Falls of Falloch

Falls of Falloch is a wonderful, easy stop along A82 between Glasgow and Fort William. A short and easy walk through a very pretty woods brings you to beautiful Falls of Falloch, a clean 30-foot plunge into a deep pool flanked by picturesque cliffs. Picnic tables and a few benches make this a great spot to stop, stretch your legs, and enjoy some really nice Scottish scenery. And if the weather is nice this is an excellent swimming hole!

Follow the trail from the small parking area, then head right down a few steps at the trail junction. You’ll reach the falls before you know it! There are two viewpoints – a more head-on view from the rocks opposite the falls, and from the “Woven Sound” viewpoint to the side, which has been creatively constructed out of woven metal rods. If you’re interested there’s a smaller, more moderate trail that leads downstream from the main rock viewpoint and then meets up with the main trail, making a small loop and allowing better views of the river downstream of the falls.

Apparently during rainy periods this waterfall really swells, becoming a massive and powerful chute which expert kayakers sometimes run.

Falls of Falloch is wonderfully picturesque, with a clean form and beautiful cliffs flanking its idyllic pool. The pool is nicknamed “Rob Roy’s Bathtub” due to legends that the Scottish Jacobite Rebel and folk hero Robert Roy MacGregor used this location as a hideout. And he needed a bath. Probably lots of them. Which he got here swimming in his waterfall pool.

Falls of Falloch

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The Falls of Falloch was an unexpectedly pleasant stop along the route from Loch Lomond to Glencoe. The trail was nearly flat, fairly short, and very easy to reach the lovely falls. There’s an unusual viewing area that is kind of like a long cage with a view at the end but it was nearly … Read more

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Category: Galleries by Subject, 2/3 Aspect Ratio, Aspect Ratio, Galleries By Location, Galleries by Orientation, Galleries by Season, Landscape / Horizontal, Scotland, Summer, Waterfalls

Tags: Falls of Falloch, Scotland, Scotland landscape, Scottish Highlands

Cautions

The dangers here are quite minimal if you stay on the trail. Be aware that the trail can become muddy and slippery during rainy periods. The Woven Sound viewpoint is very safe, although small kids will have a hard time seeing over the railing and vegetation. The rocks can get slippery below the falls. 

Do not swim if the water is high and the current is strong! I would not recommend this swimming spot to youngsters under 8 years old or to folks who are beginning swimmers because getting out of the pool might be challenging due to the rocks and there is some current in the pool even when the flow is low.

The parking lot is pretty small. It fits maybe 20 vehicles. If the carpark is full move on – parking along the A82 roadside here is illegal and very dangerous.

Getting There

The parking area is directly off A82. If you’re heading north on A82 (coming from Glasgow / passing through Alexandria) the parking area is on the right about 1 mile past the village of Inverarnan. If you’re heading south of A82 (coming from Fort William via Glencoe or from Stirling via A85) the parking area is on the left a little under 3 miles from the junction of A82 and A85 in Crainlarich.

Photographer’s Tip

I preferred the rock viewpoint over Woven Sound because the woven floor was quite challenging to set up my tripod on. Both offer good views. The falls face west, with tall trees casting shadows on the falls a few hours before sunset. You may encounter backlighting here in the morning. Expect a lot of mist during high flows.

Links

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/scotland/stirling/falls-of-falloch

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochlomond/falls-of-falloch.shtml

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/falls-of-falloch-p2568511

https://www.seelochlomond.co.uk/discover/visit-falls-of-falloch