theworldbyemstagram10 Waterfalls in Scotland to Visit in 2023 [+ map!]
Scotland is without doubt home to some of the most stunning beauty in the UK, so it goes without saying that some of the best waterfalls in Britain are found in Scotland.
Whilst you might have to do a bit of searching to find some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Scotland, it’ll be well worth the adventure.
Scotland is one of the best places to go on a road trip in the UK, and these waterfalls are a must on any Scotland road trip itinerary.
So in no particular order, here are my 10 of the best waterfalls in Scotland!
Scotland Waterfalls Map
Here is a waterfall in Scotland map with all the falls I’ve listed below, to help you plan the best itinerary for checking out all these Scottish waterfalls.
Where I can I’ve used the what.3.words references for the waterfalls or their car parks.
Every 3 metre square of the world has been given a unique combination of three words and the what.3.words app gives you all of these.
It’s the ideal way to know where you are or where you’re going in all situations whether that be out exploring, meeting a friend or in an emergency.
Find out the what.3.words for your current location
Waterfalls in Scotland
1. Mealt Falls
Kicking off this list is perhaps one of the best known waterfalls in Scotland, and it’s of course found in the iconic Isle of Skye!
Skye is renowned for its dramatic landscapes and untouched beauty, so it comes as no surprise that some of the best waterfalls in the UK are found here.
In fact, checking out some of the waterfalls in the Isle of Skye are some of the best things to do when you visit the Skye.
Mealt Falls is a 180 ft drop waterfall which spills dramatically over the cliff edge into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s certainly a unique sight, and one of the best photo spots in the Scottish Highlands.
Its name is derived from Loch Mealt, where the water is directly fed from. This Skye waterfall is best known for being in the foreground of the popular Kilt Rock. So you may have heard this waterfall referred to as Kilt Rock Waterfall before.
The Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock viewpoint is a popular stop and photograph spot on any Isle of Skye itinerary.
Mealt Falls what.3.words ///facing.inversion.jetliner
2. Plodda Falls
Next on my list of waterfalls in Scotland is Plodda Falls, one of Scotland’s most spectacular waterfalls!
Finding a waterfall is always going to be an adventure, but the real adventure at this waterfall is finding the car park, which is 5 miles beyond the tiny village of Tomich, near Glen Affric.
To get to the Plodda Falls car park A82 along Loch ness to Drumnadrochit, then turn onto the A831 (signposted Cannaich) for about 10 miles, before turning down the minor road signposted Tomich.
Carry on along this road for just over 6 miles. The road will pass through Tomich and then turn into a Forest Track. Stay with it, and eventually you’ll reach the car park –
You won’t have mobile phone signal down here so make sure you have your walking route planned, or have offline maps such as maps.me downloaded.
Plodda Falls have been a popular tourist attraction for a long time. The original footbridge over the top of the falls dated back to 1880. It was deemed unsafe in 2005 so a new viewing platform was built 4 years later.
Plodda Falls Car Park what.3.words ///either.performed.rosette
3. Falls of Foyers
Next on the list is one of the great waterfalls near Inverness and Loch Ness, in fact Falls of Foyers Scotland eventually feeds into Loch Ness. The falls drop 140 ft into the dramatic gorge below.
There’s a car park on the main road opposite where the walking trail starts. The path winds down through woodland, where there’s a chance for you to spot an elusive red squirrel – they’re very endangered and can only be seen in Scotland and on the Isle of Wight!
The path leads you to the upper and lower viewpoints, and all the way along through the gorge to the shore of Loch Ness, if you choose to carry on that far!
After you’ve made the steep climb back up the steps, you can grab a drink or a bite to eat at the Waterfall Cafe Foyers. Falls of Foyers are open all year round and are free to access.
Falls of Foyers what.3.words ///states.dare.boring
4. Rogie Falls
I actually wound up at these Scottish waterfalls by accident on my last Scotland road trip.
That’s the beauty of driving around Scotland, you can pull over whenever you fancy (or in my case, whenever you get FOMO from a sign post or potential photo opportunity).
I stumbled upon Rogie Falls Scotland when I was driving from Loch Ussie (near Dingwall), to Ullapool.
There’s a Forestry Commission car park signposted off the A835 about 15 minutes from Dingwall. It’s free to park here, and there’s various walking trails giving you access to the waterfall.
When I visited Rogie Falls, the suspension bridge was closed off, but it has since re-opened and I imagine this offers you fantastic views of Rogie Falls.
Rogie Falls Car Park what.3.words – ///resonates.burden.promising
5. Falls of Measach (and Corrieshalloch Gorge)
Another pit stop on my journey to Ullapool was the beautiful Corrieshalloch Gorge. I’d been recommended stopping here on the otherwise deserted, but nonetheless beautiful, journey along the A835.
This is a National Trust for Scotland area, so at certain times of the year there are parking fees. If you are a National Trust member (not just NT for Scotland) parking is free. There is no charge to visit the Gorge.
