Inverkirkaig Falls

Inverkirkaig Falls

The next morning we headed for the Inverkirkaig Falls which are a few miles out of the village. After being on the bike for a couple of days solid (which I am not used to) and having had a 10 mile walk the day before my muscles decided walking up the hill was a good time to protest and I found it hard going at times. However, the views were stunning and the falls were impressive. The walk back was much easier too!

This was certainly no walk for anyone with mobility difficulties as the path was very rocky. If you are planning doing this walk make sure that you are wearing good footwear.

We met a lot of people on the walk, people going to the falls, people going to the hills and fishermen.

More About Falls of kirkaig (Inverkirkaig Falls)
Inverkirkaig is a wonderful place to stop and admire the scenery on offer in the far north of Scotland; beautiful coast and wild, rugged mountain country. From Achiltibuie area a wonderful twisty road leads to Lochinver via Inverkirkaig - a crofting township overlooking a beautiful bay. A path beside the River Kirkaig leads to the Falls of Kirkaig and on to the foot of Suilven - Assynt's famous 'sugar-loaf' mountain.

Inverkirkaig Falls set in a wooded valley, an unusual sight up here, has a gentle walk to the base of Suilven the distinctive pillar mountain seen all around Lochinver. You first pass through pleasant mixed woodland with the bubbling River Kirkaig to your right. Then you rise up through the trees to emerge in open country with a great view up a gorge that has been gouged out by the water. This birch-lined road passing by gushing rivers is quite an experience and you will also have a couple of sea views (if you dare take your eyes off the road ahead). Signs at either end of this road warn that it is unsuitable for caravans and coaches, so that will give you some idea of what it is like!

There is a wonderful bookshop too – Achins – which is well worth a visit. Behind it you will find a lovely river, superb waterfall and a lonely loch below one of the most stunning peaks in Scotland.

Consequent to the wildness and grandeur of the area, most (though not all) the places of interest are natural features, such as the Inverkirkaig Falls, south of Lochinver, or the Inchnadamph caves on the limestones of the Traligill Burn - an especially popular spot for botanists.
Click on the image for larger view
kirkaig falls
Inverkirkaig Falls
kirkaig falls in Lochinver, Sutherland

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  • When we returned from our walk up to the waterfalls we went up to the coffee shop and enjoyed the wonderful baking, and being the child at heart that I am, I couldn't resist a "coke float" and a lovely slice of bake, which was perfect after our walk! The coffee shop has local art around the walls, which I am sure will be for sale if something takes your eye!

  • To get to the falls either walk up the hill, a lovely long winding road through farmland and forest or drive and park in the car park provided. You need to turn up the road by the Morning, Noon and Night store in Lewiston, keep going straight up the road don't follow the curve round and you will eventually see the sign for the falls.

  • I was awake early and took off down the village for a walk and to take some photographs. The village is pretty and right on the sea. It is a super base for holidays in the area, a lot of walkers and hill climbers stay here and the Assynt Visitor Centre is situated here. The village is closed early on a Tuesday so be aware that you may not get fuel, etc at that time.

  • Plodda Falls features a wrought iron bridge built by Lord Tweedmouth in 1880. The falls are spectacular with two rivers meeting and joining at the falls. Once you have been on the bridge you can follow the path down to the viewing area at the bottom of the falls.

  • When I was at Shin Falls it was October and I didn't see any salmon leaping which was a shame as this is what the falls are famous for. There is a good footpath and viewing platform for the falls but it is not suitable for wheelchair access as there are steps and tree roots on the path. The falls are not high but I believe that when the salmon are leaping it is spectacular!

  • Polcraig Guest House nestles on the hillside, centrally in Lochinver village, overlooking the bay.

  • Telephone Code (+44) 1456 from outwith Britain
    From within Britain 01456