Divach Falls, Drumnadrochit

Divach Falls after autumn rains

At Divach Falls, near Drumnadrochit, the Divach Burn spills over a cliff and falls 100 feet (30m) to a pool below. The burn then joins the River Coiltie and runs down to Urquhart Bay where it empties into Loch Ness.

The waterfall is very easy to reach via a signposted trail from a Forestry Commission Scotland parking area. It is about 300m to the viewing platform and it will take no more than 30 minutes to reach the falls and return to the parking area.

The appeal of Divach is not so much the waterfall, which is enjoyable but not spectacular, but the setting in an attractive oak woodland. The woodland is a haven for wildlife and birdlife and we've often seen interesting fungi growing beside the trail.

The waterfall in spring

How dramatic the waterfall is depends completely on how much rain there has been. We've been in the spring when the falls were pleasant enough but certainly not dramatic, and again in the autumn after a few rainy days when the roar of the water was deafening.

Divach Falls appears in our list of 22 Beautiful Scottish Waterfalls.

The woodland trail to the Falls

Getting There

The falls are not well signposted - indeed I have never seen any sign at all until you actually arrive at the Forestry Commission Parking area. Here's how to get there.

Turn off the A82 at Lewiston, on the southern edge of Drumnadrochit, onto Balmacaan Road, signposted to Balmacaan and Divach. After half a mile you come to a junction. It isn't immediately clear which fork is the correct one, but I can tell you from sad experience that you need to carry straight on (the right fork).

Continue on for another half mile, ignoring a lane heading off to the right and the road begins to climb up towards Clunemore Steadings. Look for a Forestry Commission parking area to the right of the road.

From the parking area a clearly signposted trail leads through oak woodland to the viewing platform.

Be aware that the area around the viewing platform can be muddy, so wear sensible footwear. You can return by the same route or take the obvious fork in the path to make a short circular walk through the very pleasant woodlands.

Fascinating fungi in the woods