GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Falls of Bruar

1.55 miles (2.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk takes you through a lovely wooded gorge to the Falls of Bruar in Perthshire.
There is a good sized car park at the House of Bruar which is located just to the south of the falls (you can see this on the street view link). You soon pick up the footpath taking you along Bruar Water and through pine woodland to the falls. Along the way you will find several deep black pools, stone bridges, viewpoints and picnic spots. It's a fairly steep climb but worth the effort as the falls are clear and beautiful. There are two main falls plus a series of smaller ones to enjoy. The falls were immortalised in an 18th century poem by Robert Burns named the 'The Humble Petition of Bruar Water to the Noble Duke of Atholl'. Since then they have been a popular tourist attraction.
To extend your walking in the area head to Pitlochry and enjoy a waterside walk on our Pitlochry, Killiecrankie and Loch Faskally Walk. The route takes you along rivers and lochs with leaping salmon to look out for on the way.
Also in Pitlochry you can try a challenging climb to Ben Vrackie. From the mountain summit there are fantastic views over the Cairngorms.

Postcode

PH18 5TW - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Falls of Bruar OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Falls of Bruar Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The House of Bruar lies just to the south of the falls. The department store sells good quality outdoor wear and gifts. There's also an excellent food hall with a wide range of delicious options for a post walk meal or snack. The on site cafe/restaurant is a good option too.

Dog Walking

The falls and surrounding woodland make for a fine dog walk so you'll probably see other owners on your visit. It's best to keep them on leads on the falls path as there are some steep edges. Water bowls can be found at the House of Bruar car park.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head a few miles south and you could visit Queen's View Loch Tummel. There's a splendid viewpoint here with views over the loch to the surrounding mountains. In the adjacent Allean Forest there's also miles of great walking trails to try.
To the east of the loch there's the Linn Of Tummel, a picturesque spot at the confluence of the rivers Garry and Tummel. The National Trust owned area has some nice woodland trails with pine martens and other wildlife to look out for.
Just south east of Pitlochry there's the Black Spout Waterfall to visit. It's a picturesque spot with rushing falls, woodland trails and views of the Blair Atholl and Edradour Distilleries.

Photos

Lower Bruar Falls - geograph.org.uk - 2820653

Lower Bruar Falls

Falls of Bruar - geograph.org.uk - 1271061

Falls of Bruar. This picture tends to show the peat content in the water

Upper Bridge at the Falls of Bruar - geograph.org.uk - 1138018

Snow covered upper bridge

Bruar Falls Waterfall - geograph.org.uk - 314289

A walker admires the falls. A classic conifer woodland leaf litter on a rock cut gorge edge with plunge pool below. A real tourist delight

Woodland at the Falls of Bruar - geograph.org.uk - 34480

A view of one of the woodland paths surrounding the falls. Many of the trees here are covered in lichen. Taken on the east side of the glen, close to the lower bridge.

Bruar Water (2) - the dam - geograph.org.uk - 774678

Bruar Water - the dam. Here the water of the river is 'stolen' for the hydro electricity scheme, tunnelled to the Garry dam and taken through a further tunnel to Loch Errochty. This means the Falls of Bruar will never be as good as when Queen Victoria saw them before their river was 'beheaded'.

Car park at House of Bruar - geograph.org.uk - 969834

The good sized car park at House of Bruar

House of Bruar - geograph.org.uk - 2415963

House of Bruar department stores. A nice place for a stroll and bite to eat after your exercise.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Falls of Bruar.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Falls of Bruar.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)