Waterfalls of Scotland - The Best Waterfalls to Visit on Your Scottish Road Trip

Bringing you the most scenic waterfalls views and where to find them in each part of Scotland. I've made a wee map so you can see where they all are (this took me ages btw 😅 and I'm starting to feel like a dinosaur with technology). If you have any suggestions for waterfalls I should visit, please leave a comment. Check out my top castles to visit in Scotland.

The best waterfalls to visit on your trip to Scotland:

(In no particular order)

Falls of Bruar Location: Blair Atholl Postcode: PH18 5TW

For this adventure, I'd suggest parking at the House of Bruar. It's free, and you can grab some tasty snacks for your walk. The walk is about 1.5 miles and takes around an hour to see both the upper and lower falls. The path to the upper falls can be pretty steep, so it's a good idea to wear sturdy shoes. Toward the top the path can be quite steep and narrow, I'd suggest going up the left path and come down the right. Along the way, you'll enjoy impressive trees and beautiful views. You'll also find some cute little tunnels and a bridge that's a popular spot for photos.

Falls of Foyer Location: Inverness Postcode: FK20 8RL

These falls exceeded my expectations all across the board, falling at an impressive height of 140 feet. This is certainly a hidden gem with minimal effort to get to from the roadside. To reach the upper viewpoint, you'll need to descend a pretty steep staircase with approximately 100 steps. There are a few side quests where you can go and visit a little locked gate to a dark underground room. You can reach the upper falls viewpoint within 5-10 minutes from the entrance. If you want more adventure then continue on to the lower viewpoint for breath-taking views of the gorge. There's a shop and café at the entrance where you can grab snacks and caffeine to recharge before or after your journey.  For more to do around this area check out my blog about the Scottish Highlands.

Plodda Falls Location: Cannich, Near Glen Affric Postcode: IV4 7LY

For me the highlight of these falls is the thrilling viewing point which hangs over the falls, it really is an unforgettable experience. After a beautiful scenic drive here you will come across a parking lot in the middle of the woodlands. From the parking area, a short walk leads to the wooden platform that extends over the edge, offering a thrilling birds eye view over the 151-foot waterfall. The platform is sturdy enough but you can sometimes feel it move slightly in the wind so be sure to bring your head for heights. For further exploration, a path winds through an impressive group of towering fir trees, leading to a lower viewing platform formed by the trees' roots giving you natures own viewing platform. This spot offers a unique perspective of the falls, with the powerful sound of water crashing down. The combination of lush greenery and the majestic waterfall creates a breath-taking scene that will leave a lasting impression. Whether you're an adventurer or a nature lover, this experience is one to treasure.

Steall Falls Location: Glen Nevis, Fort William Postcode: PH33 6SY

Located in Glen Nevis in the Scottish Highlands, the journey to the falls is almost as impressive as the falls themselves and includes a thrilling wire rope suspension bridge. I'd say it's around a 40 minute walk here from the Upper Falls Carpark, with views of mountains and a peaceful river running parallel to the path. Crossing the high rope bridge to get to the falls is an exciting way to cross the river (it's also possible to wade through the water when it is not in spate). Steall Falls is Scotland's second highest waterfall, featuring a drop of 120 meters. The cascading water creates a misty spray and rainbows, adding to its enchanting ambiance. The area holds significance for Harry Potter fans, as several scenes were filmed here, capturing the mystical essence of the wizarding world. With scenic views in the glen, I would recommend taking a picnic and making a day out of it.

