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The Eas Chia-aig falls, two cascades of peaty water pouring over dark rock into a pool among green woods.
Fort William

Eas Chia-aig Falls

A pair of waterfalls tumbling into the Witches Cauldron by the road at Achnacarry, seen from the bridge, and the scene of Rob Roy's leap in the 1995 film.

Welcome

Just north of Achnacarry, where the road heads west towards Loch Arkaig, the Abhainn Chia-aig pours down through the woods in a pair of waterfalls, fed by rain falling on the high hills above Loch Lochy.

The lower fall drops into a deep, dark pool known as the Witches Cauldron.

The road bridge over the river gives a grandstand view of both falls, and the car park is just a few steps away, so this is an easy stop. Steep paths climb the east bank to higher viewpoints, but they run close to sheer drops, so take great care, and resist the urge to swim.

Film fans may recognise the spot: this is where Liam Neeson's Rob Roy made his escape in the 1995 film. The falls face south, so the light is kind to photographs for much of the day.

A short drive awayGreat Glen Way Viewpoint, Loch LochyLoch Lochy from the Great Glen Way.4 min by roadSee itLoch shore framed by trees, with hills rising beyond the water
Before you go

Open at any hour and free; seen best from the road bridge.

Where
The B8005 by Achnacarry.
The pool
The Witches Cauldron.
On film
Rob Roy, 1995.
Where it is

By the B8005 half a mile north of Achnacarry, with a car park a few metres from the bridge, PH34 4EL.

Close byAchnacarry.
  1. The Clan Cameron Museum, a long white cottage with a slate roof beside a lawn and gravel drive, its sign on the grass.Clan Cameron MuseumThe Camerons' museum down the road.4 miles 9 min by road
  2. Winding single-track road descending towards a loch beneath snow-capped mountainsLoch ArkaigA long loch west of the Great Glen, with an ancient Caledonian pine forest on its shore, ospreys, and a legend of Jacobite gold.6 miles 7 min by road
  3. Commando MemorialCommando MemorialThree bronze commandos above Spean Bridge, looking out to Ben Nevis over the ground where they trained.8 miles 10 min by road
  4. Nevis Range Mountain ResortNevis Range Mountain ResortThe UK's only mountain gondola, rising to 650 metres on Aonach Mòr near Fort William, with walks, bike trails and cafés.15 miles 20 min by road
  5. Cille Choirill, a small grey stone church with a bellcote among old gravestones and Celtic crosses on a green hillside, mountains beyond.Cille Choirill ChurchAn old church in Glen Spean.15 miles 21 min by road
Directions
Loch shore framed by trees, with hills rising beyond the waterAttractionsGreat Glen Way Viewpoint, Loch Lochy1.8 miles
The Highland Soap Company's long white building with its timber gable, trees behind, a car park in front.ShoppingThe Highland Soap Company Fort William17 miles
The curtain wall and towers of Old Inverlochy Castle round its grassy courtyard.AttractionsOld Inverlochy Castle17 miles
The Daily for 17 October, from Scotland with love. A wide waterfall churns over rock ledges, autumn trees lining the gorge.

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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
  • 18 miles from Eas Chia-aig
Check datesRiverBeds at Woodlands Glencoe
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Ballachulish
  • 20 miles from Eas Chia-aig
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Fort WilliamAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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Find out more

For further reading, before you go.