Hidden Scotland
Sign in
A landscape view of the old stone bridge spanning the river, rock slabs in the foreground and trees in full leaf.
Inverness-shire

Invermoriston Falls

Waterfalls on the River Moriston just above Loch Ness, crossed by Thomas Telford's bridge of 1813 and watched over by a small stone summerhouse.

Welcome

Halfway along the west shore of Loch Ness, the River Moriston comes rushing down out of its glen and breaks over ledges of grey rock in a run of white water, just before it reaches the loch.

Across the top of the falls stands a single stone arch: the old bridge built by Thomas Telford in 1813, which carried the main road from Drumnadrochit to Fort Augustus until a new bridge replaced it in the 1930s.

Park in the village and walk down among the trees. Just below the modern road bridge is a small stone summerhouse with a conical roof, built by a laird of Glenmoriston for his guests. Its pointed window frames the best view of all: the falls, the great slab of rock beside them and the old bridge above.

In autumn, salmon can sometimes be seen leaping the falls on their way upriver.

Before you go

The falls and the old bridge are open at all times and free, with free parking in Invermoriston.

A short path leads down to the summerhouse, the best place to see the falls.

Where
Invermoriston, by the A82 on Loch Ness, IV63 7WE.
The bridge
Thomas Telford, 1813.
Look for
Salmon leaping the falls.

Did you know

A twin-arched stone road bridge over a dark river pool and rocks, forested hills under a clear blue sky.
Did you know

Telford's road.

The old bridge of 1813 carried the main road between Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus until the 1930s.

Looking down on a waterfall pouring white through a channel in grey rock into a dark pool, woods above.
Did you know

A window on the falls.

The little summerhouse was built so that guests could watch the salmon running up the falls.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Inverness-shire

Halfway along the west shore of Loch Ness, the River Moriston comes rushing out of its glen over ledges of grey rock, just before it meets the loch. Across the top stands a single stone arch, the old bridge Thomas Telford built in 1813, which carried the main road until a new bridge replaced it in the 1930s. Park in the village and walk down through the trees to a little stone summerhouse with a conical roof, built by a laird for his guests. Its pointed window frames the best view of the falls. In autumn, watch for salmon leaping.

Read more
01 / 04
Where it is

In Invermoriston, by the A82 on the west shore of Loch Ness, with free parking by the falls.

Close byLoch Ness.
  1. Glen Rowan CafeGlen Rowan CafeUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. Walkers cross rocky coastal grassland towards a distant headland under grey skiesSt Columba's Well, InvermoristonA holy well at Invermoriston on Loch Ness, said to have been blessed by St Columba on his way to visit the Pictish king Brude.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. Caledonian CanalCaledonian Canal5 miles6 min by road
  4. Fort AugustusFort AugustusLocks and boats at the south end of the loch.6 miles8 min by road
  5. Aerial view of Fort William's river with a tour boat moored beside a parkCruise Loch Ness6 miles9 min by road
  6. Ruined stone tower of Urquhart Castle seen through autumn foliage on Loch NessUrquhart CastleThe castle ruin up the shore.11 miles14 min by road
Directions
A sign reading Loch Ness, Welcome to Fort Augustus on the stony shore, the loch running north between wooded hills.AttractionsLoch Ness Viewpoint6.3 miles
The Lovat at dusk: white front, slate roof and dormers, lit lamps and the glowing bay window, a planter on the drive.Fort AugustusThe Lovat HotelPlace to stay · 6.3 miles
Green tart with edible flowers and herbs, plated on artificial grassRestaurantsStation Road at The Lovat6.3 miles
Winding hill track above forestry and a distant loch under cloudy skiesAttractionsSuidhe Viewpoint8.3 miles
Loch Ness Centre building with a green Nessie sculpture in the car parkAttractionsThe Nessie Hunter13 miles
Stay nearby

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

The Lovat at dusk: white front, slate roof and dormers, lit lamps and the glowing bay window, a planter on the drive.The Lovat Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Fort Augustus
  • 5 miles from Invermoriston
Check datesFrom above, Aquila's turf-roofed log cabin and wrap-around deck on the edge of the ridge, the glen stretching away in autumn colour.Aquila at Eagle Brae
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Struy
  • 13 miles from Invermoriston
Check datesTringa's long turf-roofed log walls on the hill, foxgloves in flower in the grass below.Tringa at Eagle Brae
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Struy
  • 13 miles from Invermoriston
Check datesSylvia in sunshine: a log cabin with a pale gable and oak door, whisky barrels along its gravel yard and a birch beside.Sylvia at Eagle Brae
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Struy
  • 13 miles from Invermoriston
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Inverness-shireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go.