You’re visiting Dundee. You like waterfalls.
So let me guess: you’re looking for the best waterfalls near Dundee.
Well, like a rapid-riding mind-reader, I’ve brought you the best of them. 17 to be exact.
Expect a combo of family-friendly stuff, remote adventures, long drives, close-to-Dundee charmfests, and everything in between.
Bring your swimsuit, pack some sandwiches, and some join the fall-finding frenzy. Today, your good buddies at Travelness are visiting the top 17 waterfalls near Dundee. And you’re coming with us!
As you’ll see, lots of these waterfalls are inaccessible by public transport. So if you don’t have your own car, it might seem like you’re outta luck. But hitchhiking is very easy and very safe in Scotland. I’ve done it hundreds of times.
1. Kemback Waterfalls
Alright, I’ll be honest with you—calling this one of the best waterfalls near Dundee is probably making it sound a bit more impressive than it actually is.
But it’s near the city, and it’s located close to some other decent adventures. So if you’re looking for easy, accessible and stress-free, you’ve found it.
Yep, the piddly little fall won’t blow your hat off. But the adventures around it just might. Close-by, you get St Andrews (one of the most action-packed seaside towns in Scotland), the lovely villages of Crail and Anstruther, the Fife Coastal Path, and plenty of great beaches.
How to get to Kemback Waterfalls from Dundee: if you’re driving, head south along the A914—then keep going south past the village of Dairsie. If you’re relying on public transport, the journey can take up to 90 minutes… so don’t bother with the hassle.
2. Arbirlot Waterfall
Not the most impressive waterfall in the world, but part of the 2-mile (3.2 km) family-friendly Arbirlot Nature Trail. Running from the village of Elliot to the waterfall, the one-way walk takes you along the Elliot Water, for a cute, cozy and simple stroll.
If you want to make your wander longer, you can also head east along the coast, from Elliot to Arbroath. I would. And while you’re in the area, I recommend exploring Arbroath, and chowing down on fish and chips at The Marina.
The waterfall itself is a little bigger and faster than most people expect, and it forms a plunge pool at the bottom—so you can come here for a little dip.
How to get to Arbirlot Waterfall from Dundee: by car, follow the A92 east. Just before Elliot, turn off and head briefly north. If you’re using public transport, you’ll want to hop off the bus at this just-before-Elliot junction… then walk from there.
3. Reekie Linn Waterfall
One of the best waterfalls close to Dundee, smelly-sounding Reekie Linn is made up of two tiers, and it’s popular for both walking and swimming.
Sitting inside a gorge, the fall is pretty deep, and the water is much more intense than most people expect. So if you’re having a paddle here, be careful.
It’s a popular spot with families, and offers places to picnic and wander. The short walk from the car park is pretty but precarious… so make sure you or your kids don’t fall over the trail edge and into the gorge. That would probably ruin your day out a bit.
Other close-by adventure spots include the Loch of Lintrathen (you can walk around its entire perimeter), the RSPB site at Loch of Kinnordy, and some nice cafes and walks in Blairgowrie and Rattray.
How to get to Reekie Linn Waterfall from Dundee: by car, head northwest, following the B954. By public transport, the journey is way too lengthy to be worth it.
4. John Knox’s Pulpit
I know subpar travel writers love banging on about ‘hidden gems’… but John Knox’s Pulpit sits inside what I reckon really is a hidden gem.
Located inside Lomond Hills Regional Park, not enough hikers come here. In and around it, you get hill-backed reservoirs, serene riversides, low-level peaks, underrated towns, and loads more action and adventure.
… and as you’ve probably worked out, you also get some waterfalls. Strangely-named John Knox’s Pulpit is small—but it’s always pretty, it’s rarely busy, and a visit can easily be combined with a wander up the peak of West Lomond.
If you’re looking for adventurous (and close to adventures) without heading far from Dundee, this is the best option on our list.