Corrieshalloch Gorge is designated a national Nature Reserve, and it isn’t hard to see why.
When I visited there was nothing here but a car park and walking trail, but according to their website the Corrieshalloch Gateway to Nature Centre is set to open in spring 2023 with a toilets and a takeaway cafe – not sure whether that’s a good or bad thing…but toilets are never a bad idea!
Corrieshalloch is one of the most spectacular gorges of its type in Britain. There’s a short walk from the car park to the Victorian suspension bridge where you can see the Falls of Measach, crashing into the gorge.
Corrieshalloch is also home to a nationally rare species of crane fly, so if crane flies are your thing this is the place for you!
Corrieshalloch Nature Reserve what.3.words ///drummers.fame.tracking
6. Falls of Falloch
Whilst this small waterfall doesn’t often get a look in, I thought it very much deserved a mention on my list of Scotland waterfalls.
Falls of Falloch Scotland is found in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, just off the A82 between Ardlui and Crianlarich.
My route up to, and back from, the highlands nearly always passes through this National Park, and this waterfall is so accessible it seems silly not to make a stop every time.
The car park is well signposted off the A82, and it’s only around a 250m walk to reach the falls, making it the perfect little pit stop on any Scotland road trip.
It’s a great spot for a dip in the warmer months, but it is equally appealing in the autumn when the surrounding trees are vibrant with browns and oranges.
Falls of Falloch what.3.words ///suitable.highly.latched
7. Steall Waterfall
Steall Waterfall is found in Glen Nevis, near Fort William. The waterfall is also known as ‘An Steall Bàn’ meaning ‘White Spout’ in Gaelic.
With a drop of 120m (390 ft) it’s not only the Second highest Scottish waterfall, but also the second highest waterfall in the UK.
The walk to reach the waterfall is short but fantastic nonetheless. The route takes you through the beautiful Nevis Gorge, leading you to Steall Falls.
For the Harry Potter fans, these waterfalls featured in the background of Hogwarts. You can see Steall Falls cascading behind Quidditch matches and the Triwizard Tournament.
The best way to get to Steall Waterfall is from the Upper Falls car park, also known as the Upper Glen Nevis car park. There is also a Lower Falls car park, but the hike is longer and more challenging.
Upper Falls car park what.3.words ///edge.remarking.folders
Lower Falls car park what.3.words ///remodels.bearable.stopwatch
8. Lealt Falls
Next on this list of some of the best waterfalls in Scotland sees us head back over to the Isle of Skye. Lealt Falls are often overshadowed by the nearby Mealt Falls, but they’re easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the UK.
This Isle of Skye waterfall has become increasingly popular over the years, and was made more accessible by a viewing platform built in 2018. There’s an easy to reach car park just off the A855
Lealt Falls car park what.3.words ///bullion.topmost.landowner
9. Eas á Chual Aluinn
So we’ve had the second highest Scottish waterfall, now to go one better…
Eas a’ Chual Aluinn claims the title of Britain’s highest waterfall, with a drop of 658ft, or 200m, but 658ft sounds more impressive doesn’t it. The Gaelic name translates to ‘waterfall of the beautiful trees’.
You can find Eas a’ Chual Aluinn up in the Highlands, in Assynt, Sutherland. When it’s in full flow it’s over three times higher than Niagara Falls, so an impressive sight to say the least!
A walking route to the falls starts at the parking area beside the hairpin bend on the A894, between Lochinver and Kylesku. The route is NOT signposted, so you’ll need a map – either an OS map, or download offline maps like maps.me.
The trail is tricky to navigate and the terrain is challenging, especially in the beginning, so take care! Read more about the details of the route here.
From this walk you won’t be able to see the entire 200m drop of the falls. To see the entire drop, take a cruise from Loch Glencoul from Kylesku, which departs from the slipway near the Kylesku Hotel.
Eas a’ Chual Aluinn car park what.3.words ///mistaken.portfolio.scare
Eas a’ Chual Aluinn what.3.words ///jigging.bluffing.childcare
10. Grey Mare’s Tail
Rounding up this list of the best waterfalls in Scotland is one of the tallest waterfalls in Scotland, and the 5th highest in the UK. The Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall plunges 200ft into the Moffat Valley below.
The waterfall is found in the Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve. Parking here is £3, but National Trust members can park for free.
The waterfall is fed from nearby Loch Skeen, so the waters are crystal clear. The waterfall has been noted as a place of significant natural and botanical importance, by the EU and UK government thanks to its wide variety of rare flower breeds.
Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve car park what.3.words ///able.winemaker.attention
Which Scotland waterfalls will you visit?
If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, I’d love to hear all about it. I love to hear about any trips, but Scottish ones are secretly my favourite!
Have you included some of these waterfalls on your itinerary? Or are you planning on heading to some others that I haven’t mentioned here?
Drop a comment below or say hello over on instagram, and let me know what your plans are.
If you’re thinking of visiting Scotland, you might find some of the other Scotland blog posts useful:
How to Visit the Wee White House Glencoe
