Loch Mealt

Loch Mealt is a small freshwater loch on the Isle of Skye, on the eastern side of the Trotternish peninsula. It sits close to the settlement of Ellishadder and just south of Staffin. Roughly a kilometre long, it drains eastward towards the Minch, and it is best known for what happens at its outflow: the Mealt Falls, which plunge off a sea cliff beside the famous Kilt Rock.

Where is Loch Mealt and why does it matter?

The loch lies in the Highland council area, a short distance inland from the A855 coastal road. Visitors rarely come for the water itself. Its significance is that it feeds the waterfall named after it. The stream leaves the loch, reaches the cliff edge and drops straight into the sea. Most sources give the fall as around 55 metres, though a few quote figures closer to 60.

What can you see nearby?

Mealt Falls. A free-falling ribbon of water over the cliff, seen from a railed viewing platform by the road.

Kilt Rock. Next to the falls, sea cliffs of multicoloured dolerite rise above the shore. The near-vertical columns in the upper rock layer look like the pleats of a kilt, which gave the cliff its name. Published heights vary between about 55 metres and higher figures, so treat any single number as approximate.

The loch itself. It lies behind the cliff top, away from the shore. A walk of roughly one kilometre from the car park links the viewpoint with the loch area.

How do you get there and where do you park?

The Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls viewpoint is signed from the A855, a few minutes north of Lealt Falls and close to Staffin. There is a car park by the platform with a charge, even for brief stops. There are no toilets on site. From the car park it is two or three minutes along a paved path to the railing, which makes this one of the few headline Skye sights that needs almost no walking.

When should you visit?

The falls can be seen year-round, but clear weather shows off the colours of the rock best. In winter, strong wind sometimes blows the stream back up the cliff and sprays it over the car park, so bring a waterproof if the forecast is rough. It is a regular stop on circuits of Trotternish, so expect more traffic through the middle of the day in summer.

What else is on this part of Trotternish?

The peninsula is known for dramatic scenery. Along this stretch of coast you will pass Lealt Falls and the village of Staffin, a handy base for exploring. Driving the A855 along the east coast makes it easy to string several viewpoints into a single route.

Frequently asked questions

Are Loch Mealt and Mealt Falls the same thing? No. Loch Mealt is the loch; Mealt Falls is the waterfall fed by it, dropping off the cliff into the sea.

How long should I allow? The viewing platform is a short stop of around fifteen minutes. Add the walk towards the loch and allow about an hour in total.

Is there an entrance fee? There is no ticket for the platform, but the car park charges, including for short stays.

Are there toilets? No. Use facilities beforehand, for instance in Staffin.

Is the walk difficult? No. The path from the car park to the platform is short and paved.