Eas Buidhe

Eas Buidhe is a waterfall in the western Highlands where the land drops steeply toward the coast. Rain falls often, feeding fast streams that tumble over rock edges. The name comes from Gaelic, where ‘eas’ means waterfall and ‘buidhe’ means yellow, perhaps describing the colour of the water or the rocks. It stands among other falls that share the same Gaelic word in their names across the region. The falls sit where the river leaves a high plateau and plunges into a deep gorge below. Scotland counts more than 150 named waterfalls, and most lie in the Highlands because the mountains and heavy rain create ideal conditions. Many falls are measured by their single tallest drop, though some argue over which should hold the record. Eas Buidhe appears on Ordnance Survey maps among other falls listed alphabetically. The term ‘eas’ is the commonest word for falls in the Highlands, while ‘linn’ and ‘spout’ appear further east or in older English regions. Visitors reach the falls by following paths that wind through wet woodland and over rocky ground. The river roars as it falls, and spray rises where the water hits the plunge pool. The gorge walls are steep and slippery, so care is needed near the edge. From higher viewpoints the whole drop can be seen, though mist often hides the bottom. The sound and sight of the water make it a quiet but powerful place in the hills.