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Sutherland

Golspie Burn Waterfall & Gorge

A short walk up a wooded gorge at Golspie, over a string of wooden footbridges above the burn, to a waterfall, with spring flowers in May and June.

Welcome

At the north end of Golspie, a track past the Golspie Inn leads to the start of a fine short walk: the Big Burn.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

The path follows the Golspie Burn up into a deep, wooded gorge, and in about twenty minutes it brings you to a waterfall.

It is a secretive, sheltered place. The burn has cut a narrow gorge through the rock, shaded by old trees, and the path climbs beside it on boardwalks and crosses and recrosses the water on a string of wooden footbridges, with smaller falls along the way. There are picnic spots, too, for a stop.

The woods are mixed and full of life. Come in May or June and the banks are carpeted with primroses, bluebells, celandines, wood sorrel, campion and wild garlic. At the top, the main waterfall drops in two stages into its mossy cleft, loudest after rain.

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Before you go

The walk is open at all times and free.

Park at the end of the track past the Golspie Inn at the north end of Golspie; the waterfall is about twenty minutes up the gorge.

Start
The north end of Golspie, past the Golspie Inn.
Walk
About twenty minutes to the waterfall.

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Did you know

A timber boardwalk running alongside a rocky stream in the wooded gorge at the Big Burn gorge at Golspie.
Did you know

Five bridges.

The path crosses the burn on a string of wooden footbridges on its way to the falls.

A dirt path winding through the wooded gorge at the Big Burn gorge at Golspie, ferns growing along the bank.
Did you know

Spring flowers.

In May and June the gorge is full of primroses, bluebells, wood sorrel and wild garlic.

Dappled sunlight falling across a leaf-strewn woodland path at the Big Burn gorge at Golspie.
Did you know

Twenty minutes.

The waterfall is about twenty minutes' walk from the start.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Sutherland

At the north end of Golspie, a track past the Golspie Inn leads to one of the nicest short walks on this coast, known locally as the Big Burn. The path follows the burn up into a deep, wooded gorge, climbing on boardwalks and crossing and recrossing the water on a string of wooden footbridges, with small falls along the way. In about twenty minutes it brings you to the main waterfall, dropping in two stages into a mossy cleft. Come in May or June, when the banks are covered in primroses, bluebells and wild garlic.

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Where it is

At the north end of Golspie, off the A9 by the Golspie Inn.

Close byGolspie.
  1. Golspie InnGolspie InnUnder a mile 2 min by road
  2. Golspie Golf ClubGolspie Golf Club2 miles as the crow flies
  3. Dunrobin CastleDunrobin CastleThe great house above the sea, just up the road.2 miles 5 min by road
  4. Aerial view of a river estuary winding through sandbanks to the seaLoch FleetPinewoods and sand dunes surround this large tidal basin between Dornoch and Golspie.8 miles 13 min by road
  5. Loch Fleet National Nature ReserveLoch Fleet National Nature ReserveSeals and waders on the tidal basin to the south.8 miles 13 min by road
  6. Carnegie Links at Skibo CastleCarnegie Links at Skibo CastleThe 18-hole championship links of the private Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, on the Dornoch Firth.10 miles as the crow flies
Directions
Sandy beach and dunes stretch towards distant hills under a grey skyAttractionsEmbo Beach12 miles
ShoppingBritton Scotland, Dornoch12 miles
Wooden sign reading "milk & honey" mounted on a sandstone buildingCafeMilk & Honey12 miles
Sandstone church with pointed arch window, framed by autumn trees and gatepostsAttractionsDornoch Cathedral12 miles
Stone building with arched windows bearing the sign Cocoa Mountain, blue picnic table outsideCafeCocoa Mountain Dornoch12 miles
Ivy climbs a turreted stone tower beside a slate-roofed manor houseRestaurantsDornoch Castle Hotel12 miles
Sandstone terraced houses and shopfronts line a leaf-strewn streetAttractionsDornoch Town12 miles
A grand stone mansion glows with lit windows at dusk, bare autumn branches framing the facade.DornochLinks House at Royal DornochPlace to stay · 12 miles
Golf green with yellow flag before a clubhouse overlooking the Firth of ClydeAttractionsRoyal Dornoch Golf Club12 miles

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Stay nearby

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

A grand stone mansion glows with lit windows at dusk, bare autumn branches framing the facade.Links House at Royal Dornoch
  • To stay
  • In Dornoch
  • 8 miles from the Big Burn
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in SutherlandAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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The collections it is in and more in Sutherland.

CollectionScotland's Best Waterfalls
More in Sutherland
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