How to get to John Knox’s Pulpit from Dundee: head southwest on the A92 and A91, then head south when you hit Gateside. There’s no public transport option.
5. Black Linn Waterfall
Another of the best waterfalls near Dundee, and another waterfall plopped in an underrated part of the nation.
This one sits at the southern end of Tay Forest Park, a densely-treed funfest with flat walks, loads of pine trees, and a bunch of resident wildlife.
You can’t swim in Black Linn Waterfall, and because a viewing platform* is built above the falls, you also can’t come too close. But the powerful three-stream beast is a popular tourist attraction… and if you’re gonna be in this part of Scotland anyway, it’s definitely worth ticking off your list.
*This viewing platform is alluringly entitled ‘Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors.’ But don’t let that trick you; it’s basically just a riverside shack made of bricks.
How to get to Black Linn Waterfall from Dundee: if you’re driving, follow the A90 west—then when you hit Perth, follow the A9 north. Again (this is becoming a bit of a theme here), there’s no public transport option.
6. Crawton Waterfall
Completely different to everything else we’ve brought you on our list, Crawton Waterfall drops right off an oceanside cliff, and into the North Sea.
So you can’t swim in it, you can’t climb around it, and you can’t sit at the bottom of it. But you can point at it and say things like “woah, I’ve never seen a waterfall like that before.”
The waterfall is right beside some coastal wanders and the birdy fun of RSPB Fowlsheugh (where you might spot some puffins)… and it’s also pretty close to the big(ish) coastal town of Stonehaven, and the massive atmospheric ruins of Dunnottar Castle.
There’s plenty to do on a coastal day out from Dundee here, and I can’t recommend the fall (and the area) enough.
How to get to Crawton Waterfall from Dundee: if you’re driving, follow the A92 all the way along the coast—it’s a lovely ride. The journey is possible by public transport, but all options are pretty convoluted.
7. Falls of Unich
Sitting in the southeastern corner of Cairngorms National Park (the biggest in the UK), the Falls of Unich is one of the most under-the-radar options on our list.
Bounding down a bunch of mossy rocks, and with hills looming in the background, it’s one of the most scenic falls we’ve brought you.
Even better, there’s a great way to combine a visit with loads more outdoor-adventure stuff. I recommend this hike, which brings you to a bunch of peaks, a bunch of loch-y views, and plenty more. A genuinely brilliant walk, I massively recommend it.
If you can, spend a day or two in this area (or way more). The Cairngorms National Park is brimming with endless excitement—you could spend months here without getting bored.
How to get to X from Dundee: if you’re driving, follow the A90 east—and shortly after passing Brechin, head northwest, in the direction of Loch Lee and Invermark Castle. Again, there’s no public transport option.
8. Falls of Moness
This area is most well-known for its links to that old Scottish poet Robert Burns. His Birks of Aberfeldy was inspired by the place, which is home to a bunch of small waterfalls.
The best way to explore them is on this wander, which measures in at 2.5 miles (3.5 km), and takes you along a gorge, past a river, up a ravine, and… of course… past the several small falls. It’s short, simple and pretty easy, but it’s full of pretty stuff—and it’s also massively popular.
When you’re done, head slightly west to lovely lovely Loch Tay.
Note: I wouldn’t bother reading the poem. Unless you really love apostrophes.
How to get to the Falls of Moness from Dundee: if you’re driving, follow the A90 west, then the A9 north—then when you hit Dunkeld, turn off to the A822 and the A826. By public transport, the trip takes around 3 hours—so don’t bother.
9. Cramond Falls
Quick disclaimer: this really isn’t one of the best waterfalls near Dundee.
But it sits super close to the center of Edinburgh… so if you want to combine an Edinburgh trip with a waterfalls trip, this place is for you.
I recommend heading north from Edinburgh’s center to the city’s coast. Then head west past Granton Beach, Silverknowes Beach and Cramond Beach… and when you hit the pretty river, follow it to the falls. So the falls might not be great, but the walk is.