Den Finella Location: St Cyrus Postcode: DD10 0DN

Den Finella Waterfall, also known as the "lost waterfall of Scotland," is a hidden gem located between St Cyrus and Johnshaven in Aberdeenshire. This is one of the more difficult ones on this list to get to, as it you have to climb down a steep hillside aided by ropes. You may be lucky enough to find parking on the bridge, then be surprised to find that the waterfall is pretty much right underneath it. To get there, you need to head into the woods and follow a grassy path which then leads down the very steep descent, which can be a extremely slippery if it's been raining. Someone has placed ropes here to help you down but you must take extreme care. The banks, trees and sides of the waterfall are covered in ferns and ivy. The waterfall drops around 80 feet, and you can climb the rocks on the right hand side to get closer and take a dip in the pools underneath the waterfall. It is a truly wonderful place to swim. If you don't want to climb down, you can still catch views of the falls by walking along to the old viaduct. I absolutely love this secret spot, but if you go, be extra careful.

Gray Mare's Tail Location: Kinlochleven Postcode: PH50 4SH

This wonderful spot feels like something directly out of a fairy-tale. You will hear the waterfall roaring long before it comes into view, creating a natural song. To get there it is a pleasant walk through the woodland area with some steep paths but it is pretty easy to reach. For the daring, there are planks, re-bar steps fixed into the rock and an exciting wire bridge over the water which will allow you to get up closer to the waterfall.

For an even bigger adventure, you can book Scotland's only Via Ferrata trail here. This will take you on a thrilling adventure with safety cables and harnesses, letting you climb right up the waterfall.

Mealt Falls (Kilt Rock) Location: Staffin, Skye Postcode: IV51 9JE

These two amazing natural spots are on the Isle of Skye, right on the edge of a cliff. The waterfall plunges down 60 meters, with a basalt sea cliff towering 90 meters high around it. The rocks are known as Kilt Rock because the columns resembles the pleats on a kilt - the Scottish national dress. There an accessible viewing platform near the parking lot where you can check out the falls and the cool rock formation. Sometimes, you might even see wildlife like puffins, whales, and dolphins. It can get pretty crowded during the holidays. If you are in Skye, I would definitely recommend stopping here on your trip.

Black Spout Location: Pitlochry Postcode: PH16 5RB

You can easily reach Black Spout Waterfall from the forest car park in about 10 minutes, with only a slight incline. The trail offers a picturesque hike through vibrant woodlands. The waterfall, standing over 60 meters tall, cascades down a rocky cliff into a tranquil pool, creating a stunning view, which is particularly impressive after heavy rain. The viewing platform provides a remarkable sight of the falls, but you can walk a bit further to get closer to the pools. The area is popular for hiking, birdwatching, and picnics. If you wish to extend your walk, it's possible to reach here from the centre of Pitlochry.

Falls of Falloch Location: Near Crainlarich Postcode: FK20 8RL

This stunning waterfall in the Scottish Highlands is formed by the River Falloch. A brief ten minute walk from the carpark leads you to this impressive sight. You can take a walk through the caged tunnel to give you a better vantage point of the falls, which are particularly impressive after heavy rain. You may find a lot of people swimming in the pools during the good weather, and even some daredevils jumping from the rocks, but please be careful as people have been seriously injured here in the past. A very popular spot which can get over crowded in the summer months and parking can become an issue. Unless you are taking a picnic or having a swim, this could be a relatively short stop on your journey.

Maspie Den Location: Falkland Estate, Fife Postcode: KY15 7AD

A waterfall that you can walk behind? Sign me up! You will find it at the end of a scenic woodland walk through the Falkland Estate. The trail takes you through a glen, across wooden bridges, through tunnels, and through the forest until you reach the Yad waterfall. There's a path that lets you stand right behind the falling water. Just be careful—the path can get pretty muddy and slippery when it rains. It's a lovely short walk with signs on boulders to help you find your way. However, there's not much phone signal here, so make sure you have a copy of the route before you head out.

If you're up for a longer or tougher hike, you can start from the Pillars of Hercules or check out the nearby Lomond Hills for more adventure.

Find other exciting things to do in Fife.

The above are the best waterfalls to visit on your trip to Scotland that I have uncovered so far. What do you think? Are there any more waterfalls in Scotland that you think I should visit? Feel free to check out my other blogs about exploring in Scotland.