Falls of Foyers

Falls of Foyers is a pair of waterfalls on the River Foyers, beside the village of Foyers on the southern shore of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. The river drops through a deep wooded gorge, and viewpoints among the trees give you a look at both the upper and lower drops.

What will you see at the Falls of Foyers?

The river falls in two stages. The upper drop is about 14 m, while the lower one is much taller at roughly 30 m. Water plunges into a rocky basin hemmed in by trees, then runs on to Loch Ness, which it enters on the south-east side about halfway along the loch. The walking route has two viewing platforms, one higher up and one further down the slope.

Why is the flow sometimes weaker than expected?

A hydro-powered aluminium smelter was built at Foyers in the 1890s. The British Aluminium Company opened it in 1896 and it operated until 1967. The power scheme takes water from the river above the falls, so how much you see depends on the scheme and on recent weather. After heavy rain the falls are far more dramatic than in a dry spell, so plan your visit for a day or two after wet weather.

What is the Robert Burns connection?

People were already coming to admire the falls in the 1700s. Robert Burns visited in 1787 and wrote a poem about them, "Lines on the Fall of Fyers, near Loch Ness". The falls remain one of the best-known stops on the south side of the loch.

What is the walk like?

The path starts at the car park, crosses the road and heads down a wooded slope to the viewpoints. It is short, but the final stretch has steep steps, so the climb back up takes some effort. Beyond the lookouts the path follows the gorge through woodland and comes out by the road leading toward the lower bridge at Foyers. For a longer outing you can link the falls with a forest-track loop of about 7 km and 320 m of ascent, or with the longer route from Inverfarigaig.

When should you visit?

Come after rain, when the river carries plenty of water. In summer the leaf cover hides some of the views; early spring and autumn let in more light. Wear shoes with a good grip all year, since steps and paths are often wet.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Falls of Foyers? In Foyers, on the south shore of Loch Ness in Highland, about halfway along the loch.

How tall are the falls? The upper fall is around 14 m and the lower fall around 30 m.

Is there always a lot of water? No. Part of the River Foyers is used for hydroelectric power, so the falls look modest after dry periods.

Is the walk difficult? It is short and not technical, but the steps near the viewpoints are steep, so it is unsuitable for visitors with limited mobility.