spike. For shorter walks, follow the River Conon upstream from Uig through oak and pine woods to shallow waterfalls. Ten minutes east by car, the Bornesketaig coast path leads to sea caves framed by geometric basalt columns that glow amber at sunset.
Getting to Uig and Visitor Tips
Reach Uig via the A87 road from Portree in about 25 minutes, or take the #57 or #57A bus from Skye’s main town. Park near the community hall or ferry terminal, both free for day visitors. While Uig has no airport, Stornoway on Lewis is reachable by a 2-hour ferry. Stay at the whitewashed Uig Hotel for classic rooms with bay views, or book a hostel bed in a converted croft house. April through September brings the most reliable ferry schedules and hiking weather, but winter visitors can watch Atlantic storms batter the coast from sheltered pubs. Confirm sailing times directly with CalMac, as wind often delays crossings.
