The Black Spout

The Black Spout is a waterfall in Perth and Kinross, set where a burn plunges over a rock lip into a deep pool. It lies near the village of Blairgowrie, where the land rises quickly from the River Ericht’s gentle course. The fall is small but sharply angled, giving the water a dark, foaming look in wet weather. Its name comes from the Scots word ‘spout’, used for falls where water shoots out rather than glides. The burn is short and steep, typical of the burns that tumble off the Sidlaw Hills.

The Black Spout is one of many falls in Scotland, a country with over 150 recorded waterfalls. Most of these are found in the Highlands, where steep slopes and heavy rain create ideal conditions. The Sidlaw Hills, though lower than the Highlands, still produce enough drop to form a lively fall. The burn’s single drop is modest compared with the tallest falls, yet it stands out for its sharpness and the dark colour of the water.

Visitors reach the fall by a short path from a lane near Blairgowrie. The route follows the burn upstream, passing mossy rocks and ferns that thrive in the damp air. At the lip of the fall the water roars briefly before dropping into a deep pool below. The surrounding woodland is quiet except for the sound of the burn, and the air carries the scent of wet earth and pine. The fall is small but vivid, a clear example of how even modest burns can create striking scenery.