By Meike Burgess, Marketing Manager
Published: May 22, 2020More by Meike
By Meike Burgess, Marketing Manager
Published: May 22, 2020More by Meike
Due to Scotland’s fascinating geology and notorious rainfall we’ve got some pretty spectacular waterfalls tucked away in the countryside. Following heavy rain, it is absolutely spellbinding to watch water thunder down the glens. Even when we’ve been treated to sunnier days and the thunder is more of a trickle, the waterfalls in Scotland are still incredible beauty spots to go see.
With a team of over 50 outdoor experts working in the office and in the field, we’ve collectively banked thousands of outdoor hours exploring Scotland’s wild places. The list below includes in our opinion some of the most beautiful, dramatic, and awe-inspiring waterfalls in Scotland. This list is by no means conclusive, it’s just a sample of all the incredible waterfalls that there are to see in the Scottish Highlands.
View this post on Instagram
The Plodda Falls is located just outside of the village of Tomich, near Glen Affric. The falls at around 45 meters high is impressive enough on its own, a vertical cascade surrounded by lush woodland. The experience is only enhanced by the magnificent walk visitors have to make to get to the viewing platform. Although not long, the rough path, muddy at times, takes you through a maze of beautiful Douglas Fir. You can opt to view the falls from the bottom and/or the top, but the viewing platform in our opinion is a must. It allows for the best views and picture taking opportunities.
Walk Highlands route description here.
View this post on Instagram
This is one for the real adventurer. It’s a bit out of the way from anywhere really, although simultaneously surprisingly accessible. Clashnessie is a lovely smattering of houses just outside of Clashnessie Bay. The waterfall is a short but boggy and rough walk out into the glen, signposted from the village. Prepare yourself for wet muddy feet, sturdy boots are a must and gaiters are highly recommended! A round trip is expected to take 45 minutes to an hour.
View this post on Instagram
If you’ve had your fill of trying to spot Nessie, why not head over to the Falls of Foyers on the eastern side of Loch Ness? The eastern shores are much less busy than the much frequented western side of the loch, and the falls are a definite highlight. It’s said that the main drop is around 50 meters high. Depending on the time available and energy levels, you could visit the falls directly from the Upper Foyers car park and take the steep steps down to the gorge. There are two viewpoints from which to admire the falls. Alternatively, you can take a longer route that incorporates more of the woods and takes you to the shores of Loch Ness. Either way, the path is well maintained throughout and provides a pleasant excursion.
Walk Highlands route description here.
View this post on Instagram
The Hermitage near Dunkeld is one of the most popular waterfall walks in Scotland and it’s easy to see why. The walk itself is gorgeous, taking visitors through thick lush woodland, dense with impressive Douglas Firs. If visiting Scotland in autumn, this a must-see destination. The first point along the walk is Ossian’s Hall, a perfect example of an 18th-century folly. The hall is normally open to the public and is a great spot from which to view the main event, Black Linn Falls.
Now some people might be satisfied with this and can return to the car park, with the option to return via the accessible path or the rougher woodland walk. Alternatively, press on to Ossian’s Cave and Rumbling Bridge. Again, this could be a good spot to turn around or from which to choose your next adventure. You could cross the bridge and make your way back from the other side of the river and through the Tay Forest Park. You could also retrace your steps and explore some of the paths that split off from the original river walk.
View this post on Instagram
The Wailing Widow Falls is a funny one. It is massively impressive, especially when there is a decent chunk of water coming down, but relatively unknown and often bypassed. If driving around Sutherland it’s easy to miss the falls. You’ll find the Wailing Widow Falls south of Unapool, along the A894. There is a layby near Loch Gainmhich, and a small rough track takes you right to the bottom of the falls. It’s the best viewpoint you’re going to get. It can be underwhelming if it’s been dry, although the surrounding scenery alone makes it worth the trip. If there has been fair bit of rain, it’s absolutely marvellous and akin to Icelandic waterfalls in its majesty. Alternatively, you can walk higher up by the loch. This is also the starting point for a walk to go see Eas a’ Chual Aluinn, Britain’s highest waterfall, several kilometres southeast.
