Falls of Glomach
| Falls of Glomach | |
|---|---|
 Falls of Glomach | |
  | |
| Location | Ross-shire, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°16′43″N 5°17′21″W / 57.2786°N 5.2892°W |
| Total height | 113 metres (371 ft) |
| Watercourse | Allt a' Ghlomaich |
The Falls of Glomach, in Highland, Scotland, is one of the tallest waterfalls in Britain, with a single drop of 113 m (370 ft). The falls are located approximately 18 miles (29 km) east of Kyle of Lochalsh, in the historic county of Ross-shire.[1] The word glòmach means "hazy" or "gloomy" in Scottish Gaelic,[2] but can also mean "chasm".[3] While not the highest waterfall in Scotland or the UK, it is considered one of the most spectacular.[4]
The falls are at the northern edge of Kintail, which was donated to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) in 1944 and subsequently incorporating West Affric in 1993.[5] It is not easily reached on foot, requiring a 20 kilometre trek through remote and wild countryside.[6] There are multiple walking routes into the falls, but the main one advised by NTS is from Morvich via the Bealach na Sroine (pass of the nose), a 5–6 hour round trip of 17.5 km (10.9 mi) and 790 m (2,590 ft) ascent through remote countryside with limited mobile reception.[7][8][9]
It is difficult to photograph the whole falls in one shot because of their height and lack of a good vantage point.[9]
The top of the falls is at an elevation of 320 m (1,050 ft) above sea level, where the Abhainn Gaorsaic plunges into a gorge. Downstream of the falls this is named the Allt a' Ghlomaich, which is a left bank tributary of the River Elchaig.[10][11]
In 1973, an 11 year old girl fell 60 m (200 ft) down into the gorge. Although unhurt, it took the Kintail Mountain Rescue Team nine hours with 40 people to rescue her, which was one of the most difficult the team had to do according to the leader at the time. Rosie McCusker (née Horder) donated £5,000 to the Kintail MRT 50 years later as a thank you for the rescue.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Falls of Glomach. Getting here". National Trust for Scotland. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Five waterfalls to visit". The Herald. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "LearnGaelic - Dictionary - glòmach". learngaelic.scot. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Falls Of Glomach – Waterfalls". www.visitscotland.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Kintail & Morvich". The National Trust for Scotland. Archived from the original on 27 August 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Falls of Glomach". National Trust for Scotland. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Falls of Glomach - Planning your visit". National Trust for Scotland. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Falls of Glomach - easiest route (from Morvich)". walkhighlands. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Falls of Glomach - Remote Waterfall Among Britain's Tallest". World of Waterfalls. 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ OS Explorer (Map). 1:25,000. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 23 August 2025 – via Bing maps.
- ^ OS OpenMap Local (Map). 1:10,000. Ordnance Survey. April 2025.
- ^ "Kintail rescue team donation 50 years after Ayr girl's rescue". BBC News. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2025.