Falls for your loving

Scotland has some stunning waterfalls. Emma Newlands picks five of her favourites

The Scottish landscape is notorious for being dramatic, and its many spectacular waterfalls are no exception.

Some you can swim at, others are more in the James Bond mould involving five hour long hikes and crossing hair-raising wire bridges to be reached – and another is said to be twice as high as Niagra.

Through the ages many of the falls have inspired poets, authors and, nowadays, Hollywood film makers who have taken advantage of their striking scenery.

A spectacular experience is Steall Falls, at Glen Nevis, a 15 minute drive from Fort William. Steall literally means torrent or waterfall in Gaelic, and it is here that the River Nevis tumbles down from the surrounding mountains heading towards the sea.

The site has become a Mecca recently for visitors, not only for its beauty, but also because it was used as a filming location for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for scenes for the Triwizard Tournament.

Less recently, filming for Braveheart took place here as well as extensively in the surrounding Glen Nevis area.

Leading up to the falls is a short but pleasant walk over rocky ground. The gorge, where you can admire the wild flowers, Highland cattle and spectacular views, eventually opens up to reveal a hanging valley with Steall Falls pouring into the scene from high above.

Muggles and wizards alike will find plenty to enjoy, although a flying broomstick may be a preferable alternative to crossing the precarious three-wire bridge to reach the incredible views...

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• By : Emma Newlands
• In : Outdoor Scotland
• Issue : 27
• Page : 24
• Words : 1,183