Falls of Falloch

In May of 2025, while visiting the Falls of Falloch, I witnessed the effects of an extended dry spell in Scotland. Far less water than usual was cascading over the rocky edge into the dark basin below. On this warm day, the basin served as a natural pool for a few fearless young lads – just as it once did for the legendary outlaw Rob Roy. By the time the scene had quietened down, I had plenty of time to explore the surroundings and scout for interesting angles.

As long as a waterfall doesn’t dry up into a trickle, even low water levels can have their advantages. During my visit, for instance, there was no spray swirling through the air. As a result, the photographs appear very clear and free of distracting reflections. With wildly roaring waterfalls, the immediate surroundings can sometimes appear slightly blurred. This is caused by the large number of water droplets in the air, which also do not spare filters or the camera. Fortunately, this problem did not exist at the Falls of Falloch.

When composing the photograph, I incorporated much of the waterfall’s surroundings. I was fascinated by the clearly defined layers of the dark pool, the craggy rock face and the partly sunlit forest. I placed the waterfall centrally in the frame as a unifying element. Although it is constantly in motion, it acts as a haven of calm amidst this multi-layered landscape.