Plodda Falls is a 46-metre-high waterfall in Glen Affric National Nature Reserve, near Tomich in the Scottish Highlands. This guide covers opening hours, parking, access routes, accessibility and practical tips for planning your visit.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open 24 hours daily, year-round |
| Entry price | Free admission. Free parking |
| Address | Glen Affric, near Tomich, Highlands, IV4 7LY |
| Nearest town | Tomich (5 miles), Cannich (11 miles), Drumnadrochit (17 miles) |
| Time needed | 30 minutes for short trail; 1 hour for full loop trail |
| Distance from Inverness | Approximately 30 miles (1 hour drive) |
Plodda Falls opening hours
The waterfall and walking trails are open 24 hours a day, year-round. There are no gates or restrictions. The car park is always accessible.
The site is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland and does not have staffed facilities or visitor centre opening hours.
Plodda Falls ticket prices
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
Entry to Plodda Falls is free. There are no admission charges or booking requirements.
Parking is free at the Forestry and Land Scotland car park.
How to get to Plodda Falls
From Inverness or Fort William, follow the A82 along Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit. Turn onto the A831, signposted for Cannich. After approximately 10 miles (16 km), at a sharp right-hand bend before Cannich village, turn left onto a minor road signposted for Tomich.
Follow this road for approximately 6.25 miles (10 km) through Tomich village. After Tomich, the road becomes a single-track forest road. Continue for a further 5 miles (8 km) to reach the car park at grid reference NH 279 238.
The postcode IV4 7LY is on the road leading to Plodda Falls. From this point, continue for another 1.75 miles (2.8 km) to reach the car park. There is no mobile phone signal in Glen Affric, so download offline maps before you travel or follow signposts.
The road beyond Tomich is narrow with passing places. Drive slowly and pull over at passing places to allow other vehicles to pass on the way to this British waterfall. The road surface includes potholes and uneven sections.
Public transport: Buses run from Inverness to Tomich and Cannich throughout the year. Services are operated by Stagecoach. Visit Traveline Scotland for current timetables. From Tomich, the falls are 5 miles further along a road not served by public transport.
Parking at Plodda Falls
Free parking is available at the Forestry and Land Scotland car park at the end of the public road. The car park has space for approximately 20 vehicles. Picnic tables are available in the car park.
There are no toilet facilities at Plodda Falls. The nearest public toilets are in Tomich (5 miles) or Cannich (11 miles).
Parking is busiest between 10am and 3pm during summer months (June to September). Arrive before 10am or after 3pm for guaranteed spaces.
How long to spend at Plodda Falls
Most visitors spend 30 minutes to 1 hour at Plodda Falls, depending on which trail they choose.
The Plodda Falls Trail is 0.5 miles (1 km) and takes approximately 30 minutes. This route goes directly to the viewing platform at the top of the falls and descends to a lower viewpoint.
The Tweedmouth Trail is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) and takes approximately 1 hour. This longer loop follows the River Deabhag past towering Douglas fir trees, some of the tallest in Scotland.
Both trails include the waterfall viewing platforms. Photography from the viewing platform may add 10–15 minutes to your visit.
You can easily combine it in a day out that takes in other Scottish Highlands sites such as Beauly Priory.
Accessibility at Plodda Falls
The trails to Plodda Falls are not wheelchair accessible. Paths include uneven gravel and earth surfaces, steep slopes, stone steps and exposed tree roots. Some sections may be muddy, particularly after rain.
The Plodda Falls Trail is graded as moderate difficulty. The Tweedmouth Trail includes steeper sections and rocky terrain.
Visitors with limited mobility may find the trails challenging. The shortest route to the falls includes steps and uneven terrain throughout.
There are no accessible toilet facilities at Plodda Falls. The car park surface is gravel and uneven.
What to see at Plodda Falls
Plodda Falls drops 46 metres (151 feet) vertically into a narrow gorge. The waterfall is formed by the Allt na Bodachan stream as it joins the Abhainn Deabhag river.
A cantilevered viewing platform, built in 2009, extends over the top of the falls. This platform replaced an 1880 footbridge built by Lord Tweedmouth, owner of the Guisachan estate. From the platform, you can look directly down the waterfall into the gorge below. The platform may feel exposed and is not suitable for visitors uncomfortable with heights.
A lower viewpoint at the base of the falls provides a full view of the cascade. This viewpoint is reached via stone steps from the upper platform. The waterfall is most impressive after heavy rain, when water volume increases.
The surrounding forest includes Douglas fir, larch and grand fir trees planted by Lord Tweedmouth in the 1850s. Some of these Douglas firs are among the tallest in Scotland. Trees from this forest were reportedly used for the masts of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ship Discovery.
The area is part of Glen Affric National Nature Reserve. Wildlife includes red deer, mountain hares and golden eagles, though sightings are not guaranteed.
Practical tips for visiting Plodda Falls
| Tip |
|---|
| Download offline maps before you travel, as there is no mobile phone signal at Plodda Falls or anywhere in Glen Affric. |
| Bring water and snacks, as there are no facilities at the falls. The Coach House Café in Tomich (5 miles) serves food, and shops are available in Cannich (11 miles). |
| Wear sturdy walking boots or shoes with good grip. Paths include steep sections, stone steps and exposed tree roots that can be slippery when wet. |
| Drive slowly on the single-track road beyond Tomich and use passing places. The road surface is uneven with potholes. |
| The viewing platform at the top of the falls is cantilevered and may feel exposed. If you are uncomfortable with heights, view the falls from the lower viewpoint only. |
| Visit after heavy rainfall for the most dramatic waterfall flow. The falls can reduce to a trickle during prolonged dry periods in summer. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Plodda Falls suitable for children? | Yes, though the trail includes steep sections and steps. Children should be supervised, particularly on the viewing platform and near the gorge edge. The Plodda Falls Trail takes 30 minutes and is manageable for most children aged 5 and above. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No. Plodda Falls is open to all visitors without booking or tickets. Parking is free and available on a first-come basis. |
| Is Plodda Falls open in winter? | Yes. The falls and trails are open year-round. Winter conditions include snow, ice and shorter daylight hours. The viewing platform can be slippery when icy. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Yes. Dogs are permitted but must be kept under close control. Be aware of steep drops and keep dogs on leads near the gorge. |
| How difficult is the walk? | The Plodda Falls Trail is graded as moderate. It includes uneven terrain, steep slopes and stone steps. Reasonable fitness is required. The trail is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. |
| Is there a café or toilets? | No. There are no facilities at Plodda Falls. The nearest toilets, cafés and shops are in Tomich (5 miles) or Cannich (11 miles). |
Things to do near Plodda Falls
Dog Falls (2.75 miles east): A series of rapids and cascades on the River Affric, accessed via short woodland trails from a car park with toilets and picnic facilities.
River Affric car park (4.9 miles east): Gateway to Glen Affric National Nature Reserve with trails through ancient Caledonian pine forest, picnic areas and mountain access.
Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhain (2.7 miles northeast): A tranquil loch with gentle woodland paths and free parking. Suitable for families and picnics.
Corrimony Chambered Cairn (10 miles east): A 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial cairn with a stone circle, located near Drumnadrochit.
Urquhart Castle (17 miles northeast): Historic castle ruins on the shores of Loch Ness, operated by Historic Environment Scotland.