View this post on Instagram
Steall Falls has got two claims to fame; it’s the second-highest waterfall in Scotland, and it also starred in the 4th movie of the Harry Potter series. It’s a mind-boggling 120-meters high and cascades down the slopes of An Gearanach. There is a great there-and-back-again walk which starts at the end of the Glen Nevis road. The area is managed and maintained by John Muir trust; and you’ll often see volunteer groups working in the area doing fence building, litter picking, path maintenance, and tree planting.
Now anyone who has been right to the foot of falls will smile knowingly about the wire bridge crossing you have to undertake. Consisting of 3 steel ropes, the adventurous can cross the Nevis here. It’s a balancing act, and if you’re a bit nervous we recommend using climbing equipment to assist with the crossing. It’s however not necessary to traverse the infamous wire bridge, you can take in the beauty of the falls just fine from the other side of the river.
Walk Highlands route description here.
View this post on Instagram
It feels a bit cheeky to add Mealt Falls to this list as it does not really involve any walking, but the falls are simply breathtaking and one of the most well-known destinations on the Isle of Skye. At the viewpoint, you can get a good idea of the scale of the falls. You’re also treated to a great view of the famous Kilt Rock further along the coast. The cliffs here consist of vertical basalt columns which look similar to the pleating of a kilt, and the colouring of the rock is reminiscent of tartan, resulting in the name ‘Kilt Rock’. We recommend a boat tour for the best views and pictures.
View this post on Instagram
Corrieshalloch Gorge is hands down one of the most impressive gorges in Scotland, and the show stopper is undeniably the Falls of Measach. You can observe the 45-meter high waterfall from the Victorian suspension bridge that spans the width of the gorge, or the more recent vertigo-inducing viewing platform. You can make the walk a pleasant circuit that can take up to an hour. Admire the lush vegetation of the gorge, impressive geological features, and look out towards Loch Broom.
Walk Highlands route description here.
Visit with us! We visit Corrieshalloch Gorge on day 2 of our North Coast 500 road cycling trip.
View this post on Instagram
The Falls of Glas Allt is a perfect of example of the raw Highland beauty that captivated Queen Victoria back in the 19th century. Queen Victoria had a ‘widow’s retreat’ built for herself here after the death of Prince Albert. It’s a beautiful and spacious lodge where once the stalkers cottage stood. You can get the best overall view of the falls from the south side of the loch; looking towards the Glas-Allt-Shiel lodge nestled in the woods, with the waterfall and mountains as the backdrop.
For a closer inspection of the waterfall, there is a steep path going up behind the hunting lodge. It is worth the detour if you are doing a circuit of Loch Muick. This path is usually used as a descent route from the hills above but provides great access to those only interested in seeing the 50-meter high cascade instead.
Walk Highland route description here.
Visit with us! We walk the circuit at Loch Muick on our Cairngorms & Royal Deeside walking holiday.
View this post on Instagram
You will never be disappointed with a visit to Rogie Falls. The walk is just lovely, passing through stunning woodland, and there are several places from which you gaze up or down at the falls. There are two Forestry & Land Scotland trails to the falls from the car park, with one being a bit easier and shorter than the other. The best spot for seeing the falls is from the suspension bridge, allowing you to view the main event completely unobstructed and head-on. In late summer and early autumn, you stand a good chance to see salmon leaping up the falls and the nearby fish ladder.
Walk Highlands route description here.
View this post on Instagram
Saving the best for last? Perhaps! The Falls of Glomach is the most effort to get to out of any of the waterfalls suggested, but it’s worth it, trust us. The shortest route (from Morvich) will take at least 5 hours there and back depending on fitness, photo stops, and weather. The path is straight forward but features a lot of ascent. The slightly longer route (from Glen Elchaig) has less ascent but the terrain is significantly rougher and requires some level-headed scrambling. It will take between 6-7 hours there and back. The falls are a jaw-dropping single drop of 113-meters, set in some of the most beautiful and remote scenery in Scotland.
The Falls of Glomach features as the second walk in a series of winter walks put together by one of Wilderness guides Alex Kendall. He combines elements of both ‘traditional’ approaches to make a round trip that avoids walking back the same way you came.
Walk Highlands route description for from Morvich.
Walk Highlands route description for from Glen Elchaig.
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers.