Near Tomich, Cannich, Beauly IV4 7LY
Plodda Falls
Waterside landscape
Place photograph
8.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid parking
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.2A waterfall drops about 40 metres into a twisting gorge, reached by a forest walk beneath towering Douglas firs. The falls make a dramatic finale to the circular trail.
Plodda is more than a roadside cascade: the waterfall is the climax of a waymarked forest circuit through towering Douglas firs, with a close view into the gorge. Its remote approach is part of the outing, but the narrow road and rugged, stepped paths call for a little planning.
Dramatic · Wild · Remote
Find your way
Open mapNear Tomich, Cannich, Beauly IV4 7LY
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The experience
Allow about an hour for the 2.5 km waymarked circuit, though steep sections and steps make it a rugged rather than effortless stroll. Follow the green-and-white markers, pause at the upper platform, then take the path down to the base for the close view. The single-track access road and forest track require slow, considerate driving.
Things to do
Walk the Plodda Falls Trail
Follow the waymarked 2.5 km circuit through Douglas fir forest to the falls. The route is rugged, with steps and steep sections.
About 1 hour
See the falls from the wooden platform
Take the upper viewpoint for a first, more distant view of the waterfall before continuing towards the base.
Descend to the base of the falls
Follow the signed downhill path to see the cascade plunge into the twisting gorge at close range. The route guide warns that visitors may get soaked when the falls are in spate.
Notice the Douglas firs and old carriage drive
The trail passes Douglas firs described by the route guide as among Scotland’s highest, through a landscape associated with Lord Tweedmouth’s estate and its old carriage drive.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour; 2.5 km circuit
Quick Escape: waterfall viewpoints
- 01
Start at Plodda Falls car park and follow the green-and-white markers for the Plodda Falls Trail.
- 02
Take the signed path to the wooden platform for the first elevated view.
- 03
Continue down to the foot of the falls for the close gorge view, then follow the waymarked route back.
Half day · Half day; the walk itself is about 1 hour
Make a half day of it: falls, forest and Tomich
- 01
Take the 2.5 km Plodda Falls circuit, leaving time for both the upper platform and the viewpoint at the base.
- 02
After the walk, consider the Coach House Café in Tomich, which Forestry and Land Scotland lists as serving snacks; check opening before setting out.
- 03
If you have more time, use the supplied visitor guidance to plan a separate Glen Affric outing. Treat it as a separate drive and check conditions and access details first.
Verified history
The route guide says this area was once part of Lord Tweedmouth’s grand estate, where he planted the Douglas firs and built the old carriage drive. It also reports that trees from the wood were used for the masts of Captain Scott’s ship Discovery, now berthed in Dundee.
Hidden details
A forest connection to Captain Scott’s Discovery — The route guide says timber from this wood was used for the masts of Captain Scott’s ship Discovery. Look for the towering Douglas firs along the signed trail that provides this connection to the landscape.
The falls are best seen from more than one angle — The route guide says the first distant platform view gives only a partial impression; continue to the path at the base for the close view into the gorge.
When to go
· Not specified by the supplied sources.
No seasonal peak is established in the supplied evidence. Check Forestry and Land Scotland local alerts and trail conditions before travelling.
The route is rugged, with steps and steep sections. The route guide notes that visitors can get soaked near the falls when they are in spate. Check current alerts and conditions.
The route
- ascent
- 94 m
- surface
- Waymarked paths; rugged with steps in places
- distance
- 2.5 km / 1.5 miles
- duration
- 1 hour
- difficulty
- Rugged; steps and some steep sections
- waymarking
- Green-and-white markers
- route shape
- Circuit
- start point
- Plodda Falls car park; signed road from Tomich. Grid reference NH 279 237 in the route guide.
- parking start
- Forestry and Land Scotland lists paid parking at the car park. IV4 7LY is on the access road; continue about 2.8 km to the car park. The approach includes narrow road and forest track.
- Towering Douglas firs
- Wooden platform with an upper view of the falls
- Path down to the base of the waterfall and gorge
- Old carriage-drive landscape
Worth pairing with
Coach House Café, Tomich
Forestry and Land Scotland lists the café as serving snacks; check opening before visiting.
Glen Affric
Visit Inverness Loch Ness suggests combining Plodda Falls with Glen Affric. Plan it as a separate outing and check current access and conditions.
Cannich
Forestry and Land Scotland notes places to eat and a shop in Cannich; confirm what is open before travelling.
What to look for
Look for the towering Douglas firs along the forest track, the old carriage-drive landscape, the first distant view from the wooden platform and the waterfall’s full drop from the path at its base. The supplied route guide notes that trees from this wood were used for the masts of Captain Scott’s ship Discovery.
The story
Lord Tweedmouth’s estate planting; Douglas fir timber from the wood was used for the masts of Captain Scott’s ship Discovery.
Best time to go
Check conditions before setting out; no particular seasonal peak is verified by the supplied sources.
No source verifies a best time of day or season. Check current local alerts and weather before setting off; wet weather can make the rugged trail more demanding.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A public forest destination with signed trails and waterfall viewpoints. The route includes rugged paths, steps and steep sections. Check current Forestry and Land Scotland alerts before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Forestry and Land Scotland lists paid parking: £2 for up to 1 hour, £3 for up to 3 hours and £5 all day; Blue Badge holders park free. The IV4 7LY postcode is on the access road, not at the car park; continue about 2.8 km to the car park. Check current charges and payment options before travel.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Forestry and Land Scotland lists the Coach House Café in Tomich and places to eat and a shop in Cannich; check opening before travelling.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The supplied source describes rugged paths, steps and steep sections. Google source-row data says the entrance is not wheelchair accessible; wheelchair-accessible seating is listed. Check directly for current route accessibility.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid parking; other costs not verified
Water
Waterfall
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Plodda Falls
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
