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A leaf-covered path winds through misty autumn woodland beside a wooden fence.
Ross and Cromarty

Black Rock Gorge

A startlingly deep, narrow chasm cut by the river through the woods above Evanton, crossed by footbridges, and a setting in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Welcome

From the village of Evanton, a path climbs through quiet woods beside a river.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Step onto the first little footbridge, look down, and the ground falls away into a slot of rock so deep and narrow that the water at the bottom is only a pale thread in the dark.

This is Black Rock Gorge, cut by the river through the rock above Evanton. Its walls are hung with moss and ferns, and the light barely reaches the bottom. It was used as a setting in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

The walk is short, but the paths can be muddy and great care is needed near the edge of the gorge, so keep to the footbridges and hold on to children. Autumn, when the woods turn gold, is the finest time to come.

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Before you go

The gorge can be visited at any time, free.

The walk starts from the road bridge in Evanton and climbs through the woods to two footbridges over the chasm. Paths can be muddy, and great care is needed near the edge.

Where
Evanton Wood, above Evanton.
Start
The road bridge in Evanton.
Take care
At the edge of the gorge.

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Did you know

Tall trees with golden autumn leaves rise above a leaf-covered woodland path.
Did you know

On film.

The gorge was used as a setting in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Water trickles through a narrow moss-covered rock chasm framed by overhanging branches.
Did you know

Two footbridges.

The walk crosses the gorge on two short footbridges, looking straight down into it.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Ross and Cromarty

From the village of Evanton, a path climbs through quiet woods beside the river. Step onto the first footbridge, look down, and the ground drops away into a slot of rock so deep and narrow that the water is only a pale thread in the dark. This is Black Rock Gorge. Its walls are hung with moss and ferns, and it appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The walk is short, but the paths can be muddy and the edges are sheer, so keep to the bridges and hold on to children. Come in autumn for the colour.

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Where it is

Above the village of Evanton, off the A9 north of Dingwall; the walk starts at the road bridge in the village.

Close byEvanton.
  1. Café tables and shelved shop goods beside large windows overlooking the coastHighland Farm Cafe4 miles 6 min by road
  2. Invergordon Mural TrailInvergordon Mural Trail7 miles 12 min by road
  3. Terraced cottages line a narrow street, one house with a green corrugated gableThe Stoltman ShopThe Stoltman brothers' shop in their home town of Invergordon, selling their strongman clothing, with their trophies in the window.7 miles 13 min by road
  4. Loch GlassLoch GlassA long, quiet loch in the hills above Evanton, below Ben Wyvis, reached by a walk along an estate track to a lonely pink house on its shore.9 miles 21 min by road
  5. Black Muir Woods and the Touchstone MazeBlack Muir Woods and the Touchstone MazeA labyrinth of stones above Strathpeffer.12 miles 22 min by road
  6. Falls of RogieFalls of RogieSalmon leaping at a waterfall to the west.16 miles 24 min by road
Directions
The Black Isle Dairy farm shop, a green timber building with a chalkboard and flower tubs on the gravel.ShoppingBlack Isle Dairy9.7 miles
Three archers with recurve bows stand beside a Pro-Boss target scored with arrowsActivityWildwoodz11 miles
Coloured cloth strips tied to a bare tree in woodlandAttractionsThe Clootie Well12 miles
Corrugated metal building with Black Isle Brewing Co sign and porch entranceRestaurantsBlack Isle Brewery12 miles
A long sandstone steading with a conical-roofed tower at its centre stands beyond a field of young crops, trees framing it on either side in evening light.BalblairNewhall MainsPlace to stay · 12 miles
White-harled Clachan Inn with crow-stepped gables behind a stone roadside wallRestaurantsThe Allangrange12 miles
Kirkmichael's restored red sandstone church among old gravestones, a gravel path winding through the grass.AttractionsKirkmichael13 miles
Sunset breaks through clouds over a mudflat estuary and distant hillsAttractionsUdale Bay Viewpoint13 miles
Wooden cabin with sloped roof and ramp, surrounded by autumn treesAttractionsRSPB Udale Bay14 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the gorge, and when each is next free.

A long sandstone steading with a conical-roofed tower at its centre stands beyond a field of young crops, trees framing it on either side in evening light.Newhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 6 miles from Black Rock Gorge
Check datesA white harled cottage with a slated roof and gabled porch sits behind a garden of wildflowers, a table and chairs on the patio.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Dores
  • 18 miles from Black Rock Gorge
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof and dormer windows sits behind a gravel drive, ivy covering one gable end.Ivy Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Dores
  • 18 miles from Black Rock Gorge
Check datesA stone steading with green shutters and a slated roof sits beside a gravel drive, mature trees framing the entrance.South Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 18 miles from Black Rock Gorge
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Ross and CromartyAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more in Ross and Cromarty.

ArticleA Day Ashore in InvergordonCollectionHarry Potter Locations in Scotland
More in Ross and Cromarty
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .