11 Amazing Waterfalls On The Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye has a wide range of superb waterfalls. This post lists the best waterfalls on the Isle of Skye.
From blue pools to cascades pouring over a cliff, there is much to explore. Skye has some of the most incredible scenery in the country, the waterfalls look even more dramatic.
There are plenty of waterfalls on the Isle of Skye. In winter or early spring, waterfalls are visible in every direction as the snow melts off the Cuillins.
Some are visible from the roads and others require a small hike to get to.
Eas A’ Bhradain Waterfall
This is one of the most viewed waterfalls on the Isle of Skye. The falls are in an easy prime location and are on the main road as you enter the Isle of Skye from the mainland.
Located on the roadside next to the A87, you will pass this waterfall on the way to Dunvegan or Portree.
Eas A’Bhradain translates from Scottish Gaelic as ‘waterfall of the salmon’. This waterfall is located on the Allt Coire nam Bruadaran River.
There are two main tiers, you can walk up to the top. The ground is extremely wet and marshy, make sure you are wearing proper good waterproof shoes.
The waterfall is on the left of the roadside as you drive south to north, driving towards Portree. There is a small lay by at the foot of the falls.
Thankfully it is quite close and you can get a good view of the falls from the layby.
This an amazing sight, the Red Cuillins mountains are in the background, which creates a beautiful sight. Sligachan Old Bridge is a 10-minute drive from Eas A’Bhradain Waterfall.
Nearby Accommodation: Kinloch Ainort Apartments
Sligachan Waterfalls – Allt Daraich Falls
Sligachan Waterfall is only a short walk from Sligachan Bridge. This is a low-level waterfall rapid and is one of the scenic spots on the Isle of Skye.
The Black Cuillins are in the background. To get to the falls, cross the Sligachan Bridge, and walk along A863 for about 240 metres.
A footpath will appear on the left, follow this until you reach Allt Dearg Mor. Then follow the stream to the west. You will know you are at the falls when you see the bridge over the falls.
Nearby Accommodation: Sligachan Hotel
Bride’s Veil Falls
Bride’s Veil Falls is a scenic waterfall not too far from the Old Man of Storr and Portree.
The waterfall is right by the roadside and it is a worthwhile photo stop. You can get a photo from the bottom of the falls or walk to the top for a view of Loch Leatham and the Isle of Raasay.
Nearby Accommodation: Storr Apartments
Lealt Falls
The Lealt Falls is one of the many attractions on the Trotternish Peninsula. Located between the Old Man of Storr and Brothers Point.
Lealt Falls is not to be confused with Mealt Falls, also known Kilt Rock Falls.
Lealt Falls is easy to get to. There is a small car park just off the A855.
There is a new viewing platform which hangs high above the upper falls. It is a short and easy walk to the first viewpoint of the upper falls.
The lower falls are lovely however, they are more difficult to get to. To get to the Lower Falls, you have to follow 100 steps or so to the falls.
This is a rough descent, therefore, it is missed out by most visitors.
The second platform has fantastic coastal views. Also, there are old bothies which used to be used by the salmon fishermen.
In addition, there are the remains and information boards regarding the factories that were used to process diatomite.
The factory was the eastern terminus of the Lealt Valley Diatomite Railway. The railway was set up in 1889.
The narrow railway line followed the course of the River Lealt to Loch Cuithir, where diatomite was quarried. At first, gravity pulled the railway and then a steam locomotive was installed.
The ruined building that you can see at the base of the cliffs is where the diatomite was dried, ground to a powder and calcined. Most of the processed diatomite was used in the dynamite at the Nobel works in Ardeer, in Northern Ayrshire.
Nearby Accommodation: Lealt Falls Apartment
Mealt Waterfalls
At Mealt Falls there is a gorgeous fast cascade that plunges 55 metres over the edge of a cliff and directly into the sea.
Located on the Isle of Skye’s Jurassic coast there are breath taking views of the dramatic cliffs at Kilt Rock in the background.
There is a free car park right next to the viewpoint at Mealt Falls. However, the parking is fairly limited.
Surprisingly, the falls are a couple of seconds’ walk away from the car park. This is one of the easiest waterfalls to view on the Isle of Skye.
As well as the waterfalls and Kilt Rock, there is a chance to see whales and dolphins in the sea.
Nearby Accommodation: Lochside
Rha Waterfalls
Rha Waterfall is a lovely two-tiered waterfall located in Uig Wood located near the village of Uig. This waterfall exceeded my expectations from the photos that I saw online before my visit.
This destination is not the biggest waterfall on the island. However, it can appear extremely powerful after a few days of rain.
The waterfall is surrounded by the green lush nature of Uig Wood.
There is a layby for parking just across from the Old Police House which is a convenient place to stop and park to view the falls. It is only a ten-minute walk from the parking in Uig across from the Old Police House.
This is a good stop to go to before heading to Fairy Glen. The Fairy Glen is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Skye.
This stop is a good wee detour between Fairy Glen and the Trotternish Peninsula.
Nearby Accommodation: Stones Luxury B&B
Talisker Waterfall
Talisker Waterfall is one of the lesser-known and least-visited waterfalls on the Isle of Skye.
The falls are located in the beautiful Talisker Bay. Talisker Waterfall plunges over a cliff at a height of 130 metres.
The water in this waterfall is fed from the Loch an Sguirr Mhoir. To get an amazing view of Talisker Waterfall you can head to Talisker Bay.
Also, a glimpse of Talisker Waterfall can be caught from the cliff edge.
