If you’re driving the North Coast 500 in Scotland, there is a hidden gem that you might easily drive right past. Technically, this gorgeous waterfall isn’t actually on the NC500 – but it is worth the detour. Loch na Gainmhich and Wailing Widow Falls is the most beautiful loch and waterfall I have ever seen, and definitely one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Scotland.
What does Loch na Gainmhich Mean?
Gainmhich is a Gaelic word which means sandy, gravel or seashore according to this guide to Gaelic names in Britain by the Ordnance Survey. So Loch na Gainmhich could be translated as Sandy Loch – sandy lake in the simplest terms.
However, the waterfall that tumbles from Loch na Gainmhich has several names – most of which relate to horrible stories and legends from the area. The most common name I keep coming across is “The Wailing Widow Falls” or “Hanged Man’s Falls”.
The name Wailing Widow Waterfall comes from the local legend that a young man was hunting deer in the fog, and sadly didn’t see the gorge of the waterfalls and fell to his death at the top of the falls. Distraught, his mother (a widow) came to see where he had died and, consumed by grief, threw herself off the top of the waterfall.
The other gruesome story was about a cattle rustler from the Isle of Lewis who came to Assynt and was granted sanctuary from his crimes as long as he was well-behaved. He broke his promise and killed someone, so was hunted down and caught. As punishment, he was forced to dig his own grave and was hanged in the glen leading to the falls.

How to Get to Loch na Gainmhich & Wailing Widow Falls
This incredible loch and waterfall are in Assynt, in northwest Scotland. They are just off the A894, roughly in between the Kylesku Bridge and Loch Assynt. It is marked on Google Maps (see the map of Wailing Widow Falls below), but there are no signs on the road to indicate that this beautiful place is a short walk away from the road.
As I said, it isn’t strictly speaking on the NC500 route, as cars and bikes are sent down the B869 Drumbeg road following the coast. However, that route isn’t recommended for caravans or motorhomes, so if you’re in a motorhome you will definitely drive past and pull in to make the stop.
Even if you wouldn’t drive past the falls on the NC500, it is well worth the short detour, it’s only about a 4-minute drive past the turnoff for the B869 Drumbeg road (if you’re coming from the North), or around 6 minutes drive past Loch Assynt if you’re coming from the south.
Wailing Widow Falls Map
Good old Google Maps is the easiest way to see the exact location of Wailing Widow Falls, with the parking places also marked on. Click on the map below to open up an interactive version.

How to See Wailing Widow Falls
There are actually three different viewpoints of the waterfall; one from the bottom, and two from the top. My favourite view is from the top because from a certain viewpoint you can see both the waterfall and the loch, with a gorgeous mountain in the background. That is a lot of stunning scenery crammed into one view! However, let me share all the options to see Wailing Widow Falls:

Wailing Widow Falls from Below
To see the waterfall from the bottom, it is best to park in the small layby marked on Google Maps above as “Loch na Gainmhich Waterfall Car Park“. It is really just a rough layby with space for maybe 5 vehicles.
From here you can see the gorge and river that the waterfall pours into, and you follow that straight from the car park towards the waterfall.
The path is very rough and involves some scrambling over rocks and good balance to not slip on the rough and muddy surface. When I visited it hadn’t rained for a few days so it was relatively dry, but if it is wet then take extra care as it would be easy to slip and fall. I’d recommend wearing hiking boots or shoes with a good grip to help you navigate the way.

Luckily, the walk isn’t a long one – perhaps 10-15 minutes from the car park until you reach the base of the falls. It is a pretty waterfall, but I was there just after lunch on a very sunny day so the sun was high in the sky and right above the falls which made it difficult to see the falls clearly as the sun was right in my eyes.
I’m sure on a cloudy day after some rain the waterfalls would be easier to see, and with much more water flowing!
For me, the view from the top of the waterfall is more impressive, and a safer walk – although not without complications. However, it is still a lovely place to visit.

Loch na Gainmhich & Wailing Widow Waterfall Above
For the best views of Loch na Gainmhich and Wailing Widow Falls, if you are coming from the North, continue past the layby for the waterfall, up the hill and around the tight bend to reach a small car park on the left, marked on Google Maps as “Quinag Car Park Viewpoint“. It isn’t signed but there are spaces for perhaps up to 8 vehicles to park up.
A little further along there is another rough layby with more space if you need it. If you’re coming from the south, keep an eye open for the car park on your right-hand side as you come around a fairly tight left-hand bend.
Once you’re parked up, you can see a pathway on the grass leading away from the car park towards the loch. Follow the unmarked path towards the water. If you stay towards the left side of the ridge there are great views away to the west, or you can make your way more directly towards the loch.

There aren’t any marked paths here, so try to follow where you can see people have walked before. There are some boggy areas which were wet and muddy even on a dry day, so watch your step and ideally wear sturdy waterproof boots.
When you get close you’ll be able to hear the waterfall, and you can get some nice views of the top of the waterfall from this side of the river, depending on how close you want to get to the edge. Remember here that you are in an isolated spot a long way from any emergency services and hospitals, so be careful!

The Best View of Wailing Widow Falls and Loch na Gainmhich
To get the best view of the waterfall with the loch in the background, you’ll need to cross the river at the edge of the loch. You can follow the river gorge to get to the loch, or if you went straight to the loch just follow the water’s edge to your left until you reach the river.
There are some stepping stones in place that you can use to get across the river, again watch your step! I am not the bravest person when it comes to worrying about accidents, but I managed just fine. As I said, it was a dry day so the stepping stones are likely to be slippy if it is been raining.

Once you’ve crossed the river, again there aren’t any marked paths but you can follow where people have walked before. There is a rough path leading towards the left, following the river gorge. The ground is muddy and boggy in places – even on dry days.

As you continue along this path you can start to see the waterfall with the loch behind, and if you keep going you’ll be able to reach the perfect spot to see the whole of Wailing Widow Falls and Loch na Gainmhich with a mountain in the background.

These photos were taken with my phone, no drone or fancy equipment was required to get this gorgeous view!
If you decide to sit for a while and admire the waterfall, take something waterproof to sit on, otherwise you’ll end up with a wet bum as I did!!
Whenever you’ve had your fill, follow the same route back to the car park.
I hope you enjoyed reading about the gorgeous Loch na Gainmhich waterfall, and that you will make sure you take the time to visit it if you’re driving the NC500 or up in the area! I’ll be writing more about the incredible time I had in Scotland soon, or you can check out some of my previous blog posts here:

Want More Travel Tips for Scotland?
Check out these blog posts about budget travel in Scotland, or click here to read all of my Scotland posts.If you have been to see it, let me know what you thought in the comments below!
Like this post? Pin it to read later:
Thanks for clearing that up Eildh! 🙂
Seriously, if you believe stories of the “The Wailing Widow Falls” or “Hanged Man’s Falls” then you believe in green men from outer space and that Haggis have one leg longer than the other to run round mountains. There’s no record of any deaths or hangings at these falls ever. These are just stories made up by tour guides from the Rabbies tour company. Everybody knows this.