Bracklinn Falls, Callander: Everything You Need to Know

Bracklinn Falls is one of the best waterfalls near Glasgow. Located near Callander, in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the waterfall is an impressive natural attraction. To chase these splendid falls, there are actually a few different walking routes to choose from. In this guide, we’re going to talk about all the different routes, focussing on the Bracklinn Falls Circuit Walk that Beck and I did and highly recommend. Additionally, we’ll provide you with all of the other relevant information about visiting the delightful waterfall.

A Loch Lomond cruise is a memorable thing to do in the national park. Make sure to do a Loch Lomond Cruise during your visit to the area.

About Bracklinn Falls, Callander

Bracklinn Falls is a small yet stunning waterfall worth visiting in Scotland. The source of the waterfall is Keltie Water – a river, originating north of the waterfall, near Loch Lubnaig in the Southern Highlands. Interestingly, Bracklinn Falls is actually the point at which Keltie Water crosses the Highlands Boundary Fault Line, separating the Scottish highlands and lowlands.

So, exactly where is this waterfall located?

Where Is Bracklinn Falls?

Bracklinn Falls is located, near Callander, on the eastern edge of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. To help get your bearings, please click on the image below to access an interactive map of the area.

FYI – on Google Maps, use ‘Bracklinn Falls Bridge‘ to locate the waterfall.

Bracklinn Falls Walks: The Options

There are several different walks you can do to reach the magnificent Bracklinn Falls. Below, we’ll detail the four most popular Bracklinn Falls walks. We’ll list them in order of distance, from the shortest walk to the longest walk.

• Bracklinn Falls Walk: the quickest and easiest way to see the waterfall is to complete and out and back walk from the Bracklinn Falls Car Park. Indeed, this is the shortest route option for seeing the falls.
• Bracklinn Falls Circuit Walk: this is perhaps the most popular walking route. This circular walk is often the recommended route, as it visits a sensational natural pool and area of cascades called, Scouts Pool, further north along the Keltie Water. As mentioned, this is the walk that Beck and I chose to do. With this in mind, this is the walk that we’ll describe in this guide.
• Bracklinn Falls Circuit From Callander: this is a good option if you don’t have a car and have arrived in Callander using public transport. From Callander, it’s an approx. 1.3km walk to reach the Bracklinn Falls Car Park – the official trailhead of the circular walk.
• Callander Crags and Bracklinn Falls Walk: this route option also involves visiting Callander Crags.

Bracklinn Falls Circuit Walk Statistics

Let’s talk more about the Bracklinn Falls Circuit Walk. Below, you’ll find trail specs for this circular route.

• Type: Loop
• Distance: 5.5km (3.4 miles)
• Time: 1.5–2 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 215m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Bracklinn Falls Car Park

Bracklinn Falls Circuit Walk Maps (GPS and OS)

In terms of trail navigation, Beck and I used a GPS-guided map (linked below) to help us navigate the route. Although, the path from the car park to the waterfall is well-defined and easy to follow. So, during this initial stage of the walk, you won’t be needing a map. Thereafter, reaching Scouts Pool is also fairly straightforward. But, as always, just in case, it’s handy to have a map.

• GPS-Guided Map with GPX File to download: AllTrails
• Ordnance Survey Map to buy: The Trossachs, Callander, Aberfoyle & Lochearnhead, Balquhidder & Strathyre

Bracklinn Falls Circuit Walk: Terrain and Profile

You’ll encounter a clear and well-defined path, that runs through the forest from the car park to the waterfall. Afterwards, you’ll follow a narrower and steeper trail through dense forest that’s still easy to navigate. Then, you’ll leave the dense forest, following a wide and open trail towards Scouts Pool. Soon after leaving Scouts Pool, you’ll join a minor road that leads all the way back to the car park.

Overall, the walk involves a fairly modest 215 metres of accumulated elevation gain. Most of the elevation gain occurs after departing Bracklinn Falls when you’re walking through the dense forest towards Scouts Pool.

Bracklinn Falls Circuit Walk Description

Below, we’ll briefly describe the Bracklinn Falls Circuit Walk. Here, our intention isn’t to thoroughly explain the walk in a step-by-step fashion. After all, it’s a fairly self-explanatory walk. Rather, our aim is to provide a snappy overview and show you some photos to motivate you to visit!

Where to Start: Bracklinn Falls Car Park

At the Bracklinn Falls Car Park, near Callander, you’ll quickly spot a metal sign directing you towards the waterfall. Initially, you’ll follow a dense forest trail. But, soon, it will open to your right, revealing lovely views out to Stirling. Before you know it, you’ll arrive at the brilliant waterfall.

The Replacement Bracklin Falls Bridge

Upon reaching the falls, you’ll arrive at the well-known Bracklinn Falls Bridge. Recently, the old wooden and copper bridge, built in 2010, was closed due to damage. Thankfully, this bridge was replaced by a new bridge made of steel. It’s hoped that this new bridge will last around 120 years!

The Waterfall

From the bridge, you’ll enjoy superb views of Bracklinn Falls. The main set of falls is seen gushing over a flat rock platform. Although, in reality, Bracklinn Falls is an accumulation of several falls, cascading in this part of the Keltie Water. In particular, there is a prominent waterfall further upstream that you’ll catch a small glimpse of, from the bridge.

To get a better look at these falls further upstream, we recommend crossing the bridge and continuing the circular walk. After a short distance, views of this larger waterfall will reveal itself. Take care as you approach the river’s edge to enjoy the falls.

