Scotland the best
Spectacular waterfalls Venture along picturesque trails to reveals stunning wild mountain torrents to enchanting falls
Plodda Falls
A831 from Loch Ness to Cannich (12 miles), then four miles to Tomich, a further three miles up mainly woodland, quite pot-holed track to car park. 400m walk down through woods of Scots pine and ancient Douglas fir to one of the most enchanting woodland sites in Britain and the Forestry Commission’s vertiginous viewpoint over the 150m fall into the churning river below. Pools excellent for swimming. The Tweedmouth Trail is an easy loop. Freezes into winter wonderland.
Glenashdale Falls
Two-mile walk from bridge on main road at Whiting Bay, Arran. Signed up the burn side, but uphill and further than you think, so allow two hours (return). Series of falls in a rocky gorge in the woods with paths so you get right down to the brim and the pools. There’s
another waterfall walk, Eas Mòr, further south off the A841 at the second Kildonan turn-off. It’s under the care of a local ecology group. Steep start but a bracing one-hour gorge and woodland hike.
Falls of Measach
Junction of A832 and A835, 12 miles south of Ullapool. The more dramatic approach is from the car park on the A832 Gairloch road. Staircase to swing bridge from whence to consider how such a wee burn could make such a deep gash. Very impressive. There’s another viewpoint 100m over the bridge and a longer walk from the car park. A must-stop on the way to/from Ullapool. And see Inverbroom Estate.
Lealt Falls
Impressive torrent of wild mountain water on Skye about 12 miles north of Portree on the A855. Look for sign: River Lealt. There’s a car park on a bend on right (going north). Walk to grassy ledges and look over or go down to the beach. Kilt Rock, a viewpoint much favoured by bus parties, is a few miles further (you look over and along the cliffs).
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99