Dess Waterfall
A short walk on the Deeside Way to a waterfall tucked into a wooded gorge.
The Burn of Dess drops through a wooded gorge on its way to the Dee, and the falls where it does so are a lovely surprise at the end of a short walk.
The walk starts at the Old Smiddy at Dess, on the main Deeside road west of Kincardine O'Neil, where the old phone box outside holds maps of this route and others nearby. The route joins the Deeside Way, the path that follows the line of the old railway up the valley.
It passes houses and fields, then drops steeply through woodland to the falls, which pour into a deep pool under the trees. It is best after rain, and the path can be muddy then. Allow an hour or so there and back, with time to sit.
From the Old Smiddy at Dess, along the Deeside Way and down through the woods.
About an hour there and back; muddy after rain.
- Start
- The Old Smiddy, Dess.
- Time
- About an hour.
Kincardine O'Neil.
Kincardine O'NeilThe oldest village on Deeside, on the north bank of the Dee, with the roofless Auld Kirk of a medieval travellers' hospital at its heart.2 miles4 min by road
Lumphanan Golf Club3 miles5 min by road
Spider on a Bicycle Cafe4 miles5 min by road
Courie Courie Bakery4 miles5 min by road
Aboyne Golf Club4 miles7 min by road
Places to stay near Dess Waterfall, and when each is next free.
West Millfield- Sleeps 5
- In Aberdeenshire
- 5 miles from Dess Waterfall
Joiners Cottage- Sleeps 4
- In Aberdeenshire
- 5 miles from Dess Waterfall
Garden Cottage- Sleeps 4
- In Aberdeenshire
- 5 miles from Dess Waterfall
Butler's Lodge- Sleeps 6
- In Aberdeenshire
- 5 miles from Dess Waterfall
Scotland, in print.
Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.
For further reading, before you go.