Located in the Scottish Highlands, Rogie Falls are a series of waterfalls on the scenic Black Water River. Here is a complete guide.
How To Get To Rogie Falls
Rogie Falls are situated approximately 22 miles north west of Inverness, 2 miles from the village of Contin.
By Bus:
There is a bus service that runs from the village of Contin which is just over 2 miles from the Falls.
By Car:
Via A9 and A835 from Inverness, it takes about 30 minutes. (IV14 9EQ is the nearest postcode.)
From Contin, take the A835 road west, heading for Ullapool for about two miles. Before long you will see the sign for the Rogie Falls car park on the left side of the road.
Parking is free in this car park and you’re also allowed to camp overnight in your campervan.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
Rogie Falls Entrance Fee
It is free to visit Rogie Falls
Rogie Falls Opening Times
Rogie Falls is open every day, all year round.
Best Time To Visit Rogie Falls + Tips
If you want to witness the amazing phenomenon of salmon leaping upstream, you need to visit during August and September.
The car park can get quite busy so aim to arrive early.
There are toilets located in the Rogie Falls car park.
The footpaths can become muddy and there are also tree roots to look out for so sensible shoes are recommended.
Rogie Falls was the first official stop on our NC500 itinerary following on from Loch Morlich and Dores Beach which aren’t technically on the trail. Before we headed to Tarbat Ness Lighthouse for the night.
What To Pack
What To Expect At Rogie Falls
From the car park, there are a couple of short scenic walks to choose from, to take you to the Falls. The easier yellow route or the blue route which is a bit more rugged.
Along the way you will see information boards that give you facts about the area.
A new suspension bridge has recently been built across the impressive Black Water River. In fact, this bridge allows you to get quite close up to the waterfalls.
The waterfalls are really pretty and the suspension bridge makes a great centrepiece. This, along with the beautiful scenery surrounding the falls make for some great photo opportunities.
In addition, if you visit after heavy rain fall, with the water gushing down from the slopes of Ben Wyvis, the waterfalls are even more sensational.
Also, if you visit during August/September, you have a good chance of spotting the amazing sight of wild salmon leaping upstream!
We stopped at Rogie Falls in the morning, before heading onto Whaligoe Steps and camping at John O’Groats to break up the best things to do on the North Coast 500 nicely.
Why Do Salmon Leap Upstream?
Salmon swim and leap upstream as this is part of their reproductive cycle and it helps to ensure the survival of their offspring.
Salmon are anadromous, meaning they are born in freshwater, migrate to the saltwater ocean for most of their adult life and then return to freshwater to reproduce.
This challenging journey is both a form of migration and a way to ensure that the young salmon survive long enough to hatch and grow into adults.
When the young salmon hatch in their home stream, they remember the smell of it. Furthermore, as they migrate downstream towards the ocean, they may even remember certain smells along the way.
Hence, after being away for many years, when these salmon return as adults, they will use those smells to find their home stream.
Where To Stay In Scotland
Luxury – exploreNESS Apartment
Offering free WiFi and free private parking, exploreNESS Apartment is located in Inverness, just 0.8 miles from Inverness Castle.
The property is less than 0.6 miles from Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and 1.6 miles from Caledonian Thistle.
The apartment features 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided.
A buffet breakfast is available daily at the apartment.
Mid-Budget – Loch Earn
Located 1.7 miles from Inverness Castle, Loch Earn provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.
There is also a kitchen in some of the units with a dishwasher, a fridge, and an oven.
A continental breakfast is available daily at the bed and breakfast.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Budget – Inverness Youth Hostel
Just 10 minutes’ walk from Inverness Rail Station, Inverness Youth Hostel offers free private parking and bicycle storage.
Eastgate shopping centre is a 10-minute walk from this hostel. Hootananny, a popular music venue, is just 15 minutes’ walk away.
Culloden Battlefield and its visitor centre is just a 10-minute drive away. The banks of Loch Ness and the country village of Dores are both a 20-minute drive away.
All rooms have a shared bathroom. Packed lunch and luggage storage is available on request.
For more places to stay in Scotland, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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