List of waterfalls in Scotland explained

Much of Scotland is mountainous; western areas of the Highlands enjoy a wet climate. The more steeply plunging west coast highland rivers in particular are home to countless waterfalls. Scotland has over 150 waterfalls, most are situated in the Highlands due to the landscape [1]

Names of falls

The term ‘linn’ is found throughout southern and eastern Scotland (and in the northern English county of Northumberland). Confusingly 'linn' can denote either a fall or the plunge pool or indeed a confined stretch of water. ‘Spout’ is another common word found throughout England and Scotland for particular types of fall though it is usually replaced by ‘sput’ in the formerly Gaelic-speaking parts of the latter.

The Gaelic word ‘eas’ is by far the most common term for a waterfall in the Scottish Highlands where the majority of place names are of Gaelic origin.

Highest waterfalls in Scotland

The list of highest waterfalls is sometimes debatable, due to the ambiguity of whether to measure the single largest fall or the sum of a series of falls, and many falls make false claims to the record.This table measures waterfalls by tallest single drop.

WaterfallLocationHeight (metres)
1200
2120
3113

Alphabetical tables of named waterfalls

A

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Achness FallsRiver Cassleynear Invercassley
Allalith Burnnear Fochabers
An Steall or Steall FallsAllt Coire a’ MhailGlen Nevis
Auchinlinnylinn SpoutRiver Carronnear Denny
Avich FallsRiver Avichwest of Loch Awe

B

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Badger FallRiver AffricGlen Affric
Bearreraig WaterfallBearreraig RiverTrotternish, Skye
Bells LinnBells Burnnear Kielder (on English border)
Black Linn FallsRiver Braannear Dunkeld
Black Linn of BlairvaichDuchray Waternear Aberfoyle
Black Spouttributary of Cooper's Burnnear Fintry
Black SpoutFinglen Burnnear Lennoxtown
The Black SpoutEdradour Burnnear Pitlochry
Bonnington LinnRiver ClydeNew Lanark
Bracklinn FallsKeltie Waternear Callander
Buchan WaterfallBuchan BurnGlen Trool
Buck LoupGrey Mare’s Tail Burnnear Newton Stewart
Bucks LinnCraigshinnie Burnnear Dalry

C

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Caldron LinnAnnet Burn, tributary of River Teithnear Doune
Cauldron LinnRiver Devonnear Crook of Devon
Carsindarroch StepsGalloway
Chest of DeeRiver DeeGlen Dee
Corra LinnRiver ClydeNew Lanark
Corrie SpoutCorrie BurnKilsyth Hills
Corrimony FallsRiver EnrickGlen Urquhart
Craigie LinnLittle Water of FleetGalloway
Clugie LinnPalnure Burnnear Newton Stewart
Culachy FallsConnachie Burn off River Tarffnear Fort Augustus
Culligran FallsRiver FarrarGlen Strathfarrar
Culnaskiach Fallson tributary of Bruiach Burnnear Beauly
Cushat Linn[2] Boghead Burnnear Muirkirk

D

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Deil’s CaldronRiver Lednocknear Comrie
Derrygown LinnDerrygown BurnGatehouse of Fleet
Dog FallsBurn of Agienear to Glen Roy
Dog FallsRiver AffricGlen Affric
Downie's LoupGargunnock Burnnear Gargunnock
Drunmore LinnBaing Burn near Straiton
Dualt SpoutDualt Burnnear Dumgoyne
Dundaff LinnRiver ClydeNew Lanark

