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A waterfall drops into a rock pool at the foot of a wooded gorge.
Perthshire

Falls of Bruar

A chain of waterfalls in a wooded gorge above Blair Atholl, planted with trees by the Duke of Atholl after Robert Burns asked him to in a poem of 1787.

Welcome

Above Blair Atholl, the Bruar Water tumbles down from the hills through a narrow rocky gorge in a chain of falls, each dropping into a deep pool worn smooth by the water.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Two old stone bridges arch across the gorge, and the path climbs between them through tall pines and larches.

When Robert Burns came here in September 1787 the gorge was bare. He wrote a poem of eleven verses in the voice of the river, The Humble Petition of Bruar Water, asking the 4th Duke of Atholl to shade its banks with trees. After Burns died, the duke did just that, laying paths and bridges and planting the gorge with larch and Scots pine, and the woods that now fill it are his answer.

The walk starts behind the House of Bruar, climbs to the lower bridge, and goes on up to the higher falls before coming back down the far side.

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Before you go

Free, at any time.

The path starts behind the House of Bruar, climbs to the lower bridge and on to the upper falls, and returns down the other side of the gorge.

Where
Bruar, on the B8079 three miles west of Blair Atholl.
The walk
A loop up one side of the gorge and down the other, with steps.

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Did you know

A narrow waterfall cascades into a still pool between steep rock walls in a pine-covered gorge.
Did you know

A poem in the river's voice.

Burns wrote The Humble Petition of Bruar Water as if the river itself were asking the duke for trees.

An old stone packhorse bridge spans a rocky gorge beneath tall pines.
Did you know

Eleven verses.

The petition runs to eleven verses of eight lines each.

An old stone packhorse bridge arches over a rocky gorge and waterfall in a Perthshire forest.
Did you know

Posted from Inverness.

Burns sent the poem from Inverness on 5 September 1787, a few days after his visit.

Graeme Johncock

When Robert Burns saw the Falls of Bruar, he was inspired to write a poem from the point of view of the river to the Duke of Atholl asking him to plant some trees. The duke responded by turning the barren landscape into a woodland paradise.

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Where it is

Behind the House of Bruar, three miles west of Blair Atholl.

Close byBlair Atholl.
  1. The House of Bruar, PerthshireThe House of BruarA country store of tweeds, knitwear and food at the foot of the falls.Under a mile 2 min by road
  2. Blair CastleBlair CastleThe white-harled seat of the Dukes of Atholl at Blair Atholl.3 miles 6 min by road
  3. Blair Atholl WatermillBlair Atholl WatermillA working watermill and tearoom in Blair Atholl.3 miles 6 min by road
  4. Killiecrankie Visitor CentreKilliecrankie Visitor Centre7 miles 11 min by road
  5. Pass of KilliecrankiePass of KilliecrankieThe wooded gorge of the River Garry north of Pitlochry, where the Jacobites under Bonnie Dundee routed a government army on 27 July 1689.7 miles 11 min by road
  6. Wooden sign for Killiecrankie House, Restaurant & Rooms, framed by leavesKilliecrankie HouseA white country house by the Pass of Killiecrankie, now a restaurant with rooms, with tasting menus, a cocktail bar and whisky tastings.7 miles 11 min by road
Directions
A stone farmhouse with dormer windows sits behind a timber post and rail fence, trees and hills visible beyond.Blair AthollMilton of KincraigieSleeps 4 · 4.7 miles
Loch Tummel stretches between wooded hills, framed by autumn leaves at Queen's ViewAttractionsQueen’s View4.9 miles as the crow flies
Stone railway viaduct crossing a wooded glen above a riverAttractionsSoldier's Leap7.3 miles
River gorge cutting through autumn woodland at the Pass of KilliecrankieAttractionsGarry Bridge8.5 miles
Yellow pedal boats and a red rowing boat moored beside a wooden jettyAttractionsPitlochry Boating Station & Adventure Hire10 miles
Highland Soap Co shopfront with bay window on a stone corner buildingShoppingThe Highland Soap Company10 miles
Wooden hut with stag emblem beside a picnic bench and lawnAttractionsPitlochry Putting Green11 miles
Turquoise-fronted Hetties tearoom, offering "Great Food, Cakery, Takeaway" and ice creamCafeHettie's Tea Rooms11 miles
The Old Mill Inn's stone façade covered in ivy, with picnic tables outsideRestaurantsThe Old Mill Inn11 miles

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Stay nearby

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

A stone farmhouse with dormer windows sits behind a timber post and rail fence, trees and hills visible beyond.Milton of Kincraigie
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Blair Atholl
  • 4 miles from the Falls of Bruar
Check datesA sign reading "Garden Cottage" hangs on a white gate before a gravel drive, the white cottage and hills visible beyond.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Perthshire
  • 9 miles from the Falls of Bruar
Free 14–17 NovA stone steading with a slated roof and an arched green door stands beside a gravel courtyard, daffodils growing at its base.West Tempar Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Perthshire
  • 10 miles from the Falls of Bruar
Free 16–19 NovA white harled house with a slated roof sits among woodland below a hill, a track winding up to it through fields.Lassintullich House
  • Sleeps 16
  • In Perthshire
  • 10 miles from the Falls of Bruar
Free 31 Oct – 3 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in PerthshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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