For much more information on Edinburgh, check out our guides to the best hikes in Edinburgh, the best day trips from Edinburgh, and our ultimate 2-day itinerary for the city.
How to get to Cramond Falls from Dundee: by car, follow the A90 and M90—when you reach the outskirts of Edinburgh, stop at Cramond. If you’re using public transport, I recommend taking a direct train from Dundee to Edinburgh, before then hitting the coastal wander to the falls.
10. Loup of Fintry
Bigger than most people realize, the Loup of Fintry is one of the best waterfalls near Dundee for a whole bunch of reasons.
It’s swimmable, it’s wide, it’s pretty, it’s surrounded by a bunch of low-level hikes (the walk to Cairnoch Hill trig point is easy but great), and it’s also surrounded by loads more fun.
Other adventures here include exploring Loch Walton and Carron Valley Reservoir (the latter of which is a popular ride-around spot for mountain bikers)—and visits to Falkirk, Stirling, and Bridge of Allan.
If you’re looking for an under-the-radar recommendation, you’ve found it.
How to get to the Loup of Fintry from Dundee: by car, head southwest along the A90 and the A9 to Dunblane—then head southwest past Stirling, and past Carron Valley Reservoir. Again, there’s no public transport option.
11. The Devil’s Pulpit
This place isn’t particularly impressive… so calling it one of the best waterfalls near Dundee is probably a bit generous.
But an adventure here takes you very close to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Which is a pretty good excuse to tackle the trip.
The Devil’s Pulpit gets its name because of its strange red color, which makes it look all creepy (though, obviously, that’s actually just the result of the red sandstone lying beneath it).
The waterfall is unusual, the gorge it sits in is mossy and atmospheric, the whole area is easy to access, and it’s beside some of Scotland’s most family-friendly attractions—so it’s a great option for anyone traveling with kids.
How to get to The Devil’s Pulpit from Dundee: if you’re driving, head southwest on the A90, A9 and A811. By public transport, the journey is far too long to be worthwhile.
12. Dess Waterfall
Dess Waterfall is one of the most swimmable options on our list. If you’re looking for a family-friendly have-a-cold-dip spot, get yourself here.
Super scenic, the surprisingly-tall falls look more like something you’d see in Thailand—spread wide, they tumble over rocks, moss and tree roots, and fall into a pretty big plunge pool. They’re one of my favorites on this list, and they’re a top-quality spot for a picnic.
The 10-minute wooded walk from the car park to the falls is a nice wander.
As a handy bonus, Dess Waterfall sits pretty close to Aberdeen—which you should definitely explore while you’re in the area. I reckon it’s the most underrated city in Scotland.
How to get to Dess Waterfall from Dundee: you have a few different driving options, but I’d follow the A92 coastal road to Stonehaven, before then heading northwest towards (and beyond) Banchory. If you’re using public transport, the 201 bus runs from Aberdeen, pretty much right to the falls—and Dundee and Aderdeen are connected by train.
13. Campsie Waterfall
A popular choice for waterfall-visiting from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, Campsie Waterfall isn’t the most impressive place in the world.
(so, yep, you’re right, it’s not reaaalllly one of the best waterfalls near Dundee).
But you can visit the place as part of a wider adventure (either when you’re roving around Glasgow, or when you’re exploring Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park).
The waterfall itself is made up of a few small drops, and a few small plunge pools… so it’s a decent spot for a swim.
How to get to Campsie Waterfall from Dundee: if you’re driving, follow the A90 and A9 to Dunblane, before heading past both Stirling and Lennoxtown. By public transport, you’ll be moving for around 3 hours one-way, so don’t bother.
For much more information on adventures in and around Glasgow, check out our guides on the best places to stay in Glasgow, the best day trips from Glasgow, and whether or not the place is safe to visit (of course it is, you silly little worrywort).
14. Inversnaid Waterfall
I reckon you’ve probably already heard of Loch Lomond.
