Falls of Moness

Falls of Moness is a waterfall in a wooded gorge on the Moness Burn, just south of the town of Aberfeldy in Perth and Kinross, central Scotland. It sits inside the Birks of Aberfeldy woodland, one of the most popular short walks in the area, and the nearby village of Boltachan makes a handy base.

What are the Falls of Moness?

The Moness Burn runs north down a steep, tree-lined ravine to meet the River Tay. On the way it tumbles over several rock ledges, and the Falls of Moness are the most striking of them. The path climbs through oak, beech and birch, with moss and ferns clinging to the rock. The flow is strongest after rain or snowmelt.

What is the Robert Burns connection?

Robert Burns toured this part of Perthshire in 1787 with his friend William Nicol, and the glen prompted a poem about the birch trees of Aberfeldy. "Birks" is the Scots word for birches, which is where the woodland takes its name. A viewpoint along the trail is dedicated to the poem, and information boards on the route tell the story.

How do you get to the falls?

The walk starts from the car park off the A826 on the edge of Aberfeldy. The standard loop is about 3 to 4 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours. You climb one side of the burn, cross a bridge above the falls and come back down the other side. Families with young children report reaching the falls in about 40 minutes.

Worth knowing before you go: the path is steep and slippery in places, and the section on the far side of the burn is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Walking the loop anti-clockwise avoids the steepest stretches. You can also walk to the trailhead from the centre of Aberfeldy.

When should you visit?

The gorge is attractive all year. Spring and summer bring dense green canopy, autumn colours the birch and beech, and the falls look best after heavy rain. In winter the path can ice over, so wear sturdy footwear. The woods passed to the local community in 1968 through a gift from Millicent Frances Haggart, and they remain open to walkers.

What else is nearby?

Aberfeldy stands on the Tay and has the 18th-century Wade's Bridge, and the Dewar's distillery is close to town. The Rob Roy Way long-distance route also runs through, so the Birks pair easily with a stroll around the town.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The trail and woodland are open to the public, and walkers' accounts mention no admission charge. Check Perth and Kinross Council or VisitScotland for current parking details.

How long does the walk take? The loop to the falls and back usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on pace and photo stops.

Is it suitable for children? Yes, most children manage it, but the path is uneven and there are drops beside it, so keep younger ones close. A pushchair cannot complete the full loop.

Is this the waterfall Burns wrote about? Burns wrote about the whole glen and the birches of Aberfeldy, and the Falls of Moness are its best-known feature. The poem refers to the place rather than to a single rock step.