Best Waterfalls Near Inverness
Written by UK Hidden Gems Editorial
Updated 5 August 2026
The best waterfalls near Inverness are Culnaskiach Falls, Falls of Orrin, Falls of Divach, Rogie Falls, Culligran Falls, Corrimony Falls, Invermoriston Falls and Eas na Muice.
The Highland capital makes a fine base for chasing waterfalls, with wild glens fanning out in every direction. West of the city, near Kiltarlity, Culnaskiach Falls hides deep in Boblainy Forest, while the Falls of Orrin thunder through a gorge on the Fairburn estate by Muir of Ord.
Follow the road down Loch Ness and Glen Urquhart offers the tall Falls of Divach above Drumnadrochit, with Corrimony Falls further up the same glen. Carry on to Invermoriston, where the River Moriston tumbles beneath an old Telford bridge.
Northwest, near Contin, Rogie Falls draws crowds for its leaping salmon and bouncing footbridge. Deeper into the hills, gated Glen Strathfarrar guards two quiet falls, Culligran and Eas na Muice, on the River Farrar and its side burns.
Some of these lie a good drive away, out where the glens narrow and the roads thin, but each rewards the effort with proper Highland scenery. Here are eight waterfalls to seek out near Inverness.
Culnaskiach Falls
Photo: valenta via Geograph.org.uk
Culnaskiach Falls West of Inverness, beyond the village of Kiltarlity, Culnaskiach Falls lies tucked away in the depths of Boblainy Forest. Here a burn drops off a grey rock face into a narrow gorge, a modest trickle in dry spells but a forceful rush after heavy rain.
Getting there is half the adventure: you reach it only on foot, following forest tracks that eventually fade into a rough, sometimes pathless route, with a burn to cross along the way. This is very much a fall for confident walkers happy to navigate their own line rather than a signposted attraction, so pick a clear day, wear stout boots and bring a map.
Falls of Orrin
Photo: Gordon Brown via Geograph.org.uk
Falls of Orrin A little further out, near Muir of Ord, the Falls of Orrin drop some fifteen metres through a rocky gorge on the Fairburn estate. The Orrin is a salmon river, and the falls form a leap where fish battle their way upstream, helped along by an old fish ladder built for a Victorian hydro scheme.
Ruined and revived hydro structures still stand around the gorge, hinting at the water's working past. A circular walk on the estate carries you to the falls through quiet country well away from the main tourist routes, so you may well have the place largely to yourself.
Falls of Divach
Photo: Richard Webb via Geograph.org.uk
Falls of Divach Over on the west side of Loch Ness, in the hills above Drumnadrochit, the Falls of Divach plunge around a hundred feet in a single drop on the Divach Burn. A short walk through oak woodland brings you to a viewpoint gazing onto the tall, narrow fall, an easy outing for such a dramatic reward.
From here the burn runs on down to join the River Coiltie and reach Loch Ness at Urquhart Bay. As a Forestry and Land Scotland site, it comes with parking and a picnic area at the start, making it an ideal stop if you are exploring Glen Urquhart or breaking a journey along the loch.
Rogie Falls
Photo: Steven Brown via Geograph.org.uk
Rogie Falls Northwest of Inverness, near Contin and a few miles west of Strathpeffer, Rogie Falls tumbles along the Black Water in a lovely stretch of forest. From the car park, a waymarked trail of about ten minutes leads to a narrow suspension bridge that bounces cheerfully underfoot and gives a head-on view of the water, with a salmon ladder built beside the main drop.
Come in late summer or autumn and you may watch wild salmon hurling themselves up the falls on their journey upstream, a real Highland spectacle. Woodland paths carry on around the river for a gentle wander, which makes this one of the more popular and family-friendly falls.
Culligran Falls
Photo: valenta via Geograph.org.uk
Culligran Falls Deeper into the hills southwest of Inverness, near Struy, Culligran Falls sits on the River Farrar in beautiful Glen Strathfarrar. The glen is a nature reserve reached by a gated private road, which keeps it wonderfully quiet and little visited, so you will not be jostling for space here.
A hydro scheme on the river regulates the flow that comes over the falls, so the water can vary depending on conditions. This is an out-of-the-way fall in a classic wooded Highland glen, well worth the drive for anyone who values peace and solitude over crowds.
Check the access arrangements for the gated road before you plan your trip.
Corrimony Falls
Photo: valenta via Geograph.org.uk
Corrimony Falls Back in Glen Urquhart, west of Loch Ness, Corrimony Falls drops on the River Enrick a good few miles from the nearest road. You reach it on foot, on a walk that begins at the ancient Corrimony chambered cairn and follows tracks through an RSPB reserve.
That reserve is a fine place for birdwatching, home to upland species such as black grouse and Scottish crossbill, so keep your eyes and ears open as you go. An upper viewpoint looks out over the fall, with a steep scramble down to the river below for those wanting a closer look.
Invermoriston Falls
Photo: Bill Henderson via Geograph.org.uk
Invermoriston Falls Down the western shore of Loch Ness, in the village of Invermoriston, the River Moriston pours over broad steps of rock just before it reaches the loch. An old stone bridge built by Thomas Telford crosses right above the falls, now left to walkers beside the newer road bridge, and it makes a splendid vantage point.
On the bank stands a small stone summer house, put there long ago as a spot for watching salmon leap the water. A short walk from the road brings you to the falls, which explains why this is such a popular stop for anyone driving down the side of the loch.
Eas na Muice
Photo: Chris Eilbeck via Geograph.org.uk
Eas na Muice Furthest out of all, Eas na Muice, the waterfall of the pig, drops through a ravine high in Glen Strathfarrar. It runs on a hill burn tumbling down towards the glen floor, at the point where open moorland gives way to the steeper, wooded slopes above the river.
As with Culligran, this is a gated nature reserve with restricted vehicle access, so the glen stays gloriously quiet and sees few visitors. There are no paths or facilities at the fall itself, so you will need to find your own way across rough ground once you are there.
It is a long drive and a proper Highland adventure, best kept for a fine day.
FAQs
Which waterfall near Inverness is best for spotting salmon?
Rogie Falls near Contin is the top choice, with a salmon ladder beside the main drop and wild salmon leaping the water in late summer and autumn. Invermoriston Falls on Loch Ness was also once watched from a purpose-built summer house.
How far are these waterfalls from Inverness?
They range from around twenty minutes to well over an hour. Closer ones like Culnaskiach and the Falls of Orrin sit near Kiltarlity and Muir of Ord, while remote Eas na Muice in Glen Strathfarrar is a much longer drive from Inverness.
Do any of the falls suit an easy family visit?
Yes. Rogie Falls near Contin and the Falls of Divach above Drumnadrochit both have parking and short, well-made trails, making them the gentlest options for families exploring the glens west of Inverness.
Conclusion
The glens around Inverness hold some of the finest waterfalls in the Highlands, and there is something here for every kind of visitor. If you want an easy afternoon, Rogie Falls near Contin and the Falls of Divach above Drumnadrochit offer big rewards for little effort.
For a longer expedition, gated Glen Strathfarrar guards Culligran Falls and remote Eas na Muice, while Corrimony Falls asks for a good walk through its RSPB reserve. Invermoriston makes an easy stop on the road down Loch Ness, and the Falls of Orrin and Culnaskiach reward those willing to venture off the beaten track.
Check access, watch the weather and give yourself time for the longer drives. Whether you fancy a gentle stroll or a wild day out, these are the waterfalls to seek out near Inverness.
