Explore: the Falls of Bruar
Just an hour south of Aviemore you'll find a series of cascading waterfalls on the Bruar Water, which have been a popular tourist attraction since the 18th century. Head off on a short, but brisk, walk to the falls and enjoy the majesty of the falling water and the beautiful natural landscape. The walk starts and finishes at the wonderful House of Bruar, so you can treat yourself to some warming food, drink, and retail therapy – not to mention the poshest toilets in the highlands.
The 4th Duke of Atholl constructed a path around the falls which still stands today, as well as two viewing bridges and a number of stone shelters around the trail. The 1.5 mile path is steep at times and can be a bit of a climb, so it’s a good idea to allow plenty of time, especially if you want to enjoy the stunning views.
The House of Bruar offers full facilities for dog owners in their car park and designated dog areas, so your pet will be well taken care of if you want to bring them along.
The walk
Park at the House of Bruar and walk around the front of the building, following signs for the Falls of Bruar. The walk will take you under the railway line and upstream along the Bruar Water where deep pools are visible below. Enjoy the surrounding pine trees, birch, rowan, aspen and willow, as the path winds through the forest.
The walk continues to climb up hill so be sure to take plenty of breaks to catch your breath. You’ll eventually reach a carved wooden bench where a flight of steps goes up to the right – these steps lead to a viewing platform for the first of the falls. Continue on the main path to reach the lower platform just beyond.
Don’t cross this lower platform but continue on the uphill path for the higher bridge. Carry on heading uphill ignoring a path to the left which climbs away from the river. Eventually you reach the pretty stone upper bridge which offers views down into the gorge.
Keep going up the path on the other side of the bridge and after a short distance there’s a picnic area off to the left with good views of the Bruar Water. The walk continues on the main path though Scots pine and then begins to descend again. When you reach the lower bridge cross it and continue back down the outward path to the start of the walk.
In total, the walk is around 1.5 miles and should take around one to one and a half hours.
Did you know?
This spectacular landscape has been recognised as a beauty spot for over 200 years and was the inspiration for one of Robert Burns’ 1787 poems ‘The Humble Petition of Bruar Water’. Written from the point of view of the water, which at the time flowed through a harsh landscape of rock and stone, it asks the 4th Duke of Atholl to ‘shade my banks wi’ tow’ring trees, and bonnie spreading bushes’. This request was granted and in 1976 the first pine plantations were laid out, providing the lush and leafy greenery that is now synonymous with the meandering Bruar River.