Reekie Linn, Glen Isla

Summary

The Reekie Linn is the most impressive waterfall in the region, its great power making it an awesome sight especially in spate. The very short walk to it is very pleasant through deciduous woodland on the rim of a deep and dangerous gorge.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Very short walk on woodland path. The path follows the rim of a deep gorge with an unprotected drop - great care is needed.

Getting there

Start

Bridge of Craigisla.

Public Transport

Very limited bus (122) from Blairgowrie, Alyth.

Start Grid Ref

NO252538

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 1km / 0.5 miles
Time: 40 minutes
Ascent: 30m (Profile)

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Explorer 381 - Blairgowrie

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

There is a car park especially for the Reekie Linn on north side of the Bridge of Craigisla, a few miles north of Alyth. This is a beautiful spot, with picnic tables down by the River Isla whilst the bridge itself is attractive. Begin the walk by heading downriver, passing the picnic tables on the grassy banks.

Stage 2

The path goes through a gate and then runs through picturesque woodland beside the rushing River Isla. Watch out for dippers, for whom this is a favourite habitat. This first section of the walk crosses a hard bedrock, but further down the Isla the rock is more easily-eroded sandstone - the falls lie at the junction as they have worn the sandstone away and created a deep gorge.

Stage 3

Soon the path rises gently and it becomes obvious that the falls are directly below in the gorge. Although it is possible to detour to look down onto the falls here, great care is needed and stick to the fairly level ground - or give it a miss, as the falls are much better seen further along the main path. From here on there is a dramatic gorge immediately on the right - an unprotected drop of over 45 metres. On this section you can see why the falls got their name, as the spray from the cataract often fills the gorge with fine mist.

Stage 4

Continuing on the path, a natural viewpoint is reached looking back upriver to the falls, and it is from here that they are seen to best effect. If the flow is not so great then the falls are a double leap of 6 metres and then 18 metres, but when the Isla is in spate they merge into a single fall - and it is the great volume of water that make the Reekie Linn so impressive. The force is so great that the plunge pool beneath the falls has been gouged to a depth of 36 metres - undermining the falls and no doubt leading to their eventual collapse.

Stage 5

Unseen from the path is the Black Dub, a large cave where a local outlaw is said to have seen the Devil in the form of a giant black dog - so frightening that he gave himself up. It is not possible to see the Black Dub and the walk returns the same way. If you wish, it is possible to continue on the narrowing path between the top of the gorge and the fields, but it does become increasingly rough and eventually it is necessary to turn back and retrace your steps to the car park.

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