Big Burn Gorge and Waterfall, Golspie
Highlands
The Big Burn walk climbs a narrow wooded gorge on the eastern edge of Golspie, on the Sutherland coast. There is no livestock anywhere on the route, so a dog can be off the lead through the shaded woodland. From the signed car park beside the A9 the path heads upstream past Golspie Mill, crosses the burn on Colin's Bridge and passes beneath a tall railway arch. The glen then closes in between rock walls, and the path runs just above the water, crossing the burn five times on footbridges beneath cascading side streams. Steps lead up to a bridge high over the waterfalls, and the circuit continues through woodland past the Backies car park to a lochan once used for skating, before dropping back to the gorge path and the start. It is 3km with 84 metres of climbing, on clear woodland paths with steps and steep slopes in places. The viewing platform at the head of the gorge is currently closed.
This dog friendly walk packs a lot into an hour, with the burn close by for most of the way, deep shade under the trees and no sheep or cattle anywhere on the route. A calm dog can be off lead on the woodland sections, but the gorge path is narrow and unfenced above the water, so keep your dog close there and on the bridges. The skating pond makes a good stop for a drink. The village has shops and places to eat.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.0 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Walk Type
- Waterfall, Woodland, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- No facilities at the car park; shops, cafes and pubs in Golspie village.
- Parking
- Big Burn car park at the eastern end of Golspie, just west of the A9 bridge over the burn; alternative start at the Backies car park.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Big Burn Gorge and Waterfall, Golspie, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in HighlandsFrequently Asked Questions
Is Big Burn Gorge and Waterfall, Golspie dog friendly?
Big Burn Gorge scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why — there's no livestock anywhere on the route, a burn running alongside the path for much of the way, and five footbridge crossings to keep things interesting. The skating pond near the top makes a handy stop for a drink, and the village of Golspie has shops, cafes and pubs if you fancy a bite afterwards.
Can dogs be off lead at Big Burn Gorge and Waterfall, Golspie?
Because there are no sheep or cattle on the route, calm dogs can enjoy off-lead time through the woodland sections. That said, the gorge path is narrow and unfenced above the water, so you'll want to keep your dog close there and on the footbridges — five of them in total — where the drops can be significant.
What should I know before visiting Big Burn Gorge and Waterfall, Golspie with my dog?
The walk is 3km with 84 metres of climbing, so it's a decent outing with some steps and steep slopes along the way — worth knowing if your dog is older or less sure-footed. The viewing platform at the head of the gorge is currently closed, and there are no facilities at the car park itself, so bring water for your dog; there's plenty in the burn, and the skating pond is a good spot to let them drink.
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