Culnaskiach Falls

Culnaskiach Falls is a hidden waterfall in Boblainy Forest, just south of the village of Kiltarlity in the Highland council area of Scotland. A small stream drops over the fall before joining the Bruiach Burn. It rewards walkers who enjoy finding tucked-away corners of the countryside, and it is not a roadside viewpoint.

Where is Culnaskiach Falls?

The fall sits in Boblainy Forest near the hamlet of Ardendrain, off the A833 between Beauly and Drumnadrochit. Coordinates are roughly 57.39 N, 4.52 W. Kiltarlity is the nearest village, and Inverness is within easy reach, so the waterfall fits a day out in the eastern Highlands.

How do you get there?

The usual walk begins at the road end beyond the water treatment works on the southwest side of Ardendrain (OS grid reference NH 504376). Access is free and the forest is open all year.

Most of the circuit follows good forest tracks. The stretch around the waterfall is the challenge: there is no clear path, there are steep drops, and a burn crossing that can be awkward. Walk guides describe it as a small adventure for waterfall fans and recommend map-reading skills. An OS Explorer 1:25,000 map (sheets 309 and 470) is useful.

To skip the crossing, walk to the falls and return the way you came. That is about 2 miles (3 km) each way, roughly an hour in each direction, and it avoids crossing the stream below the fall.

What will you see?

The drop is tens of metres high and looks best after heavy rain, when the stream is running full. Along the way you pass through Boblainy Forest, popular with walkers and runners. In spring, leaf cover hides the lower part of the cascade, so the view is clearer outside the fully leafy months.

When should you go?

Aim for a day after rain, when the water is at its most impressive. Take extra care on slippery ground, because high water also makes the crossing harder. Outside summer, plan to be back before dusk, as the section near the fall is unmarked.

What else is nearby?

Kiltarlity lies in the Beauly valley, not far from Inverness. Other forest paths in Boblainy Forest are close, and the road to Loch Ness at Drumnadrochit makes an easy add-on to the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The site is free to visit with no opening hours.

Is the route waymarked? Not fully. The forest tracks are clear, but the section at the waterfall is pathless and needs navigation skills.

Is it suitable for children or beginners? Not really. Steep drops and the burn crossing make the final stretch harder than the rest of the walk. Beginners can stay on the forest tracks.

How long does it take? An out-and-back walk is about 2 miles each way, roughly an hour in each direction. The full circuit with the crossing takes longer.