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"Nature is ever at work building and pulling down,
creating and destroying, keeping everything whirling and flowing ......" John Muir
Perthshire excels at waterfalls. Described below are some of the most popular, including four notable wild salmon leaps (listed first).
Top Salmon Spotting Tips
October and November are the prime times for salmon leaping.
Salmon are active after heavy rain (as the river levels rise), especially when this follows a dry spell, when the river levels have been low.
At this time adult salmon are heading upstream to spawn and will jump repeatedly at obstacles such as waterfalls. You might see the same salmon jumping several times.
Salmon don't eat anything once they enter freshwater, sometimes many months ago, and, their endurance goes down with falling water temperatures. Salmon have to rest for a period between each jump.
If jumping conditions are good, the number of salmon left jumping decreases as some conquer the waterfall.
(`Top Tips`and salmon photographs kindly supplied by the Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory, Pitlochry)
For more information about the King of the River and also on the famous manmade Pitlochry Fish Ladder see Wild Atlantic Salmon
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Buchanty Spout, Easter Glenalmond, near Crieff - SALMON LEAP
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The Spout is a dramatic pothole and powerful waterfall on the River Almond and is probably the best site in Perthshire for enjoying the spectacle of leaping wild Atlantic salmon. In the late autumn the salmon fight their way up through the gushing torrents, determinedly pressing on to reach their spawning grounds upstream. You can get closer to leaping salmon here than at any other site in the area however caution is required on the rocks near to the waterfall.
Walking: There are no well known walks in the immediate vicinity of the Spout. The closest good walk begins at Newton Bridge in the Sma Glen (5 miles/8km further north, off the A822) - a fantastic riverside walk through Wester Glenalmond.
Location: At Buchanty (off the B8063) approximately 8 miles/13km north of Crieff. A path leads from the small car park down to the falls. Care required at all times.
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Linn of Tummel, by Pitlochry - SALMON LEAP
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The Linn of Tummel (gaelic for `pool of the tumbling stream`) is the meeting place of the Rivers Garry and Tummel and features a series of picturesque rocky rapids in a beautiful setting. It is a lovely place for a picnic and there are good views of the falls and salmon action from the river bank. Part of the surrounding area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and, as well as Atlantic salmon, the area is home to otter, pine marten and red squirrel. Scots pine, Douglas fir and Lily of the Valley grace the surrounding woodland. The Linn of Tummel is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.
Walking:There is an easy going walk of 2 miles/3km nearby and the area is part of the Pitlochry Walks Network which gives access to many excellent longer options. Leaflet and further information from Pitlochry Tourist Information Centre.
Location: 2.5miles/4km north of Pitlochry. Coming from the south, travel up the A9, just past the first turn to Pitlochry take a right turn down the minor road (signposted Foss). This road goes back under the A9 and then runs along the side of the Loch Faskally. Small parking area at Clunie Power Station.
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Falls of Braan, The Hermitage, Dunkeld - SALMON LEAP
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One of the most popular beauty spots in Perthshire, The Hermitage is an outstanding grove of giant trees beside the waterfalls, rapids and swirling pools of the River Braan. The Hermitage is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.
What you see today is a picturesque landscaped `wild tree garden` created by successive Dukes of Atholl. Visitors today can marvel at a oak, rowan and Scot's Pine and also see one of the tallest trees in Britain – a majestic Douglas fir measured at 64.5metres (212ft) and still growing at the side of the `black pool`, near to the bend in the river. The `black pool` is so named because as the waters calm down after thundering through the falls, their peaty content makes them look black – a strong contrast with the foaming white water higher up river.
Above the waterfall is the romantic folly known as Ossian’s Hall. This 18th century summerhouse once had mirrors covering the walls and ceiling to reflect the waterfall and create the illusion of water pouring in all directions! Today the mirrors are gone but it’s still a superb viewpoint. Also look out for Ossian’s Cave, a dark little vault, constructed as another folly. A small 18th century bridge crosses the River Braan just beyond the amphitheatre of great trees and a number of delightful footpaths stretch out in the woodland beyond. From late summer into autumn salmon can often be seen jumping up the waterfall.
Walking: The Braan Walk follows a riverside and woodland path for 3¾ miles/6km. This route forms part of the Dunkeld and Birnam Waymarked Walks network and an excellent leaflet is available from the VisitScotland Information Centre in Dunkeld.
