Kilt Rock and Mealt Waterfall is located on the A855 at Ellishadder, 15 miles north of Portree and 2 miles south of Staffin. There is a narrow access road to a car park where you need to park considerately. The car park is not marked out and gets very busy in summer so a bit of care is needed. There is no rush, the cliffs and waterfalls have been there for millennia and aren’t leaving in a hurry!
Kilt Rock
There is a small gate leading to a viewing area on the cliff top. Here you also find some information boards about the dinosaurs that roamed this area. You can go and hunt out the footprints later! The 90 metre high cliffs here are made up of basalt columns and dolerite shelves. This pattern lent itself to the name Kilt Rock as the look like the pleats in a kilt. When you are stood at the railings look north along the cliff tops and you will see rounded face of Kilt Rock in the distance.
Mealt Falls
The 90 metre waterfall right in front of you at the railings is Mealt Falls. Fed by Loch Mealt which is opposite the car park turning on the A855. The waterfall free falls 60 metres from the cliff top down onto the shore below. The sea below can appear turquoise in sunny conditions or steely grey in cloudy weather. Take care and stay behind the railings and fences, they were put there for your safety.
Sea birds nest along these cliffs so the local community have introduced a no-drone zone during this period. Please respect this zone as we need to protect our natural sea life for generations to come. Just because we have access to the technology does not mean we should use it without thought for it’s impact.
The view across the water is to the island of Rona at the tip of Rasaay and further across to the Scottish Mainland. North looks out to the Minch and the Western Isles. In Summer you may see dolphins and other marine mammals in this area. So take your time, don’t rush your visit and maybe have a pair of binoculars in your pockets.
Accessibility at Kilt Rock and Mealt Waterfall
The car park at Kilt Rock and Mealt Waterfall is level and access to the viewing area is also level. There is no designated disabled parking within the car park. Once on the cliff top there is a small circular gravel path with further viewing areas. This is well compacted and very accessible for walkers and wheelchair users alike. The nearest toilets are at Staffin Community Hall or Columba 1400, both 2 miles away in Staffin. In the summer months there is a snack bar in the car park, otherwise you can get food in Portree or Staffin, or maybe take a picnic.
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Beautiful waterfall