E

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Eagle's FallEas an TuircGlen Fyne
Eas a’ BhradainAllt Coire nam Bruadaranin Red Cuillin, Skye
Eas a’ ChaitAllt Eas a’ Chaiteast of Loch Ness
Eas a’ Chaorainnunnamed streamnear Kilmelford
Eas a’ ChaorainnAbhainn BheagKnoydart
Eas a’ ChathaidhRiver OrchyGlen Orchy
Eas a’ Chobhainn DuibhWester Fearn Burnnear Ardgay
Eas a’ Chrannaig or Glenashdale FallsAllt Dhepin or Glenashdale Burnnear Whiting Bay, Isle of Arran
Eas a Chraosainunnamed streamnorth of Loch Achall, Ullapool
Eas a’ MhuillidhAllt Coire MhuillidhGlen Strathfarrar
Eas a' Chual Aluinnon tributary of Abhainn a’ Loch Bhig
Eas AboistAllt Mios an AirighDuirinish, Skye
Eas Allt a’ ChaiseAllt a’ Chaisewest of Loch Maree
Eas Allt a’ MheilAllt a’ Mheilnorth of Loch Quoich
Eas Allt an TairbhAllt an TairbhJura
Eas Allt HornAllt Hornnear Loch Stack
Eas an AigheAllt a’ Chuilinnnear Loch Stack
Eas an DubhaidhFionn Lighenear Glenfinnan
Eas an FhamhairLussa RiverJura
Eas an Fhir MhoirRiver EtiveGlen Etive
Eas an FhithichRiver CannichGlen Cannich
Eas an InbhireAllt an Inbhirenear Inverscaddle
Eas an StocairAllt an Lon BiolaireichIsle of Mull
Eas an Torre MhoirAbhainn Duibhenear Bridge of Gaur
Eas Bad a’ ChrothaAbhainn Bad a’ ChrothaBadachro
Eas Bànon tributary of Machrie WaterArran
Eas BànBruichladdichBruichladdich, Islay
Eas BànAllt MorGlen Elchaig
Eas BànAllt Ban an Li-ruigheGlen Elchaig
Eas BànAllt Coire a’ MhadaidhThe Grey Corries
Eas BànRussel Burnnear Kishorn
Eas BànAllt EighidhDundonnell Forest
Eas Breac-achaidhAbhainn Inbhir GhuisiereinKnoydart
Eas BuidheAllt na Leth Bheinnnear Corpach
Eas CharronAlladale RiverGlen Alladale
Eas Chia-aigAbhainn Chia-aigeast of Loch Arkaig
Eas ChlianaigAllt Beinn Chlianaignear to Roybridge
Eas ChoulAllt a ChuailleInverlael Forest
Eas ChuilAllt Blarghoureast of Loch Awe
Eas Cnoc na MorrarAllt a’ Ghlinne MhoirGlencalvie Forest
Eas Coire nan ChoireAllt Coire nan Cnamhnear Kinlochhourn
Eas Creag an LuchdaAbhainn a’ Ghlinne Duibhenear Loch Glendhu
Eas Dhomhnuill DhuibhAllt Eas Dhomhnuill DuibhDundonnell Forest
Eas Druim Dubh ThollaidhRiver ShielGlen Shiel
on tributary of River Lonannear Oban
Eas Dubhunnamed tributary of Cos Burnsouth of Loch Venachar
Eas DubhAllt an FhirBrolass, Isle of Mull
Eas DubhAllt CoulavieGlenaffric
Eas DubhAllt Luirg nam BrocGlen Urquhart
Eas DubhUllapool Rivernear Ullapool
Eas Dubh Uidh a’ ChlaigeilAbhainn Mhornear Elphin
Eas Dubh a’Ghlinne GhairbhInverianvie RiverInchgavre Forest
Eas Dubh Gleann TanagaidhAbhainn Gleann TanagaidhFannichs
Eas FionnRiver LaelInverlael Forest
Eas ForsArdow Burnnear Dervaig, Isle of Mull
Eas Forsabelow Loch AllanIslay