One of the best lochs in Scotland, it’s also the biggest loch in Scotland (if you measure it by surface area).
Well, Inversnaid Waterfall drops directly into the loch—you can swim here, picnic here, or just wander around.
It’s a long drive, but it’s definitely worth it. And if you can, I recommend making this into a longer-than-one-day-trip: there’s loads of great stuff to explore in and around Loch Lomond, no matter what you’re into, and who you’re traveling with.
HIghlights include the ascent up Ben Lomond, wanders around Loch Katrine, LOADS of family-friendly stuff, and visits to the towns of Aberfoyle, Callander, and Balloch.
How to get to Inversnaid Waterfall from Dundee: if you’re driving, follow the A9 and A90 west, then keep pushing further west to Aberfoyle. After Aberfoyle, keep heading northwest to Inversnaid. There’s no good public transport option.
15. Falls of Falloch
Not just one of the best waterfalls near Dundee, but also one of the best waterfalls in all of Scotland.
The Falls of Falloch sit towards the northern end of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, and their drop measures in at around 10 meters (33 feet). You’ll find an observation deck, some places to swim, and (if you come in summer) loads of tourists.
Even though they’re remote and quite far from Dundee, the falls sit right on the A82 road. So they’re pretty easy to access—and they’re only a 5-minute walk from the layby car park.
If you have time, you should combine a trip to the Falls of Falloch with a trip to Inversnaid Waterfall. What a combo.
How to get to Falls of Falloch from Dundee: by car, follow the A90, A85 and A82 west. If you’re relying on public transport, you’re out of luck.
16. Calder Mill Waterfall
Calder Mill Waterfall is actually pretty far from Dundee. So I only recommend visiting if you’re already gonna be exploring Glasgow… or you’re already gonna be exploring Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.
That said, if you do make your way here, you’ll be able to get knee-deep in a load of adventure variety. Highlights include the strange tower house of Barr Castle, adventures in and around both Barr Loch and Castle Semple Loch, and the bird-packed RSPB Center at Lochwinnoch
And to top it all off, the wide waterfall is a great spot for a picnic and a wander, and it’s a solid family-friendly day out. It gets popular in summer.
How to get to Calder Mill Waterfall from Dundee: if you’re driving, head southwest to Glasgow, then continue along the A737 past Paisley. Or you can take a train from Dundee to very-close-the-waterfall Lochwinnoch (but you’ll need to change trains in Glasgow).
17. Steall Waterfall
Okay, I have a confession to make.
I’m a liar.
Remember how at the beginning of this guide, I said I wasn’t going to include any falls that are more than a 2-hour drive from Dundee? Well our last entry sits around 3 hours from the city.
But bear with me… this massive beast is the second-highest waterfall in Scotland, with a lofty height of 120 meters (393 feet). So, yeah, it’s far from Dundee… but it’s definitely worth driving to.
It’s not just impressive because of its size—it’s also impressive because of its location. Plonked between Fort William and Glencoe, it’s surrounded by hefty mountains, all looming over the place. So you get endless great views, loads of opportunities for challenging hikes, and plenty of shots for your Instagram.
How to get to Steall Waterfall from Dundee: in a car, head west towards Perth—when you hit Perth, head northwest on the A9… and after Dalwhinnie, you then want to head west towards Fort William. There’s no good solution via public transport.
Before You Go
There they are—the 17 best waterfalls near Dundee!
Since you won’t have time to wander to them all, you’re probably looking for my top recommendations. Well, they are Reekie Linn (if you want something close to the city), the Loup of Fintry (for an underrated choice) and Steall Waterfall (it’s a long drive, but it’s worth it).
For accommodation options in the city here’s the list of the best hostels in Dundee.
For more waterfall-based fun, swim on over to our guides on the best waterfalls near Glasgow, the best waterfalls near Edinburgh, and the best waterfalls near Inverness.
Thanks for reading, thanks for visiting Travelness, and thanks for being you. Bye for now!
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