A delightful waymarked walk up a sheltered glen to an attractive waterfall. The Flowerdale Glen was given its English name by the MacKenzies of Gairloch (the owners of the estate) after its impressive displays of wild flowers.
Mostly easy walking on waymarked paths, rougher near the falls.
Bus to Gairloch.
Car park opposite the turning into Gairloch Harbour. .
Turn off the main road in Gairloch into a car park opposite the turning for the harbour. The fine Old Inn is situated just across the old bridge over the river here. Don't cross the bridge, instead taking the path that runs to the right of and parallel to a track, heading up the glen. The path passes a pond with many varied trees and rhododendrons. Ignore the signed route off to the left ('Arboretum Circular') instead keeping straight on, signed 'Waterfall Walk'.
You'll soon glimpse Flowerdale House over to the left, seat of the Mackenzies since 1738; the house remains a private residence so please respect the privacy screens. Keep on the path as it curves right, then turn left at the next junction (again signed 'Waterfall Walk'). The path crosses a bridge and boardwalk, and then another bridge. Beyond this follow the main path upriver - with lovely bluebells in summer - to reach a track at a 'T' junction. You'll return to this point later; turn left now, cross a bridge over the main river and then turn right, still signed for the waterfall. The path passes a hydroelectric station and then meets a main track - bear right along this.
Keep straight on at the utility area (ignore the track over the bridge to the righ - you'll come back across this later). Later bear right off the track onto a signed path. You'll now see glimpses the Flowerdale Waterfalls ahead, actually two falls known as the Eas Dubh and the Easan Bana. Cross a bridge to approach the falls. Although not particularly high or big by Highland standards, and hard to see with the trees, it's an attractive spot. There are two options for the ascent near the falls - a newer broad path/track on the left, or the narrower but rougher original path that keeps closer to the falls. Above the falls the routes rejoin; the glen is barer and the path soon reaches another bridge. Cross this and follow the well made path back down the far side of the stream.
There's a really beautiful view back down the Flowerdale Glen to the sea and islands beyond. The route crosses a bridge and then reaches a track at a 'T' junction - note the memorial on the left to the Blind Piper of Gairloch. Turn right to follow the track to a bridge, crossing and then rejoining the outward route at the wide turning area. Turn left here to retrace your steps back towards the start.
Keep retracing steps - forking left off the track onto the path past the hydro, and left over the bridge. At the next junction the outward route came in on the path on the right - ignore this and instead keep ahead, signed for Cherry Tree Hill.
Soon another junction is reached; keep right here, now following apath which was until the nineteenth century the main road to Gairloch from the south. Further on, keep left on the main path at a fork. It soon leads to some old commercial buildings; continue to reach the back of the Old Inn. Pass round the front of the Inn (if not going in for a drink!) and cross the old bridge back to the car park.
Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands.
