Falls of Tarf

Falls of Tarf is a remote waterfall on the Tarf Water, deep in Glen Tilt in Perth and Kinross, in the eastern Highlands of Scotland. Just below the falls the Tarf meets a smaller stream, and from there the combined river is known as the River Tilt. No road comes anywhere near, so reaching the falls is a full-day outing on foot or by bike.

What will you see at the falls?

The water drops in several steps through a steep, narrow ravine. Accounts differ on how to count them: some describe a double fall, others at least five separate cascades. Often the falls only come into view at the last moment, as you reach the bridge.

Spanning the river is the Bedford Memorial Bridge, a Victorian suspension footbridge dated 1886. It commemorates Francis John Bedford, an 18-year-old who drowned in 1879 while trying to ford the Tarf. A plaque records that his friends and other donors paid for it, with a contribution from the Scottish Rights of Way Society. The bridge gives the best view of the cascades.

How do you get to Falls of Tarf?

Most people start in Blair Atholl. The falls lie roughly 11 miles (about 18 km) up the glen, so the round trip tops 35 km. A well-kept estate track covers much of Glen Tilt, but nearer the falls the path narrows and turns rough. Cyclists will need to push or carry their bikes in places, and many ride as far as the track allows and walk the rest.

Bring a map, water and food. There are no shops or services in the glen, and mobile signal is patchy.

What is the history of Glen Tilt?

The glen is famous in Scottish access history. In 1847 the Duke of Atholl tried to keep walkers out, leading to the "Battle for Glen Tilt". The right of way was upheld in the 1849 court case Torrie v Duke of Atholl. The old route continues over the bridge and on towards the pass to Braemar. One account says Queen Victoria forded the Tarf on a pony in 1861.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring to early autumn offers long days and a drier path. After rain or snowmelt the Tarf swells and the falls look their most powerful, though stretches of the glen turn muddy. In winter the long distance from any road makes the trip a serious undertaking.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to Falls of Tarf? No. The nearest road is far away, and from Blair Atholl you cover about 11 miles on foot or by bike.

How long does the walk take? One way usually takes several hours on foot, so plan on most of a day. Cycling is faster, although the final section can be awkward.

Is there an entry fee? No. Scotland's access rights allow responsible walking on most land, and the Glen Tilt route is a historic public right of way.

What is the bridge by the falls? It is the Bedford Memorial Bridge of 1886, a memorial to a young man who drowned in the Tarf in 1879.