Arbirlot, around 2 miles west of Arbroath, Angus, Scotland

Arbirlot Falls

Waterside landscape

Source image

6.2

Wildland

Half day

Time

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Cost

Peaceful

Feel

RiversideVillageWalkersFamiliesDogsPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.2

A 23-foot cascade on the Elliot Water is the standout feature of a four-mile trail that follows a former railway trackbed through Angus countryside.

The falls bring a memorable focal point to a walk with more than scenery: the route follows the Elliot Water and an old railway line once used to carry local roofing slate. It is a modest-scale outing, best experienced as part of the trail rather than as a grand waterfall spectacle.

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Arbirlot, around 2 miles west of Arbroath, Angus, Scotland

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The experience

Make the falls the centrepiece of a walk rather than treating them as a standalone major attraction. The four-mile Arbirlot Natural Trail follows the Elliot Water between Elliot and the village, using a former railway trackbed for part of the way.

Things to do

See the Elliot Water cascade

Visit the 23-foot waterfall that Visit Angus identifies as one of the memorable features of the Arbirlot Natural Trail.

Walk the Arbirlot Natural Trail

Follow the four-mile family-friendly trail beside the Elliot Water between Elliot and Arbirlot, including a section on a former railway trackbed.

Notice the old railway route

The trail follows the trackbed of a former Angus railway. Visit Angus says the line served nearby slate workings and transported roofing stone towards Arbroath and Dundee.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Not stated in the supplied sources

A short visit to the falls

01
Reach the falls via the Arbirlot Natural Trail; check the approach and footing before descending.
02
Pause to view the cascade on the Elliot Water, described by Visit Angus as 23 feet high.
03
Return by the same approach unless you have checked the trail route and conditions.

Half day · Not stated in the supplied sources

Follow the Arbirlot Natural Trail

01
Start at the small public car park at Elliot, just off the A92, as described by Visit Angus.
02
Follow the four-mile trail alongside the Elliot Water towards Arbirlot.
03
Make the falls the main stop, then continue into the village or return according to your route and conditions.

Verified history

The Arbirlot Natural Trail follows the trackbed of an old Angus railway. Visit Angus reports that the line served slate quarries around a mile north of Arbirlot and that, in the late eighteenth century, it carried locally mined roofing slate to Arbroath and Dundee. The same source says the village dates back at least to 1000 AD and that Danish invaders are believed to have destroyed its first church; this is presented as a belief, not a firmly established event.

Hidden details

A waterfall beside an old mineral railway — The riverside walk also follows a railway trackbed associated with local slate quarrying. Look for the change in character between the river path and the former railway alignment; no surviving railway structures are confirmed by the supplied sources.

When to go

· Not specified by the supplied sources.

No seasonal guidance is provided in the supplied sources.

Check current conditions and footing before visiting. A supplied video account describes loose-feeling ground on the approach to the falls.

The route

surface: A section follows a former railway trackbed described as a well-graded path; other surfaces are not specified.
distance: Four miles for the Arbirlot Natural Trail
difficulty: Not stated by the supplied sources
start point: Small public car park at Elliot, just off the A92, according to Visit Angus.
parking start: Visit Angus identifies a small public car park at Elliot as the walk start. Check current availability and arrangements.
shorter alternative: Visit the falls from the trail without committing to the full four-mile walk; the supplied sources do not specify a shorter route or exact approach distance.

Arbirlot Falls, a 23-foot cascade on the Elliot Water
Riverside walking
Former railway trackbed associated with local slate transport

What to look for

Look for the 23-foot cascade on the Elliot Water, then notice how the trail follows the former railway trackbed. The railway served local slate workings and carried roofing stone towards Arbroath and Dundee.

The story

Local railway and quarrying history; the railway carried roofing slate from nearby workings towards Arbroath and Dundee.

Best time to go

Not specified by the supplied sources; check local conditions before visiting.

The supplied sources do not identify a best season or time of day. Check path and river conditions before visiting, particularly if planning to descend close to the falls.

How long to spend

Half day

Perfect for

Walkers · Families · Dogs · Photographers

Practical information

Opening & access

The falls are a feature of the Arbirlot Natural Trail, which follows the Elliot Water between Elliot and Arbirlot. Visit Angus describes the trail starting at a small public car park near the A92 at Elliot. Check current access and path conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

A small public car park at Elliot, just off the A92, is given as the trail start by Visit Angus. Check availability and current arrangements before travelling.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs are welcome according to Visit Angus; follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Accessibility

Visit Angus lists parking, but the supplied information does not establish accessible routes to the falls. A video account cautions that the descent has loose-feeling ground and requires care with footing.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

River — Elliot Water. No swimming or paddling permission is evidenced.