7 EPIC Waterfalls on the NC500
The North Coast 500 is the most popular road trip in the UK and is Scotland's answer to route 66. This stunning coastal route includes many beautiful beaches, as well as plenty of other hidden gems, including waterfalls.
In this post, we share the best waterfalls on the NC500 route that you must add to your North Coast 500 itinerary.
Waterfalls are a great highlight on your NC500 trip. Scotland sees on average up to 3,000mm of rain per year, meaning the power of the waterfalls on the NC500 is likely to be incredible. In this post we will go into more details on our favourite waterfalls on the North Coast 500.
Fairy Glen Falls
Wailing Widow Falls
Rogie Falls
Black Water Falls
Falls of Shin
Big Burn Falls
Falls of Measach
Fairy Glen Falls
The Fairy Glen Falls is a beautiful waterfall located not far from the small town of Rosemarkie. The walk is around 30 minutes through a woodland trail which is unpathed and can be rough underfoot. Continue to follow the path and it will be obvious when you reach the first waterfall. It sits around 5 meters high and is an impressive photography spot. Follow the stairs up the dirt path and you will arrive at the second waterfall which also sits around 5 meters high. The second waterfall flows into a larger pool of water however this is very shallow.
Fairy Glen Falls
Wailing Widow Falls
The Wailing Widow Falls is one of Scotland’s most impressive waterfalls.The 50ft waterfalls drops from Loch na Gainmhich, which is surrounded by nearby mountains in the middle of Scotland’s remote west coast. The Wailing Widow Falls can be viewed from the top and the bottom of the waterfall, depending on the angle you prefer. If you have a drone, we believe that this is the best angle to capture the waterfall spilling out of the loch.
Wailing Widow Falls
Rogie Falls
Rogie falls is one of the many Forestry Commission attractions in the Ross-shire region in the northern highlands. It is enjoyed by many for its simple walking routes and beautiful waterfalls. There are a number of areas to view the Rogie falls, the best one being on the suspension bridge sitting directly in front of the falls. The best time to go is first thing in the morning when it is a lot quieter and you won’t have anyone in front of your view. It will also be a lot more peaceful at this time. There is a small car park with space for around 20 cars which will get very busy during peak season. There are also toilets and bins on site.
Rogie Falls
Black Water Falls
The Black Water Falls are a much less visited, however not less beautiful, falls located near Rogie Falls. Black Water Falls can be viewed from the road, however we would advise parking in the small car park and going for a walk around the falls. There are also toilet facilities in the car park.
There are multiple layers to the waterfalls and as the name suggests, the water is extremely black.
Black Water Falls
Falls of Shin
Hidden just off the main route of the NC500, the peaceful Falls of Shin is a must-visit attraction on Scotland’s Route 500. This small collection of waterfalls has an easily accessible viewing platform, toilets, a visitor centre and cafe, and is also the perfect place to watch the annual migration of leaping salmon.
Linking Loch Shin and the Kyle of Sutherland, River Shin is a common commute for the Atlantic salmon as they make their annual migration to breed.
If you are wanting to stay at the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre for longer, there is a huge choice of nature walks to enjoy or you can simply relax with a coffee while the kids enjoy the outdoor adventure area.
Falls of Shin
Big Burn Falls
A hidden gem located in Golspie is the Big Burn Falls. This spectacular waterfall sits at the and the end of a short walk, named the Big Burn Walk.
The car park for Big Burn Falls sits just up the road from the Golspie Inn. It is a small car park, that can fill up during peak season, with a narrow one-way road leading to it.
Follow the path from the car park, through the gorge and across the zig-zag bridges. The scenery is gorgeous walking through the forest. Big Burn Falls sits at the end of a wooden viewing platform which you will need to walk to the end of to get a glimpse of the the falls pouring into the river below.
Big Burn Falls
Falls of Measach
The Falls of Measach sits at the head of the Corrieshalloch Gorge and is one of the most impressive waterfalls on the NC500. There is a short walk to a suspension bridge that sits high up above the mile long canyon with brilliant views of the Falls of Measach.
This waterfall is free to visit daily and is part of the National Trust for Scotland. The falls are located just outside of Ullapool on the west coast of Scotland.
Falls of Measach
Destination North Coast Map
Make sure you have all the resources you need to make the most of your trip to the North Coast of Scotland. Our Destination North Coast Map is the perfect addition to any traveller's toolkit. With detailed information on all the best spots, along the NC500, this map is your ultimate guide to exploring the rugged beauty of Scotland's north coast.
So there you have it, the best waterfalls along the North Coast 500. If you have visited the NC500 recently, let us know what you thought of the sights listed above, or if you have any suggestions for other waterfalls, let us know in the comments below.
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