Plodda Falls

One of Scotland’s most spectacular waterfalls

One of Scotland’s hidden treasures, with a spectacular waterfall cascading past towering trees.

Lord Tweedmouth, a rich brewer and Liberal Member of Parliament bought this area from Laird Fraser in 1856. He planted the magnificent Douglas fir, larch, grand fir and redwoods, and built Guisachan House. The house is long gone, but the legacy of fine trees lives on.

Walking trails

Plodda Falls route card (PDF)

Walking

Plodda Falls Trail

Visit an amazing vertical cascade dropping beneath the Douglas firs into the Abhainn Deabhag with an almighty roar.

Mostly firm gravel surface, with uneven section that may be narrow, grassy or muddy. Steep slopes with some stone steps. Includes some exposed tree roots.

½ miles / 1.0 km

Allow
½ hour

More information

This short walk will take you to a heart-stopping view right over the top of the Falls! The story goes that Lord Tweedmouth, who owned the estate in the 1800s, had the course of the river changed to make the falls even more impressive.

Walking

Tweedmouth Trail

Wander through the majestic Douglas firs and larch, planted by Lord Tweedmouth on the former Guisachan estate.

Uneven gravel and earth paths with narrow and rocky sections. Several steep slopes and sets of stone steps. Includes some potentially muddy sections and exposed tree roots.

1 ½ miles / 2.4 km

Allow
1 hour

More information

This circuit follows the river back to the bottom of the falls, so you can hear the thunder of the water as it hits the rocks, as well as experience the giddy heights of the view from the top.

Facilities and access

Walking

Parking

Viewpoint

Picnic area

Getting to Plodda is quite an adventure: it’s 5 miles (8 km) beyond the tiny village of Tomich, along narrow road and forest track. Drive slowly, and pull over to let other cars pass at the passing places. Be warned that there is no mobile phone reception in the glen, so you won’t be able to use electronic maps that rely on a network connection.

The Coach House Café in Tomich serves snacks, and there are places to eat and a shop in Cannich. There are no cafés or shops in Glen Affric itself.

Getting here

From Inverness or Fort William, follow the A82 along Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit. Turn onto the A831, signposted for Canaich (Cannich). After about 10 miles (16 km), at a sharp right-hand bend before you reach Cannich village, turn left onto a minor road signposted for Tomich. Follow this road for about 6¼ miles (10 km), going through Tomich village. It's a narrow road - and after Tommich just a forest track – but keep going and you’ll reach the car park at grid reference NH 279 238.

Using SatNav?

IV4 7LY is a postcode on the road leading to Plodda. Keep going for another 1¾ mile (2.8 km) to reach the car park.

Public transport

Buses run from Inverness to Tomich and Cannich throughout the year. For details visit Traveline Scotland.

Get directions