Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls: A Short Stop with Wild Views.

What is Kilt Rock?

Kilt Rock is a sea cliff located on the Trotternish Peninsula. It stands approximately 55 metres high. Its name derives from its resemblance to a traditional Scottish kilt. The cliff features vertical basalt columns resembling pleats.

Mealt Falls: The Waterfall at Kilt Rock

Falling over Kilt Rock is Mealt Falls, a waterfall that from the cliff’s edge directly into the sea. The water originates from Loch Mealt, a freshwater loch situated roughly 300 metres inland. The loch itself is a place of historical significance. The rubble remains of Dun Grianan – an iron age broch can still visited today. For thousands of years, people have visited this site. 

The Viewpoint: What You Can See

There’s a viewing platform near the car park where you can see both Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. From here, you’ll get great views of:

1. Kilt Rock itself: Look north along the coast to see the iconic Skye cliff faces. Beyond the cliffs the ocean carries on beyond the horizon all the way towards Greenland. 
2. Mealt Falls: The waterfall is right beisde of the viewing area.
3. The Sound of Raasay: This is the stretch of sea between Skye and Raasay and looking beyond to mainland Scotland.
4. Coastal cliffs: Look south for more amazing cliff views towards Brothers Point, known for its dinosaur footprints imbedded within shoreline. 

Formation of Kilt Rock

Like much of Skye, Kilt Rock owes its formation to ancient lava flows. These lava flows cooled and solidified to create the characteristic columnar jointing, often seen in flood basalt formations. This type of geology is indicative of extensive volcanic activity in the area millions of years ago.

Such geological features help geologists understand how volcanoes shaped Scotland’s landscape millions of years ago.

Jurassic Coastline

The rocks along this coastline provide incredible evidence of the Earth’s conditions during the time of the dinosaurs.  For more more detailed insights into Skye’s Jurassic heritage you can read more about dinosaurs on Skye here. 

Best Times to Visit

Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls are beautiful all year round, but here are some things to keep in mind:

• Summer (June to August): This is the busiest time. The weather is usually best, but the small car park can get very full.
• Spring and Autumn: These can be good times to visit. There are fewer people, and you might see the waterfall at its strongest after rain.
• Winter: It may be very cold and windy, but the views can be at their most dramatic. 

The waterfall looks best after rain when there’s lots of water. 

How to Get There

Kilt Rock is on the A855 road, about 15 miles north of Portree (the main town on Skye). Use postcode IV51 9JE. 

If you don’t have a car, you can take the 57 Stagecoach bus from Portree, however – bus timetables make stopping here challenging as the next bus is hours away. The bus stops on the main road near the Staffin Dinosaur Museum, about a 5-minute walk from Kilt Rock.

Parking at Kilt Rock

The car park at Kilt Rock is large, but it can get busy during peak tourist season. You can pay with coins or a card at the machines in the car park. The car park can hold about 20-30 cars. There are designated spaces for disabled visitors. The car park surface can be uneven in places, with some potholes. Not ideal for your Porsche. 

Facilities at Kilt Rock

• There are no public toilets at Kilt Rock. The nearest ones are in Staffin, about 2 miles away.
• Food and drink: There’s sometimes a food truck in the car park selling snacks and hot drinks, but this isn’t guaranteed.
• Picnic areas: There are no designated picnic areas, but you can enjoy the views from your car if the weather is bad.
• Shelter: There’s no indoor shelter at the site. The viewpoint is open to the elements.

Accessibility Information

Kilt Rock viewpoint is partially accessible for people with mobility issues:

• The car park and viewpoint are mostly gravel that may make pushing a wheelchair more challenging.
• The path from the car park to the cliff is short.
• The viewing platform has a fence that allows wheelchair users to see the view.

Is Kilt Rock Suitable for Children?

Kilt Rock can be an exciting place for children to visit:

• The viewing area is fenced for safety.
• There are no specific facilities for children, like play areas.
• The walk from the car park to the viewpoint area is only a few metres
• It’s a good opportunity for children to learn about geology and nature.
• The visit is usually quite short.

Can I Bring My Dog to Kilt Rock?

Dogs are welcome at Kilt Rock, the movement of traffic and nearby sheep may complicate things for excited pups. 

Wildlife at Kilt Rock

• Seabirds: You might see gannets, fulmars, and kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs.
• Sea life: Dolphin and basking sharks are often sometimes seen from the viewpoint. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Other Things to See Nearby

Kilt Rock is in a part of Skye with lots of other interesting places to visit. Here are some spots you might want to check out when visiting:

1. Old Man of Storr: A famous rocky hill about 10 miles south of Kilt Rock.
2. Lealt Falls: Another waterfall, about 3 miles south.
3. Quiraing: A beautiful area of hills and cliffs, about 5 miles north.
4. Staffin Dinosaur Museum: Learn about dinosaur fossils found on Skye, just north of the Kilt Rock car park.
5. Duntulm Castle ruins: The old MacDonald stronghold with great views – especially at sunset sits about 9 miles north.