Eagle's Fall

Eagle’s Fall stands in Argyll and Bute, where the Highlands meet the west coast’s damp air. The land rises steeply from river valleys, and the burn cuts deep into the rock, creating a single drop that is tall enough to be counted among Scotland’s highest falls. Waterfalls here are often called ‘eas’ in Gaelic, and this name shows the language still lives in the hills. The fall is not the tallest in the country, but it is one of the more striking ones in the south-western Highlands. The fall is measured by its single vertical drop rather than the total height of several tiers. Many Scottish falls make claims that do not stand up to close inspection, so the measurement matters. The burn that feeds the fall tumbles down through a narrow gorge, adding to the drama of the scene. The damp climate keeps the rocks slick and the spray constant, so the water is always in motion. Visitors reach the fall by following a path that winds through mixed woodland. The trees are mostly birch and oak, with rowan scattered among them, and the ground is soft underfoot from the constant moisture. The final approach brings the sound of rushing water closer, until the fall itself appears between the trunks. The plunge pool below is deep and dark, catching the light in shifting patterns. From the best viewpoint the full height of the drop can be seen, framed by the steep sides of the glen.