Location: Walk from the centre of Birnam or use the car parks at Inver (off A822) or
at The Hermitage (off A9, 1 mile/1.5km north-west of Dunkeld)
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Cargill's Leap, River Ericht, Blairgowrie - SALMON LEAP
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The River Ericht runs close to the centre of Blairgowrie and takes its name from the Scots Gaelic word for `beauteous`! The banks of the river provide a delightful walk at any time of year with plenty of natural and historical interest en route. The route along the riverbank passes through pleasant mixed woodland to the Falls of Ericht, a narrow stretch of the river that incorporates Donald Cargill's leap - site of a daring feat by a 17th century Covenanter. For many years brave local people tried to emulate Cargill's feat - most were, however, unsuccessful and, failing to reach the safety of the opposite bank, fell into the icy river beneath! In an attempt to put a stop to this `game` (and to help the salmon get upstream against the strong current) a former Town Council dynamited and widened the river. So the `leap` you see today is much wider than in Donald's time. Cargill's Leap is popular with wild salmon in the autumn.
Walking: The River Ericht Walk extends to 8 miles/ 13km and can be extended onto the nearby hill known as The Knockie. This walk and a further 4 routes in the area are described in the Blairgowrie Walks leaflet.
Location: Park in the centre of Blairgowrie or at the small riverside car park.
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Falls of Moness at the Birks of Aberfeldy, Aberfeldy
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National poet Robert Burns visited this spot on his travels in 1787 and was so entralled by its beauty that he penned the famous poem `The Birks of Aberfeldie`. The spectacular Falls of Moness (Upper and Lower Falls) tumble through an ancient gorge lined with birch, oak and ash trees. A place of immense natural power and beauty in any season but perhaps most photogenic in the cooler days of late autumn.
Walking: Moderate going circular walk on a steep, well defined path. 2.5miles/4km. Excellent viewpoints and some woodland seats. Leaflet and further details from the VisitScotland Information Centre in Aberfeldy.
Location: Car park off the A826 or short walk through the Lower Birks from the centre of Aberfeldy. Small picnic area in car park
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Falls of Acharn, Acharn, by Loch Tay
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Impressive waterfall and man-made cavern on the southern shore of Loch Tay. The platform is a good spot from which to appreciate the height of the falls and the rugged views to the north - Drummond Hill above Kenmore and the majestic Ben Lawers range.
Walking: The walk from the small village of Acharn to the falls is fairly short -1 mile/0.75km there and back. Viewing platform.
Location: Situated in Acharn on the unclassified South Loch Tay Road that runs from Kenmore to Killin. Limited parking in the village.
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Falls of Bruar, Blair Atholl
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The earliest visitors to Scotland would have looked on the Bruar with horror - a raging peaty torrent plunging through a narrow ravine of layered rock. Subsequent road and bridge building meant safer travel through rural areas and led to the development of the Romantic movement and greater appreciation of the countryside. Literary figures such as Robert Burns also did much to foster the newly emerging interest in wild places. The poet visited Bruar during his travels in 1787. At that time the steep slopes were bare, so Burns wrote `The Humble Petition of Bruar Water` in which he urged the Duke of Atholl to plant its empty banks with trees. When the poet died in 1796, the duke created a `wild garden` in his memory, planting the riverbanks and establishing paths and bridges.
Walking: A short walk of approx 1.5 miles/2.4km affords good views of the dramatic watery scene. A route also taken by poet William Wordsworth, artist William Turner and Queen Victoria. The path is clearly defined but care is required in places. Leaflet and further details from the VisitScotland Information Centre in Pitlochry.
Location: In the village of Bruar just off the A9 north of Blair Atholl. Parking available at the House of Bruar (white building - high quality country shopping experience and tearoom). Access to the falls is on the south side of the building.
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The Black Spout, Pitlochry
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Black Spout Wood is situated to the south of the highland resort town of Pitlochry and takes its name from the impressive Black Spout waterfall, a 60 feet high whitestream of water on the Edradour Burn. A series of waymarked paths meanders through the wood, with linking footbridges constructed over the burns. Close to the waterfall, a carefully positioned viewing platform offers dramatic views. The route to the waterfall takes the walker through a delightful variety of woodland, including old oak trees, and there are many beautiful spots perfect for quiet reflection and being at one with nature. Walkers can follow the Edradour Burn to Edradour Distillery, the smallest distillery in Scotland, where welcoming drams and homebaking await.
Walking: The Edradour Walk follows an easy waymarked path for 3 miles/ 5km through Black Spout Wood and on to the moorland and Edradour Distillery beyond. Leaflet and further details from the VisitScotland Information Centre In Pitlochry.
Location: Black Spout is best accessed on foot from the centre of Pitlochry (off Atholl Road/Perth Road) where there are many options for car parking. Follow the route set out in the Walks Leaflet.
