Surprise! We Found Campsie Glen Waterfall Instead of The Loup of Fintry

So, the last 2 Sundays, my partner and I headed out with a single goal: The Loup of Fintry Waterfall. We’d literally just searched for those “wow, look at the fall colors” kind of beautiful spots, and Fintry popped right up.

We started our drive, and you know how it is in Scotland—the journey is often the destination. We were cruising along, and the mountain views were just everywhere. Left, right, center—each turn was a postcard-perfect moment. I kept thinking, “Wow,” and told my partner, “If you see another amazing view, let's just pull over for a sec.”

A few minutes later, BAM. We saw a lay-by packed with cars. Clearly, this was a spot, so we decided to stop and check it out. I mean, it looked like a total tourist magnet.

The moment I stepped out, I heard it: the unmistakable rush of a waterfall! My partner didn't catch it right away (go figure!), but I was already saying, “There’s a waterfall here; I can hear it!” And honestly, it was so loud, I couldn't believe he missed it at first!

Then we met this lovely man, a Ukrainian tourist, who was also wandering around looking for the source. “See? I told you! ” I exclaimed. Just as he headed off, a family passed by, and we quickly asked them if there was a waterfall nearby. They pointed us toward the direction of Campsie Glen—our unexpected destination!

The Campsie Glen Trek: A Word of Caution!

We decided to go for it. A quick heads-up, though: The path is definitely not for the faint of heart, especially this time of year. That part of Scotland is already brutally cold, and we had frozen patches of ice and crazy amounts of mud underfoot. You have to be extremely careful not to slip!

There are no proper safety rails, just wooden planks and steps, so you really need to mind every step. But as you work your way down, down, down, the roar of the water gets louder and louder until you arrive at the most beautiful view. The waterfall plunges into a really deep pool—definitely not something you want to fall into! It’s surrounded by huge, beautiful stones and rocks.

Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't the most beautiful waterfall I've seen in Scotland. I mean, who could compare to the Falls of Clyde? I recently visited there, and the photos I took—everyone on Instagram was wowed! It's stunning. I also love the Waterfall and rock pool at Kelburn Castle and Estate down in Ayrshire, 250 yards from the brightly painted castle—so beautiful (remember my ultimate visitor's guide to the area?). I highlighted it there.

But while Falls of Clyde is excellent, you can't get into it (it's used to generate electricity, after all!). Campsie Glen was a beautiful, surprising, and totally enjoyable spot. I wish we had visited this place in summer. We took so many pictures and videos, just soaking it all in. I always try to take a moment to sit down and just let the mind absorb the view. I truly believe our minds heal when surrounded by nature. It was such a lovely time.

Once we’d had our fill, we hopped back in the car to continue our original journey toward the Loup of Fintry. That's when we realized our mission was a bust. We hit a road sign that clearly said "Road Closed - Private Road," and there was simply no other clear path to the falls.

So, we decided to call it a day. I know, I know—we drove all that way for Fintry and didn’t see it! But I’d say God blessed us with an even better, more spontaneous alternative. Scotland is ridiculously blessed with water bodies, from lochs to these incredible falls, and honestly, that's why water costs almost nothing—and is often free!—here! It's a gorgeous country.

Since Fintry didn’t work out, let's talk about our happy accident: Campsie Glen.

P.S. We definitely ate our weight in snacks during that drive. Woo! A whole lot of driving and a whole lot of crunching last weekend!

So, what exactly is the deal with this unexpected place, Campsie Glen? Turns out, our happy accident has a seriously cool, long history—it’s not just some random spot that got popular last year.

• An Oldie But a Goodie: This glen has been a popular tourist spot since way back in the 18th and 19th centuries. The local landowner, John MacFarlan of Ballencleroch, decided to open up the glen to the public in 1785, which I think is amazing. We're literally walking the same paths people have been enjoying for over 200 years.

• The Glacial Connection: The sheer, rocky sides of the glen were actually carved out by glacial meltwater after the last Ice Age. That's why the gorge is so dramatic—it was created by massive amounts of rushing water, which explains why our little waterfall feels so powerful even now.

• A Village of Industry: Right at the foot of the glen is a small settlement called the Clachan of Campsie. For centuries, it was an ecclesiastical center (meaning it had a church—the ruins of the 12th-century St. Machan’s Church are still there!), but in the 19th century, it was a hub for industry. People used the Glazert Burn (the stream that feeds the glen) for everything from mills to textile printing. The whole area was buzzing.

• The Name: The wider area is known as the Campsie Fells, which comes from the Scottish Gaelic "cam" (crooked) and "sìth" (fairy). So, we were chilling by the Crooked Fairy Hills! How perfectly Scottish is that?

It’s crazy to think that what looks like a remote natural spot was once a huge industrial center. That’s Scotland for you—full of rugged nature and hidden history all wrapped up in one gorgeous package.

Happy new month. Welcome to December 2025.