Falls of Falloch

In May 2025, the Falls of Falloch showed me first-hand what a prolonged dry spell can do to Scotland. Considerably less water than usual was cascading over the rocky edge into the dark basin below. On this warm day, the basin was serving as a natural pool for a group of fearless young lads. Just as it once did for the legendary outlaw Rob Roy. Until the scene calmed down, I had plenty of time to study the surroundings and look for interesting angles.

As long as a waterfall doesn’t dwindle to a mere trickle, low water can actually have its advantages. During my visit, for instance, there was no spray swirling through the air, which meant the shots came out clear and free of unwanted reflections. The immediate surroundings of a thundering waterfall can sometimes look slightly hazy, caused by the countless water droplets in the air that unfortunately don’t spare filters or camera lenses either. Fortunately, this wasn’t a problem at the Falls of Falloch.

When composing my shots, I incorporated a lot of the surroundings of the waterfall. What fascinated me were the clearly defined layers: the dark basin, the rugged rock face, and the partly sun-dappled woodland. I placed the waterfall in the center of the frame as a unifying element. Although it is constantly in motion, it acts as a haven of calm amidst this multi-layered landscape.