Talisker Bay is a twenty-minute walk from Talisker. There is car parking near Talisker.
It is best to visit the bay during low tide, where you can scramble over the rocks to get to the bottom of the waterfall. The views from Talisker Bay are good enough anyway, so this trek is not necessary.
Also, Talisker Bay Waterfall is a brilliant sight from the water. If there is an opportunity to canoe or swim to the falls, this would be an amazing experience.
Seals are often spotted near the water edge frolicking in the water.
Nearby Accommodation: Heatherbell
Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are one of the most beautiful sights in Scotland. It has become one of the increasingly popular waterfalls on the Isle of Skye.
The Fairy Pools are located on the River Brittle near Glen Brittle.
This waterfall is unlike any other waterfall on the Isle of Skye due to the crystal clear and aqua blue water and series of pools.
The Isle of Skye’s Black Cuillins tower is high above the series of small cascades and river, making it one of the most scenic spots on the island.
It is possible to go wild swimming in the Fairy Pools, make sure you are prepared for the freezing temperatures.
The Fairy Pools are one of the most picturesque places to swim in Skye, you will see why it’s a popular choice.
For the most epic sightings and photographs. Head to the smaller pools which are closer to the Cuillins.
It is quieter up in this area and with fewer tourists around, there is more of a chance to get a good photograph.
There is a large car park across from the Fairy Pools. Parking costs £5 per car and there are toilet facilities.
From the car park, the Fairy Pools are approximately a 15-20 minute walk away. There is a gravel path to follow for most of the walk which goes slightly uphill.
Nearby Accommodation: Trien Lodge
Eas Mor Waterfall Walk, Glen Brittle
Eas Mor is one of the most dramatic waterfalls on the Isle of Skye. This water is located on Allt Coire na Bannachdich in the scenic Glen Brittle.
Eas Mor translates from Scottish Gaelic as ‘large waterfall’. This waterfall plunges 70 metres into the rocks below.
There are limited options for parking at Glen Brittle Memorial Hut on the road from Carbost to the mouth of the River Brittle. It is a short walk uphill to get a lovely view of the waterfall.
The short waterfall walk can be combined with a longer circular walk to Coire Lagan, an inland Lochan in the foothills of Black Cuillins. With the Cuillins rising high in the background, this is a breath taking sight.
Glen Brittle Waterfalls
Glen Brittle Waterfalls are similar to the Fairy Pools. This is a good alternative to Fairy Pools if it gets too crowded.
However, this is a quicker route and it is not as busy as the Fairy Pools. To get to the Glen Brittle Waterfall you can park for free at the Glen Brittle Hostel.
Glen Brittle Hostel is a five-minute drive from the Fairy Pools.
Carbost Burn Waterfall
Carbost Burn Waterfall is located on Skye’s Minginish Peninsula, five minutes from the road.
There is a small lay by which has enough parking space for two cars. A short scramble is required to get to the waterfall.
This is a lovely set of falls, even more, dramatic after a period of rain. In addition, there is a lovely pool at the bottom of the 24 metres waterfall which is a good spot for wild swimming.
As the name of the waterfall suggests, the waterfall is on Carbost Burn.
Approximately 1 kilometre from the point where the burn empties in Loch Harport at Carbost. The burn feeds into Talisker Distillery.
What is the biggest waterfall on the Isle of Skye?
Talisker Waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls on the Isle of Skye. The waterfall is 130 metres high and is mainly fed from Loch an Sguirr Mhoir above.
Talisker Waterfall plunges over the edge of the cliff and into the water of the bay below.
When the tide is out, you can attempt to climb over the rocks to get to the bottom of the waterfall. The best view of the waterfall is from the cliff edge or from the beach at Talisker Bay.
What waterfall goes into the ocean Isle of Skye?
Due to Skye’s rugged landscape, there are a few waterfalls which pour over the cliff into the ocean.
The most popular one is the Mealt Waterfalls which are located in the Trotternish Peninsula. There is a viewpoint next to the falls, with Kilt Rock in the background.
Talisker Waterfalls is another waterfall on the Isle of Skye which cascades over a cliff. This is one of the lesser-known waterfalls and is located in Talisker Bay.
Talisker Waterfall is a 130-metre-high waterfall, cascading over a cliff, with the water from Loch an Sguirr Mhoir above.
How do I get to Kilt Rock Waterfall?
The Kilt Rock Waterfall is also known as Mealt Waterfall. Mealt Waterfall is located in the Trotternish Peninsula, just off the A855. Next to all the other spectacular attractions including Brothers Point, Lealt Falls and the Storr.
The viewpoint for the falls is easy to get to, the car park is just off the road and the falls are right next to the car park.
Final Note
The post lists the best 11 waterfalls on the Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye has a mystical magical landscape and is home to lots of wonderful waterfalls.
It is almost impossible to view all the waterfalls on the island as there are so many. Some waterfalls can be viewed or spotted while driving along the roadside. Others require a short hike to get to.
There are so many things to do on the Isle of Skye, from Old Man of Storr to Fairy Glens, Skye is truly a magical place. Make sure you are prepared for all weather when visiting Skye.
The waterfalls are even more dramatic after a period of rainfall. Skye can be extremely busy during the summer, so it is best to visit during winter or autumn as they are the quieter times of the year.
The Highlands of Scotland and the North Coast 500 have some interesting waterfalls. Also, there are waterfalls near Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Stirling.
Finally, there are some lovely waterfall walks in other parts of the UK including the Lake District, Northumberland National Park and Northern Ireland.