Linn Falls – A Woodland Waterfall and Lunch on the Square
About 1.5 miles on foot.
Linn Falls is a lovely little waterfall hidden in the woods above Aberlour, where the Burn of Aberlour drops over two rocky ledges into a dark pool.
It's a short, pretty walk from the village square, through the trees beside the burn, or stream, and it's at its best a day or two after rain. Back in the village, lunch is at the Aberlour Hotel. It suits walkers of any age who are steady on their feet.
- Time
- An hour on foot, there and back from the Square.
- The path
- An earth path with steps, a stile, a gate and a narrow bridge, and a road to cross: not for wheelchairs or buggies.
- Where to start
- Free on the Square in Aberlour, where the walk starts and lunch is.
- When to go
- The falls path is open ground, best in daylight; the Aberlour Hotel serves meals every day, noon to 7.30pm.
- Children
- Slippery rocks by the water: keep hold of little ones.
- Toilets
- Public toilets at Alice Littler Park, a few minutes' walk from the Square, and for customers at the Aberlour Hotel.
- Before you set out
- The walk needs an hour of daylight. The path is muddy after rain.
The walk
Aberlour, in full Charlestown of Aberlour, stands on the Spey. Park on the Square, which is free. From there it's about 20 minutes' walk to Linn Falls: up Queen's Road and Linn Brae, then a signed path into the woods beside the Burn of Aberlour.
The burn drops over two ledges into a dark pool, ringed by mossy rocks and pines. Allow an hour there and back. The path is earth and gets muddy after rain, with steps, a stile and a narrow bridge, so wear boots and leave the buggy behind.
Keep children back from the slippery rocks by the water, and go in daylight.
If it rains
A little rain does no harm under the trees, and the falls are at their best after it, but the path turns muddy and the rocks slippery in heavy rain: go slowly, or keep to the village and let lunch at the Aberlour Hotel run long.
Worth a detour
- Craigellachie Bridge
Thomas Telford's Craigellachie Bridge, built between 1812 and 1814, throws a single slender iron arch across the Spey right beside the A941 at Craigellachie, a few minutes north of Aberlour. There's parking near the old bridge, down a minor road opposite the turn into Craigellachie village, and you can walk out onto the deck. Ten minutes there is plenty.
Afterwards
20 min on foot
Aberlour Hotel
Lunch
After the falls it's the same 20 minutes' walk back down to the Square, where lunch is at the Aberlour Hotel, a family-run hotel halfway along the High Street. Meals are served every day from noon to 7.30pm, with bar meals at lunchtime, Cullen skink among them. Coffee is on all day, children and dogs are both made welcome, and step-free access is partial, so ring ahead if you need it.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
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Where to eat
Aberlour Hotel, a restaurant in Charlestown of Aberlour.
Photograph by Sven Eggebrecht via Google