Carbost Burn Waterfall, Skye

Carbost Burn Waterfall

Carbost Burn Waterfall is a dramatic must be one of the easiest waterfalls on Skye to visit, yet it can be one of the most dramatic, especially after heavy rains.

The waterfall is, as its name suggests, is on Carbost Burn, about 1km (0.6 miles) from the point where the burn empties in Loch Harport at Carbost. On its way to the loch, the burn feeds Talisker Distillery.

If you fancy a [cold] dip, there is a pool below the base of the waterfall.

The lower falls

Getting There

From Carbost, take the B8809 road to Talisker and Eynort at the northwestern edge of Carbost, immediately past the distillery. After a hundred yards the B8009 takes a sharp bend, signposted Portnalong. Don't take the bend; carry on up the single-track road that leads straight on.

You will go over a cattle grid, and after 1km you will see the waterfall come into view on the left of the road, immediately past The Old Schoolhouse, on the right. As its name suggests, The Old Schoolhouse was built about 140 years ago and served as a school as late as the 1930s. It is now a holiday cottage.

There is no dedicated parking for the waterfall, but you can easily find a place to pull off the road onto the verge. Just make sure to leave plenty of room for other vehicles to pass.

Our family stayed for a week at the Old Schoolhouse years ago, and had a ringside seat for the waterfall, which was literally across the road. All I had to do to photograph the waterfall was to cross the road and set up my tripod at the edge of the gorge. It was literally a stone's throw from our front door.

Alternatively, take the minor road to Talisker and Eynort from the southeastern edge of Carbost. The road is marked by a sign saying simply, 'Beaches'. This will take you to the top of the waterfall, whereas the first route, past The Old Schoolhouse, is better for seeing the falls from below.

There seems to be very little information online about Carbost Burn Waterfall, yet it is quite a lovely falls, and can be quite dramatic after rain.