Love waterfalls? Whether you are looking for a woodland stroll, to take the ultimate waterfall photograph or want to visit the UK’s highest waterfall, explore the best waterfalls in Scotland on these gorgeous walks. Here are my favourite walks to waterfalls in Scotland.
My favourite walks to waterfalls in Scotland
From the highest waterfall in Scotland, to the most dramatic, here are my favourite waterfalls in Scotland.
Steall Falls (Glen Nevis, Highland)
Located in the stunning Glen Nevis, An Steall Bàn or Steall Falls is Scotland’s second-highest waterfall. Meaning ‘white spout’, a walk to Steall falls is one of my favourite waterfall walks as you visit the falls by hiking through the spectacular Steall Gorge beneath Ben Nevis on this 2 mile walk from Glen Nevis.
Maspie Den (Falkland, Fife)
The Falkland Estate offers up woodland and waterfall walks, in a 1900 acre park. Climb up to Maspie Den, a waterfall reached through a deep and hidden river valley which makes you feel like you are in Jurassic World, not Scotland.
Grey Mare’s Tail (Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway)
In the southern uplands of Scotland, is Grey Mare’s Tail, one of the spectacular waterfalls in Scotland, descending 200ft into the Moffat Valley. Take the path to the east of the waterfall to climb to the hidden Loch Skeen, the largest in the Southern Uplands, and surrounded by mountains. Watch out for the wild goats on the path – the kids are incredibly cute!
Falls of Foyers (Loch Ness)
The 140ft falls at Foyers have been famous since Victorian times – and inspired verses from Robert Burns and “Scotland’s worst poet” William McGonagall. There are well-made but very steep paths down to the viewing platforms for the falls.
Plodda Falls (Glen Affric, Tomich, Highland)
Plodda Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Scotland, plunging 46 metres (151 feet) into a gorge. A short walk through a forested area will lead you to a viewing platform where you can admire the falls. Explore the falls and surrounding beautiful Douglas Fir woodlands on a 1-hour Plodda Falls walk.
Falls of Acharn (Kenmore, Perthshire)
The Falls at Acharn are a series of dramatic waterfalls above the banks of Loch Tay. A circular walk takes you through pretty woodland, with views back over to the loch, before dropping down into a steep ravine through which the waterfalls tumble. Do you dare to enter the Hermit’s Cave to view the falls? (a torch will be handy!). Best walked after heavy rain! Distance – 1.25 miles. Falls of Acharn walk route map.
The Falls of Clyde (New Lanark, South Lanarkshire)
The Falls of Clyde is a series of waterfalls on the River Clyde. It’s a popular nature reserve and offers several walking trails that provide excellent views of the falls. Stroll along the 5km Clyde walkway to see the Dundaff Linn, Corra Linn and Bonnington Linn falls. The Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve is managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Black Linn Falls, The Hermitage (Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross)
The Hermitage is an 18th-century pleasure garden filled with giant Douglas Fir trees. There are various walks you can take through the woodlands of Craigvinean Forest, the most popular is to walk to Ossian’s Hall, where a viewing platform reveals the tumbling Black Linn Falls below – probably one of the most photographed waterfalls in Scotland! Distance – Ossian’s Hall – ½ mile, Ossian’s Cave 1.5 miles. The Hermitage walk guide from NTS.
Deil’s Cauldron (Comrie, Perthshire)
To the north of the pretty Perthshire village of Comrie is the Deil’s Cauldron, where a series of waterfalls fall through a dramatic gorge. The walk is easy, and the landscape is all Perthshire pretty. You can take a short walk up to the two viewing platforms for the waterfalls – the Wee Cauldron, and the more dramatic Deil’s (Devil’s) Cauldron or do the walk as a circuit through the glen, and climb up to the Melville Monument for a fine view across Perthshire. Distance – 2 miles (there and back) 4-mile circular. Circular route map
Wailing Widow Falls walk and Loch na Gainmhich (Assynt)
The Wailing Widow falls can be found near the Kylesku Bridge and are one of the longest drop falls in Scotland. They descend out of Loch na Gainmhich over a cliff!
There are athree viewpoints to see the falls – from the bottom, the Wailing Widow falls walk is a 15 minute scramble along the river bank (park at the “Wailing Widow car park” on google maps) or from the top, (park at “Quinag Car Park Viewpoint“) where there are a couple of viewpoints either side of the river. One of the most insta-famous waterfalls in Scotland!
Corrieshalloch Gorge (Ullapool, Highland)
Corrieshalloch Gorge is a dramatic natural chasm, and at its heart is the Falls of Measach, a waterfall that drops 45 metres (148 feet). A suspension bridge provides a thrilling view of the gorge and the falls. Visit Corrieshalloch Gorge. Don’t be scared!
Big Burn (Golspie, Highland)
Just past Golspie are the beautiful waterfalls and woodlands along the Big Burn, an easy, but spectacular, walk for all the family. Follow the glen along wooden walkways to find the waterfalls which pore over the cliff edges in this mini tropical rainforest glen.
Loup of Fintry (Fintry, Stirling)
The Loup of Fintry is a spectacular waterfall on the River Endrick. A short walk from the village of Fintry leads to a viewpoint overlooking the falls on the River Endrick. The waterfall features a dramatic 94-foot (about 30-meter) drop into a deep gorge.
Rogie Falls (Contin, Highland)
Rogie Falls is a popular stop along the Black Water River. There’s a picturesque suspension bridge over the falls, and a circular walk through the forest offers different vantage points to enjoy the waterfall. Explore on this short Rogie Falls walk from Contin.
Dollar Glen (Clackmananshire)
Beneath Castle Campbell deep in the Glen are two chasms, carrying two burns, the Burn of Sorrows and the Burn of Care, worn out of granite rock. Follow the path down into Long Bridge Gorge and you will find yourself utterly surrounded by green; tropical ferns, rich mosses, twisted branches and squawking wildlife. The glen is laid out with a serious of bridges and raised walkways which dip you down into crevices, revealing the tumbling Hempy Falls, and glimpses of the castle.
Waterfalls in Scotland
Want to know more about the best waterfalls in Scotland?
Which is the highest waterfall in Scotland?
The highest waterfall in Scotland is Eas a’ Chual Aluinn in Assynt is the highest waterfall in Scotland (and Britain) at 200m high. A six mile walk near Kylesku in Assynt takes you to the top of the falls. The second highest waterfall in Scotland is Steall Waterfall at 120m.
The other highest waterfalls in Scotland
Scotland has over 150 waterfalls, these are the highest.
- Eas a’ Chual Aluinn – 200m
- Steall waterfall – 120m
- Falls of Glomach 113m
- Falls of Foyers and the Falls of Clyde – 162m
- Falls of Bruar -60m
Kate Hopper
The blogger behind Love from ScotlandLove from Scotland is your guide to how to travel Scotland like a local. My name is Kate and on my site you will find everything you need to plan your perfect trip to Scotland – from destination guides to the best places to stay.