After scoping out Bracklinn Falls, you’ll start to follow steeper forest trails. The dense forest, full of tall pines, is simply breathtaking. Eventually, you’ll emerge from the forest, joining a wide and open trail.

Scouts Pool

The wide and open trail soon descends and veers left, steering you to another bridge over Keltie Water. This is the location of Scouts Pool (AKA Scout Pool and Coire Eas na Caillich). From the bridge, you’ll enjoy several quaint cascades. But in reality, you won’t be able to see Scouts Pool from the bridge.

Although people generally refer to this area as Scouts Pool, the actual pool is located further downstream. As you can see from our aerial photography, Scouts Pool is a gorgeous natural pool, downstream from the bridge. To reach Scouts Pool, it’s possible to follow an unofficial forest trail. Please take care if you choose to explore and swim in Scouts Pool via this less-explored trail.

Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you’ll soon join a minor road. Admittedly, this road walking isn’t the funnest part of the walk. But, it’s necessary to take in order to get back to the car park to complete the walk.

How to Get to Bracklinn Falls

The quickest and easiest way to get to Bracklinn Falls is to drive there yourself. If you don’t have your own set of wheels, then we recommend hiring a car.

You can park for free at the Bracklinn Falls Car Park.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Public Transport

There is no public transport going to the Bracklinn Falls Car Park. But, it’s possible to reach Callander using public transport. As previously mentioned, you can do the Bracklinn Falls Circular Walk from Callander.

Accommodation​​

If you want to stay near Bracklinn Falls, then we recommend staying in the nearby town of Callander. There are plenty of fantastic accommodation options in Callander. Below, we’ll look at the best budget, mid-range and luxurious accommodation options.

• Budget: you’ll be hard-pressed to find budget accommodation in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. But, Callander has some very reasonable options. With this in mind, we recommend the highly-rated Dreadnought Hotel. A solid backup option would be the Dalgair House Hotel.
• Mid-range: there are plenty of awesome mid-range accommodation options in Callander. We recommend either The Waverley Hotel or The Crown Hotel.
• Luxury: if you’re looking for somewhere really special to stay, in Callander, there are some excellent guest houses. For a luxurious stay, consider the popular Roman Camp Country House Hotel or the Lubnaig Guest House.

Best Time to Visit Bracklinn Falls

Usually, the best weather in Scotland is in May and June. Most visitors head to Scotland in the middle of the year (April to October) to take advantage of the warmer and dryer weather. So, visiting around this time should mean more pleasant weather whilst you’re chasing waterfalls.

Although, the falls are much more powerful and voluminous in winter. Additionally, there are fewer visitors in the wetter months. So, perhaps, the best time to visit the falls is during winter! Of course, at the end of the day, it comes down to your personal preference.

What to Do Nearby in the Trossachs

There are plenty of nice things to do in Callander itself. The town is one of the biggest in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. There are many lovely cafes, bars and restaurants to visit in Callander. On top of that, there are other attractions to visit just outside of Callander. Other than then Callander Crags, you’ve got the Little Leny Meadow, Bochastle Fort, Dunmore Fort and Samson’s Stone.

Feel free to visit the Callander Visitor Information Centre for more details about the area.

Otherwise, further afield in the wider area of the Trossachs, there is plenty of natural beauty to discover. The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park encompasses a large area of the Trossachs. Please read our Queen Elizabeth Forest Park guide to learn about all of the best lochs to see and walks to do in the Trossachs.

Read more: Loch Lomond Walks – The 26 Best Walks in Loch Lomond

Other Loch Lomond Waterfalls

There are actually other great waterfalls near Callander. The Falls of Leny is another charming cascade northwest of Callander, near the village of Kilmahog. Otherwise, near Aberfoyle, you’ve got the underrated Little Fawn Waterfall. This spectacular waterfall can be seen during a short walk from the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre.

If you love chasing waterfalls, you’ll also have to visit the sensational Falls of Falloch, which is the most famous waterfall in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Whilst, just outside of the national park, you’ll find breathtaking cascades at Devil’s Pulpit (Finnich Glen).

FAQs

Below, you’ll find the most frequently asked questions about Bracklinn Falls.

How Long Is the Walk at Bracklinn Falls?

This depends on which walking route you choose to do. Please read Bracklinn Falls Walks: The Options for more information.

How Far Is Bracklinn Falls From the Car Park?

From the car park, the falls are about 1km away.

What Happened to the Bracklinn Falls Bridge?

An old bridge, built in 2010, was replaced by a steel bridge in 2023, as the old bridge was damaged.

Is the Bracklinn Falls Bridge Open?

Yes, it’s hoped that the new steel bridge, which opened in 2023, should be much more weather-resistant than the old wooden bridge. So, hopefully, the new bridge won’t need to close at any time in the near future and should remain open.

Can You Swim at Bracklinn Falls?

Yes, Bracklinn Falls swimming is possible. But, swimming at the falls can be dangerous, especially after heavy rainfall when the river is in spate.

What to Wear and Take

Below, you’ll find some of our gear essentials for this walk.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

Bonus Tips

• Visit early in summer: to avoid the crowds, arrive early!
• Coffee in Callander: need a pick-me-up? We recommend heading to either Ancaster Coffee or Atrium Cafe Restaurant.
• Other waterfalls in Scotland: there are many beautiful waterfalls in Scotland. We recommend visiting Rogie Falls, Wailing Widow Falls, Falls of Kirkaig, Steall Falls, Falls of Glomach and the Falls of Dochart.

Please leave us a comment below.