Falls of Damff

Falls of Damff is a waterfall in the upper reaches of Glen Esk in Angus, Scotland, inside Cairngorms National Park. It is a destination for hill walkers rather than a roadside stop: reaching it takes most of a day, and the reward is wild country with few other visitors.

Where are the Falls of Damff?

The falls sit on the eastern edge of the Cairngorms, in Glen Esk, north-west of Loch Lee. The coordinates are roughly 56.899 N, 3.011 W. The nearest settlement is Tarfside, and the public road up the glen ends at Invermark.

How do you get there?

Walks start at Invermark, where a large car park is currently free to use. From there the route follows Loch Lee, passes Invermark Castle and continues up the glen, taking in the lower Falls of Unich on the way. The Falls of Damff lie further on, and the full circuit also climbs Craig Maskeldie before returning along a track.

Guides quote about 10 to 11 miles (16-18 km) and anywhere from 5 to over 6 hours. Total ascent is around 420 m (1,380 ft). The route is unmarked, steep in places, and the stretch near the falls is pathless. Descriptions rate it as difficult.

What will you see?

The Falls of Damff are harder to view than the Falls of Unich below them. The best vantage point comes from crossing the burn and climbing the western slopes of Craig Maskeldie. You get open heather moorland, a glacial valley and water tumbling in stages. There are no visitor facilities along the way.

When should you go?

Choose a long, dry day between late spring and early autumn. After rain the ground turns boggy and the steep, pathless sections get slippery. In summer you can swim, but the water is cold, typically around 15°C or lower. Bring walking boots, a map or offline route, and a warm windproof layer.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to the Falls of Damff? No. You can drive only as far as the car park at Invermark; the rest is on foot.

How long does the walk take? The full loop via Loch Lee, the Falls of Unich and Craig Maskeldie usually takes 5 to 6 hours or more, depending on pace and conditions.

Is the route waymarked? No. The route is unmarked, so carry a map or a GPS track.

Is it suitable for beginners? Not really. The distance, steep sections and lack of a path near the falls lead guides to rate it as difficult.