Eas GealBenlister Burnnear Lamlash, Arran
Eas GlutaGlutt WaterFlow Country
Eas LathanDoodilmore RiverIslay
Eas Maol MhairiRiver CannichGlen Cannich
Eas Mhic GorraidhAllt Easan Mhic Gorraidhnear Glenelg
Eas MòrAllt Mornear Auchenhew, (Arran)
Eas Mòr (lower)Abhainn GhilIslay
Eas Mòr (upper)Abhainn GhilIslay
Eas MòrAllt Coire na BanachdichGlen Brittle, Skye
Eas MòrKames Rivereast of Loch Awe
Eas MòrHuisgill BurnMinginish, Skye
Eas MòrAbhainn an Easa’ MhoirBrolass, isle of Mull
Eas MòrAbhainn Eilgnear Glenelg
Eas MòrBurn of AuchnessGlen Lossie
Eas MòrDibidal RiverDuirinish, Skye
Eas MòrRiver TorridonGlen Torridon
Eas na BaintighearnaAllt Pollain RiabhaichGlen Achall
Eas na Bo Raibhaichunnamed tributary of River Araynear Inveraray
Eas na BraisteFeith an Leothaidsouth of Loch Assynt
Eas na CisteAllt na CaillichStrathcarron
Eas na Dabhaichunnamed streamnear Carsaig, Isle of Mull
Eas na GaibhreRiver Kerrynear Gairloch
Eas na Muicunnamed streamnear Dunbeg, Oban
Eas na Saighe CaimeAllt Poll an DroighimInchnadamph Forest
Eas na SpeireigAllt Eas na SpeiriegFannichs
Eas nam BeatachAllt Coralannear Tyndrum
Eas nan ClagRiver Nantnear Taynuilt
Eas nan Coireachanunnamed tributary of Glengarrisdale RiverJura
Eas na GlutachanAllt Leacachnear Rhiconich
Eas nan LiathanachAllt nan LiathanachSunart
Eas nan LongRiver Lochynear Fort William
Eas nan LubAllt Strath a’ Ghlinne
Eas of AuchnessBurn of AuchnessGlen Lossie
Eas Ruigh an t-SagairtAllt na Glaic MoireInchnadamph Forest
Eas TardilAllt Achaidh BhigWaternish, Skye
Eas Torran a’ ChompanaichAllt Coire SheilichStrathcarron
Eas Uisge Toll a' MhadaidhInverianvie RiverInchgarve Forest
Eas UrchaidhRiver OrchyGlen Orchy
Easa CumhangLevencorroch Burnnear Auchenhew, Arran
Easan BanAllt an EoinGlen Moriston
Easan BanaAbhainn Ghlasnear Gairloch
Easan BanaAllt Loch Gaineamhachnear Kishorn
Easan BhunachainRiver RoyGlen Roy
Easan BuidheAbhainn Inbhir GhuisereinKnoydart
Easan ChoineasGlen Golly RiverGlen Golly
Easan DubhAllt Cam a’ PhuirtKnapdale
Easan DubhAllt na Lairigenear Loch Treig
Easan DubhAllt Easain Duibheast of Freevater Forest
Easan DubhaRiver OrchyGlen Orchy
Easan GarbhAllt an Easain Ghairbhnear Rhiconich
Easan LabharAllt an Easain Labhairnear Salen, Isle of Mull
Easan Laogh,Allt Coire LaoghGlen Creran
Easan MorAllt Coire Easain Morwest of Loch Treig
Easan na GaibhreRiver CassleyGlen Cassley
Easan nan SonGruinard RiverInchgarve Forest
Easan nan Toll DubhaAlladale RiverGlen Alladale
Easann Dhonnchaidhunnamed streamnear Arnisdale
Enarg FallsRiver Einignear Oykel Bridge
Enoch LinnDunwan Burnnear Eaglesham
Ess of GlenlatterachLeanoch Burnnear Elgin
Euchan FallEuchan Waternear Sanquhar

