Waterfalls on the Isle of Skye: 8 of the Best and How to Find Them
Waterfalls on the Isle of Skye are everywhere after a spell of rain, from roadside cascades on the Trotternish coast to the clear pools of Glen Brittle beneath the Cuillin.
Here are 8 of the best Skye waterfalls, with where to park, how far you need to walk and what to expect when you get there.
Isle of Skye Waterfalls at a Glance
Fairy Pools, Glen Brittle: paid car park, 15 to 20 minute walk to the first pools
Mealt Falls, Kilt Rock: paid car park, a few steps to the viewing platform
Lealt Falls, Trotternish: small car park, short walk to a viewing platform
Bride's Veil Falls, near the Storr: roadside pull-in on the A855
Rha Falls, Uig: layby parking, about 10 minutes through Uig Wood
Eas Mòr, Glen Brittle: limited parking, short uphill walk
Allt Daraich Falls, Sligachan: short walk from the A863
Glenbrittle Falls: a quieter alternative to the Fairy Pools
1. The Fairy Pools, Glen Brittle
The Fairy Pools are the most famous waterfalls on the Isle of Skye. A string of falls and clear pools runs down the River Brittle beneath the Black Cuillin, and on a bright day the water glows blue and green.
The car park is run by the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland and costs £8 per car or £10 per campervan, with toilets on site. From there it is a 15 to 20 minute walk on a gravel path to the first pools. The path crosses the river on stepping stones, which can be tricky after heavy rain.
Read our full guide to the Fairy Pools for everything you need to know before you go.
2. Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock
Mealt Falls drops about 55 to 60 metres from the clifftop straight into the sea, right beside the pleated dolerite columns of Kilt Rock. It is one of the easiest waterfalls on Skye to see, with a viewing platform a few steps from the car park on the A855 near Staffin.
The Highland Council car park has around 40 spaces and costs £3 for up to 2 hours, paid through RingGo. Our Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls guide covers the viewpoint and the best sights nearby.
3. Lealt Falls
A few miles south of Kilt Rock on the A855, the River Lealt drops through a deep gorge on its way to the sea. A viewing platform hangs over the upper falls, a short walk from a small car park beside the road.
The car park has a height restriction, so larger campervans may need to stop elsewhere. The lower falls are reached on a steep, rough path, so wear good boots if you want to go further.
4. Bride's Veil Falls
Bride's Veil Falls tumbles down a rock face right beside the A855 between Portree and the Old Man of Storr. There is a small pull-in by the road, so it makes an easy stop on the way to the Storr. Take care pulling in and out on this stretch of road.
5. Rha Falls, Uig
Rha Falls sits in Uig Wood, just above the village where ferries leave for the Outer Hebrides. Park in the layby opposite the Old Police House and follow the path through the trees for about 10 minutes to reach the falls.
6. Eas Mòr, Glen Brittle
Eas Mòr, meaning big waterfall in Gaelic, drops into a deep gorge below the Black Cuillin, further down Glen Brittle from the Fairy Pools. There is limited parking near the Glenbrittle Memorial Hut, and a short uphill path leads to the falls. Experienced walkers can carry on past the waterfall towards Coire Lagan.
7. Allt Daraich Falls, Sligachan
Close to Sligachan, Allt Daraich Falls is a short walk from the A863, with a footpath leading from the roadside to the falls. It is a handy stop if you are heading west towards Dunvegan or Glen Brittle. Read our guide to Allt Daraich Falls for directions.
8. Glenbrittle Falls
If you want somewhere quieter than the Fairy Pools, our guide to Glenbrittle Falls covers another set of falls and pools in the same glen.
Best Time to See Waterfalls on Skye
Skye's waterfalls are at their fullest after heavy rain, so a wet morning followed by a clear afternoon is ideal. In a long dry spell, the smaller roadside falls can slow to a trickle.
The wettest months are October to January. Met Office averages for Stornoway, across the Minch from Skye, show around 130 to 145 mm of rain a month at that time of year, compared with about 65 to 70 mm in May and June.
May and June bring the longest days and, on average, the most sunshine, which is the best time to see the Fairy Pools at their bluest.
Tips for Visiting Skye's Waterfalls
Have a bank card or the RingGo app ready, as most of the popular car parks now charge.
Wear waterproof boots. The paths at the Fairy Pools and Lealt Falls get muddy and the rocks are slippery when wet.
Stay behind the barriers at Mealt Falls and on the Lealt Falls viewing platform.
Many roads on Skye are single track. Use the passing places to let others by and never park in them.
Arrive early or late in the day for the best chance of a parking space.
Plan Your Trip with Destination Skye
Our Destination Skye guidebook covers the best sights on the island, where to eat and stay, and campervan facilities such as water points and waste disposal.
Building a route? Our 3-day Isle of Skye itinerary and our guide to the best walks on the Isle of Skye help fit these falls into a full trip.
FAQs about Waterfalls on the Isle of Skye
What is the most famous waterfall on the Isle of Skye?
The Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle are the best known. Mealt Falls at Kilt Rock is a close second, thanks to its drop straight into the sea.
Which waterfall on Skye falls into the sea?
Mealt Falls, beside Kilt Rock on the Trotternish coast. It drops about 55 to 60 metres from the clifftop into the Sound of Raasay.
Do you have to pay to park at the Fairy Pools?
Yes. The Fairy Pools car park costs £8 per car and £10 per campervan, and there are toilets on site.
When is the best time to see waterfalls on Skye?
Straight after heavy rain. October to January are the wettest months, so the falls are usually fullest then, while May and June have the longest days.
Which Skye waterfalls can you see from the road?
Mealt Falls and Bride's Veil Falls are both a few steps from the A855. The Fairy Pools need a 15 to 20 minute walk.
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