Black Rock Gorge, Evanton

This short woodland walk from Evanton visits the Black Rock Gorge, an unexpectedly dramatic box canyon which featured in the film of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Terrain

Paths and tracks through the woods, muddy in places. Great care is needed near the edge of the gorge. Short section of minor road.

Public Transport

Bus service to Evanton.

Start

Car park at centre of Evanton. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park in the car park opposite the Cornerstone cafe and bookshop in the centre of Evanton. Cross the main road and take the road between the Co-op and the Post Office, heading towards an impressive old chapel which is now a private house. Turn right into Camden Street and follow this to the end where a signed track bends left to head uphill. Stay on the main track as it passes a couple of houses and then becomes tree-lined. At junctions continue ahead ignoring tracks leading into house gardens.

Stage 2

Follow the track with the woods on the left and a field on the right. Soon a junction of tracks is reached with an information board, and a log cabin to the right - this is used by the Evanton Community Woodlands project that manages these woods. Take the path almost opposite the log cabin, with an adventure playground on the left. Continue on this track high above the river, passing a finely carved bench. Keep straight ahead when another track is reached and soon after look out for a path on the right leading downhill (sign for Black Rock Gorge). At the bottom of the hill you can detour to the first bridge over the gorge. This doesn't have the best view of the gorge which is deeper further upstream keep on the west side of the river, following the fenced path along the gorge to reach a second bridge.

Stage 3

The scene looks placid enough until you are on the wooden footbridge itself, and look down. So narrow is the gorge that you might expect to see just a small stream below the bridge, but instead there is a dark chasm with the water over a hundred feet below. The sandstone rocks are strangely contorted and the gorge has an eerie, magical atmosphere - a fitting place to film a scene for the Harry Potter movies. So narrow is the gorge that it is extremely difficult to photograph - but it must be seen. Cross the bridge and climb up the path on the far side.

Stage 4

The path curves right and widens to follow a track with a field on the left side. Fork right on a path that leads down to the lower bridge. Don't cross, but instead turn left on a rough path that heads downstream on the very edge of the gorge - this section requires care but can be avoided by returning to the main path and taking a second fork to the right instead. The two options soon rejoin. Continue downstream until a small hydro generator building is reached. Continue on a riverside path until it eventually turns left and climbs up to the road, with a good view of Fyrish monument ahead.

Stage 5

Turn right on the minor road and follow the road downhill and eventually reaching the main road. Turn right here and follow this, crossing the river and passing the entrance to the caravan park and the Novar Arms before reaching the start point.

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