F

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Fairy LoupByre Burnnear Canonbie
Falls of AcharnAcharn Burnnear Kenmore
Falls of BalgyRiver Balgysouth of Upper Loch Torridon
Falls of BalnaguardBalnaguard Burnnear Grandtully
Falls of BarvickBarvick Burnnear Crieff
Falls of BruarBruar WaterGlen Garry
Falls of CamserneyCamserney Burnnear Aberfeldy
Falls of ClydeRiver Clydenear Lanark
Falls of CruachanAllt CruachanPass of Brander
Falls of DamffWater of UnichGlen Lee
Falls of DeeAllt a Gharbh-choire (River Dee)southwest of Braeriach
Falls of DessDess Burnnear Aboyne
Falls of DivachDivach Burnnear Drumnadrochit
Falls of DochartRiver Dochartat Killin
Falls of Drumly HarryNora WaterGlen Ogil
Falls of EdinampleBurn of Amplenear Lochearnhead
Falls of FallochRiver FallochGlen Falloch
Falls of FeakirkRiver Diviesouth of Forres
Falls of FenderFender Burnnear Blair Atholl
Falls of Foyers (upper and lower sections)River FoyersFoyers
Falls of GlomachAbhainn GaorsaicGlen Elchaig
Falls of KeltneyKeltney BurnAppin of Dull
Falls of KirkaigRiver Kirkaignear Inverkirkaig
Falls of LenyGarbh Uisgenear Callander
Falls of LochayRiver Lochaynear Killin
Falls of MeasachAbhainn Dromanear Ullapool
Falls of MonessMoness Burnnear Aberfeldy
Falls of MonzieShaggie Burnnear Crieff
Falls of NessMachany Waternear Muthill
Falls of OrrinRiver Orrinnear Muir of Ord
Falls of PattackRiver Pattackeast of Loch Laggan
Falls of Rogie or Rogie FallsRiver Blackwaternear Contin
Falls of RoyRiver RoyGlen Roy
Falls of TarfTarf WaterGlen Tilt
Falls of the BraanRiver Braannear Dunkeld
Falls of the GlasalltGlas AlltGlen Muick
Falls of TurretTurret Burnnear Crieff
Falls of UnichWater of UnichGlen Lee
Foot LoupGrey Mare’s Tail Burn near Newton Stewart
ForsanBurn of MailCunningsburgh, Shetland

G

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Garnock Spout or Spout of GarnockRiver Garnocknear Lochwinnoch
Garpel LinnWhitehaugh Waternear Muirkirk
GillwhamKinharvie Burnnear New Abbey
Glenashdale Falls or Eas a’ ChrannaigGlenashdale Burn or Allt Dhepinnear Whiting Bay, Isle of Arran
Goat LinnCauldwell Sike near Newcastleton
Gotter LinnGotter Waternear Kilmacolm
Grey Mare's TailTail Burnnear Moffat
Grey Mare's TailGrey Mare's Tail Burnnear Newton Stewart
Grey Mare's TailAllt Coire na BaKinlochmore
Greymare's TailChurn Burn
Grey Mare's Tailunnamed streamnear Monreith
Grey Mare's TailJaw Burnnear Duntocher
Guisachan FallAllt na Sidheannear Tomich

H, I, J

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Hespies LinnPenkiln Burn near Newton Stewart
Hilly LinnShaw Burnnear Chesters
Hog Gill SpoutHog Gill
Inverlair FallsRiver SpeanGlen Spean
Inversnaid FallsArklet Water
IshneichGallangad Burnnear Alexandria

K

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Kettle CaldronAuchmantle Burnnear New Luce
Kidd’s LinnStaneshiel Burn in Liddesdale
Kilfinnan FallKilfinnan Burnnorth of Loch Lochy

