Guisachan Fall

Guisachan Fall is a waterfall tucked into Guisachan Forest, about 2.5 km south-west of the village of Tomich in the Scottish Highlands, just south of Glen Affric. It lies on the grounds of an old Highland estate that gave the world the golden retriever.

Where is Guisachan Fall?

The fall sits in Srath Allt na Sìdean, a wooded glen south of Glen Affric. It is fed by the Allt na Sìdean, which joins the Abhainn Deabhag, itself a tributary of the River Affric. The coordinates are roughly 57.283 N, 4.838 W, at an altitude of around 130 m. This is a low-level forest outing rather than a mountain day.

How big is it?

Estimates put the drop at 80 to 90 feet, or roughly 24 to 27 m. It is not the grandest cascade in the Highlands, but the setting makes up for it: mature woodland, the sound of the burn, and far fewer visitors than at the region's headline waterfalls.

What else is there to see nearby?

The forest was once part of the Guisachan estate, bought in 1854 by Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, later Lord Tweedmouth. He built a mansion, a model village for estate workers and kennels. In 1868 he paired a wavy-coated retriever called Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle, and their litter of yellow puppies became the foundation of the golden retriever breed.

The house is now a roofless ruin. A life-size bronze golden retriever was dedicated beside it in 2014, and fans of the breed travel here from across the world. Walkers' reports describe a circuit of about 10 km through Guisachan Forest, taking around 2.5 hours, with views of the Glen Affric hills from the upper forest edge.

Plodda Falls, a far better-known waterfall, is also close to Tomich, and the two sights combine well into one day.

How do I get there, and when should I go?

Start from Tomich, in Strathglass, and head roughly 2.5 km south-west into the forest. Pick a dry day: forest tracks can be muddy, and icy in winter. Wear waterproof footwear and bring an extra layer, since Highland weather changes quickly.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Guisachan Fall? Around 80 to 90 feet, about 24 to 27 m.

How far is it from Tomich? About 2.5 km south-west of the village.

What is the golden retriever connection? The forest belonged to the Guisachan estate, where Lord Tweedmouth bred the first golden retriever litter in 1868. The ruins of his house stand nearby.

Is there another waterfall close by? Yes, Plodda Falls, also near Tomich.