Mealt Falls & Kilt Rock (Isle of Skye) Driving about 25 minutes north from Portree along the A855, you’ll reach the sign for Kilt Rock. From there, a large parking area and an accessible viewing platform make it very easy to stop and explore. It’s only a one-minute walk from the car park to the viewpoint, so it feels more like a roadside stop than a hike. But the scenery is far from small-scale. This spot combines Mealt Falls and the dramatic cliffs of Kilt Rock, creating a much grander coastal landscape than the previous viewpoint. The waterfall drops directly off the cliff into the sea below, framed by vast ocean views and rugged highland scenery. The surrounding cliffs are made of layered basalt rock formations that resemble the pleats of a Scottish kilt, which is how Kilt Rock got its name. From a distance, the mountains and cliff structure look shaped by ancient geological forces, almost like a natural sculpture carved over time. It’s a quick stop, but the scale and atmosphere make it feel much more powerful than expected, especially with the wind, ocean sound, and sheer drop of the waterfall into the sea.
Mealt Falls
Waterfall height
Plan your visit to Mealt Falls
Please verify on the official website before you go
Why is Mealt Falls famous?
Mealt Falls is famous for its dramatic coastal location where it plunges 55 meters directly from the clifftop into the sea beside Kilt Rock, a striking basalt formation resembling a kilt's pleats. It's one of Scotland's most photographed waterfalls due to its spectacular coastal cliff setting and easy roadside access.
Can you swim at Mealt Falls?
No. The waterfall plunges directly from a cliff into the sea, making swimming not feasible or safe. Please verify on the official website before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Mealt Falls?
Dogs are generally allowed on leads in the area. Please verify on the official website before you go.
Is Mealt Falls free? Do you need a permit?
Free. No entry fee or permit required to visit the viewpoint. Please verify on the official website before you go.
Is there parking at Mealt Falls?
There is a car park at the Kilt Rock viewpoint where Mealt Falls is viewed from. Parking is free. The viewpoint is directly accessible from the car park. Please verify on the official website before you go.
How long is the hike to Mealt Falls?
Roadside (no hike). The waterfall is viewed from a purpose-built viewpoint platform immediately adjacent to the car park. Please verify on the official website before you go.
Mealt Falls hike difficulty
Roadside (no hike). The viewing platform is wheelchair-accessible and requires no walking beyond the car park. Please verify on the official website before you go.
When is the best time to visit Mealt Falls?
Spring and early summer (April–June) offer good water flow and longer daylight hours, while autumn can be dramatic but wetter. Please verify on the official website before you go.
Route and trail notes for Mealt Falls
From the car park at Kilt Rock, walk directly to the viewing platform which overlooks both Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. The waterfall is viewed from above as it drops from the cliff top into the sea below. There is no trail down to the base of the falls.
Attractions near Mealt Falls
- •Kilt Rock – Dramatic basalt cliff formation adjacent to Mealt Falls with viewing platform
- •Quiraing – Spectacular landslip with hiking trails and unique rock formations (30 min drive)
- •Old Man of Storr – Iconic rock pinnacle with popular hiking trail (20 min drive south)
- •Portree – Charming harbor town, Isle of Skye's main settlement (20 min drive)
- •Lealt Falls – Another coastal waterfall a few miles south on the same road
Safety information
Waterfalls can be unforgiving. Read these before you go — and please, use your judgement on the day.
Full safety guide →Questions & answers
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