L

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Lady’s LinnPenkiln Burnnear Newton Stewart
Laggan LinnWhite Laggan Burnnear Newton Stewart
The LinnBurn of Garbitynear Rothes
The LinnBack BurnOchil Hills
The LinnRiver LossieGlen Lossie
Linn of AvonRiver AvonGlen Avon
Linn of BarhoiseRiver Bladnochnear Kirkcowan
Linn of DeeRiver Deenear Inverey
Linn of MuickRiver MuickGlen Muick
Linn of QuoichQuoich Waternear Braemar
Linn of TanarRiver TanarGlen Tanar
Linn of TummelRiver Tummelnear Pitlochry
Linne ChumhannInnerhadden Burnnear Kinloch Rannoch
LinnfordGlen Burnnear Fairlie
Loup of FintryEndrick Waternear Fintry
Loup of KilfeddarMain Water of Lucenear New Luce
Loup of PenwhirnPenwhirn Burnnear New Luce
Loups of BarnshanganCross Water of Lucenear New Luce
Loups of DalnigapMain Water of Lucenear New Luce
Lynn SpoutCaaf Waternear Dalry

M, N

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Mealt WaterfallLoch Mealt outflownear Ellishadder, Isle of SkyeMurnoch SpoutMurchan Burnnear Lochwinnoch
Na h-EasainWater of NevisGlen Nevis
Ness Waterfallnear Coylton

O, P, Q, R

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Oykel FallsRiver Oykelnear Oykel Bridge
Peggie’s SpoutBin BurnKilsyth Hills
Puck's GlenEas Mòr burn, off River Eachaignear Benmore Botanic Garden
Plodda FallsAllt na Bodachannear Tomich
Reekie LinnRiver IslaGlen Isla
Rogie Falls (or Falls of Rogie)Black Waternear Contin

S

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Shepherd’s LinnBallintomb BurnStrathspey
Shin FallsRiver Shinnear Invershin
Spectacle E’e Fallsnear Strathaven
Spout of AchentallachSpout Burn
Spout of BalbowieCammal BurnFintry Hills
Spout of BallagganBallaggan Burnnear Strathblane
Spout of BallochleamBoquhan BurnGargunnock Hills
River Garnocknear Lochwinnoch
Spout LinnWaterhead Burnnear Eskdalemuir
Sput a’ ChleibhWater of RuchillGlen Artney
Sput BeagAllt Mornear Loch Lubnaig
Sput Dubhtributary stream to Loch Katrinenorth of Loch Katrine
Sput DubhAllt an Sput Dhuibhnear Lochearnhead
Sput DubhAllt a Choire Fhuadaraichnear Lochearnhead
Sput Dubhtributary stream to Loch Ardnear Aberfoyle
Sput DubhAllt na Cuilenear Brora
Sput Leacachon tributary of Brackland Burnnear Callander
Sput MorAllt Mornear Loch Lubnaig
Sput RollaRiver LednockGlen Lednock
Sputan BanAllt CoulavieGlen Affric
Steall Falls or An SteallAllt Coire a’ MhailGlen Nevis
Steall Abhainn na CloichAbhainn na Cloichnear Tolsta, Isle of Lewis
Steallair EunaichEas Eunaichnear Dalmally
Steallaire Bantributary of Allt Riabhachannear Inveraray
Stinchar FallsRiver StincharGalloway
Stonebyres FallsRiver Clyde
Stuck Chapel SpoutStuck Chapel BurnGlen Almond
The StulanThe Stulan BurnGlen Muick
Suie LinnWater of MinnochGalloway
Swallow CraigBlack Devonnear Saline

T

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Tairlaw Linnnear Straiton
Tommore LinnBallintomb BurnStrathspey
Torboll FallAbhainn an t-Sratha Charnaignear Rogart

U, V, W, X, Y, Z

width=30%Waterfall namewidth=25%River or streamwidth=10%OS Grid ref.width=35%general location
Victoria FallsAbhainn Garbhaigsouth of Loch Maree
Waukers LinnPolharrow Burnnear Dalry
White FallsRiver RoyGlen Roy
White SpoutFinglen Burnnear Lennoxtown
Whitespout LinnWhitespout LaneGalloway

References

Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale Explorer map series, sheets 309-470

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Epic Waterfalls Near Dundee: The 10 Best Waterfalls. 5 June 2021.
  2. possibly now removed by open-casting