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Falls of Tarf, Glen Tilt, near Blair Atholl
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Enticingly remote, the falls take their name from the Scottish Gaelic `tarbh` meaning `bull stream or bull place` - evoking the mythological significance of the bull in the Celtic world. To see these falls you need to be prepared for a day expedition deep into the wild and lovely hill country north of Blair Atholl. Glen Tilt extends 11 miles /18km from the village and is generally accessed on foot or by mountain bike using the good tracks on Atholl Estates. A typical highland burn, the Tarf Water rises in the foothills of the Cairngorms before dividing into a number of tributaries at the Falls of Tarf, eventually joining forces with other streams to become the more powerful River Tilt. An old Victorian suspension bridge spans the falls.
Walking: Located at the head of Glen Tilt some 11 miles/ 18km from Blair Atholl. Mountain bike hire in the village. A waymarked trails leaflet from Atholl Estates Ranger Service has details of walking options but does not show the complete route to falls. Atholl Estates Ranger Service
Location: Isolated from habitation and the road network, north east of Blair Atholl - see above. Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 43 essential.
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Rumbling Bridge Falls, Dunkeld
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An old stone bridge spans the gorge high above the deep, rocky narrows and takes its name from the furious rumbling of the River Braan below.
Queen Victoria visited this spot in 1865 and was much impressed by the dramatic watery scene. In her diary she wrote that the flow was `most splendid` and that `swollen by rain, it came down with an immense volume of water, with a deafening noise`.
Landscape painter Sir John Millais stayed in nearby Rumbling Bridge Cottage when he worked on his well known landscape paintings "The Sound of Many Waters" (1876) and "St Martin's Summer" (1877). The River Braan was the inspiration for both these works.
Walking: See the waterfall and old bridge as part of the Braan Walk, a waymarked route that forms part of the Dunkeld and Birnam Walks network. An excellent leaflet is available from the VisitScotland Information Centre in Dunkeld.
Location: Upstream from the Falls of Braan at the Hermitage. Walk from the centre of Birnam
or use the car parks at Inver (off A822) or at The Hermitage (off A9, 1 mile/1.5km north-west of Dunkeld)
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Reekie Linn, by Alyth
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The `smoking pool` or Reekie Linn gushes over rocky slabs in a deep wooded gorge on the River Isla. After heavy rain the rising spray appears like smoke and explains the colourful name. (`Reek` is the old Scots word for smoke). Picnic site and small car park close by, on the B954.
Walking: Short walk on a rough path to reach the car park. Many walks in Glen Isla including the long distance Cateran Trail.
Location: 3 miles/5km north of Alyth on the B954
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Deil's Cauldron, Glen Lednock, Comrie
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The Deil's Cauldron, (Devil's Kettle) is a boiling waterfall in a huge, dark pothole, created at the end of the last Ice Age by water, ice and stones grinding out the surrounding rocks. The spot is said to be the preferred haunt of a brownie or water elf who entices victims down into the gloomy ravine. A specially constructed viewing platform means that you can enjoy the show in safety as part of the delightful Glen Lednock circular walk. A short way down stream is a set of rapids known as the Wee Cauldron.
Walking: In the lower reaches of the glen there is a way-marked circular walk (4 miles/6km) through mixed and conifer woodland. Optional detour off the main route up Dunmore Hill to the Melville Monument. The path is steep but the effort is well rewarded by magnificent views of Strathearn and the village of Comrie. Comrie Walks Leaflet available from local shops or the VisitScotland Information Centre in Crieff.
Location: Access to the walk is from the Glen Lednock Road – head north on unclassified road from Comrie village. Small car park.
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Rumbling Bridge Falls, Rumbling Bridge, near Kinross
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This is a noisy place of dramatic architecture, rock and water scenery. An unusual looking double bridge spans a narrow gorge, mixed woodland clings to the rocky upper reaches and far below the River Devon rushes through the dark ravine making a continual rumbling sound!
The original Rumbling Bridge, built without parapets in 1713, stands 80 feet above the water. The upper arch was added in 1816 to widen the road and ease the steep and dangerous gradients down to the old bridge. The newer bridge is 120 feet above the water.
There is a pathway through the gorge, built and maintained by the armed forces, which gives good views of the spectacular manmade and natural features. Look out for the aptly named Devil's Mill and the Falls of the Cauldron Linn, dark swirling pools in the gorge.
Walking: Walkers can also enjoy a riverside path linking Rumbling Bridge with the small village of Crook of Devon.
Location: Off the A823 2 miles/ 3km south of Yetts o' Muckhart.
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