Falls of Bruar
Atholl Estates
The natural waterfalls have been attracting visitors since about the 1720s – when the ‘new roads’ made the area more generally accessible – and the woodland surrounding the Bruar gorge is a living memorial to the poet Robert Burns, who came here in 1787 to admire the falls. At that time the steep slopes were bare, so Burns wrote The Humble Petition of Bruar Water in which he urged the 4th Duke of Atholl to plant its bleak banks with trees.
When Burns died in 1796, the duke created a ’wild garden’ in his memory, planting the riverbanks and establishing paths, decorative bridges and summer houses.
Today, though there are no survivors from the 4th Duke’s original plantings, mixed larch (Larix deciduas) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) woodland cloak the banks of the Bruar Water. Varying in age from 35 to 100 years old, the trees provide a natural canopy for the amazing woodland walk.
There is a choice of two way marked paths. Work is to be carried out on the route to the lower bridge as part of the Heritage & Access Project, to make it more accessible to people of differing abilities. The shorter route is perfect for visitors short on time or energy. This path upgrade, however, is no excuse for not being properly shod!
The longer route continues past the first bridge and climbs to the top of the falls, forming a circular path back to the car park.
Visit any time of year.
Moderate-going walk of 1 miles/ 1.5 km. Paths can be slippy. Children should be closely supervised at all times near the steep slopes.
Location
At Bruar, 10 miles/ 16 km north of Pitlochry, off the A9 and is well signposted from the surrounding road network
Public transport & other facilities
Take the bus from Pitlochry.
Extensive car parking provision for the Falls is provided at the House of Bruar, including coach and disabled bays.
Toilets and refreshments are provided at the House of Bruar and can also be found in nearby Blair Atholl.