Falls of Shin
Falls of Shin
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Falls of Shin are famous for being one of the best places in Scotland to view salmon in their natural habitat. The former Falls of Shin centre, nicknamed “Harrods of the North” was destroyed by fire in May 2013. This left a huge hole in the local economy and as a leading employer a vast number of jobs were lost overnight. Following this, local charity - Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, raised project funding to rebuild the popular attraction. The Trust worked with the community, stakeholders, funders and the design team (CH Architecture) to develop the project. Falls of Shin was officially reopened in May 2017 with a day of celebrations for the local community. Since then we have welcomed visitors from around the world and recreated employment opportunities at the visitor centre. The site has a restaurant and gift shop (run by a private operator), playpark, mini golf, forest trails, and a viewing platform where people can watch the salmon leaping.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
602 reviews
Excellent
241
Very good
209
Average
96
Poor
37
Terrible
19
Iain c.
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Couples
Cafe was great, walk was good weather very good, plenty staff to serve and help, plenty things to see and do.
Written December 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DJM1945
Montrose, UK1,908 contributions
Dec 2022
We enjoyed our walk through the woods and we started with the short walk to the falls and followed this with a longer circular walk which started opposite the care park.
Written December 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sarzxxx
Burbage, UK49 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Beautiful place. We spent about an hour here and did the walk through the woods. Shame that the visitor centre was closed for the winter season but it didn't spoil our visit.
Written October 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
franked1
Dallas, TX32 contributions
Sep 2022
It was so exciting to see salmon attempting to ascend the river over the falls. Patience is required, though.
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paul Coops
Leeds, UK76 contributions
Sep 2022
Falls are gorgeous and beautiful surrounding wood long walks but no faciltys here no toilets etc ..there’s a car charger that worked well but don’t call here if you’re gonna be caught short
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
yorkshirefloss
Ripponden, UK39 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Lovely walk to see salmon jumping the falls! Shame the visitors centre was closed.
There are facilities here if camping the night - which is a bonus.
There are facilities here if camping the night - which is a bonus.
Written September 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daisy K
25 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Beautiful place, loved watching the falls amd trying to spot jumping salmon! (We saw 3). Lovely area. Only complaint is that the visitor centre/cafe was closed (when I say closed I mean empty and the windows white washed! So doesn't look like it will be open any time soon) but we had not seen any notice of this closure online when looking into the falls. Doing NC500 so turned up needing the toilet and also wanting food, thankfully we're in a campervan with a portaloo so had to use that. Shame that the mosaic was broken although likely due to the moisture from the falls. Lovely viewing point though! Would recommend. Saw on the maps on site that there were some walks to do but had to leave without doing these as we were rather hungry by this point!
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bibcay
Gateshead, UK4,366 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Well let's start of by saying this is amazing. The leaping salmon was amazing to watch and we even got some photos of it leaping. The car park is huge and there is a play park for kids. There's a forest walk which we didn't do sadly. There was a lack of facilities as there was no visitor centre which means there were no toilets. They could've gotten a portable toilet but we came here for the nature so don't let that stop you from coming because this was a wild and fantastic experience.
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dougiecor
Thurso, UK31 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Falls are brilliant, loads of car parking, nice wee swing park and some nice walks. On the downside the visitors centre is closed as are any toilet facilities. Very poor for any visiting tourists wishing to spend a pound or indeed a penny!!
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Judith H
13 contributions
Jul 2022
We love waterfalls and this was no exception. It was a short walk from a large FREE carpark. (PLEASE NOTE THE VISITORS CENTRE REMAINS CLOSED.The salmon are making their way upstream from July to October and we saw lots making the effort to leap up the raging falls. However on a second visit a few days later we saw none.
There are a couple of waymarked footpaths from the carpark through woodland and near the river.
There are a couple of waymarked footpaths from the carpark through woodland and near the river.
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

1959tapdancer
Norman, OK95 contributions
I have been unsuccessful getting an email to the folks at the Falls of Shin. I understand there is a steep path to see the Falls? Can someone describe for me how far the actual falls and viewing area of the salmon are, with respect to the visitor center? If we’re just coming to the see the falls and the salmon, and not take time for the cafe and the gift shop, is an hour enough time? Your thoughts?
Vic C
Muir of Ord, UK67 contributions
There is not much more I can add that others have already said. I would point out that walking down to the viewing platform is not suitable for disabled people or people with walking difficulties. Also the cafe seems to only serve vegetarian type food.
Markybug73
Perth, UK123 contributions
Are dogs allowed on site ?
Avril Y
67 contributions
Yes, dogs are allowed. My two loved the fab walks in the area.
CAROLE C
CHAPELTOWN, SHEFFIELD24 contributions
Hi, CAROLE. What would you like to know about this attraction?
Is the Falls of Shin Restaurant and Visitor Centre now open again, following its closure at Easter 2018.
hlporter38
Inverness, UK24 contributions
AS far as I know they are open.
Check on their website
McNana8551
Inverness, UK41 contributions
When will the cafe reopen? We are thinking of bringing a bus of approx 30 aged people for a meal and look around the attraction in June. Are you able to handle this number?
Mop55
Scotland,UK36 contributions
I'm just a visitor here and reviewed the Visitor Centre, you would have to contact them directly.
McNana8551
Inverness, UK41 contributions
When will the cafe reopen? We are thinking of bringing a bus of approx 30 aged people for a meal and look around the attraction in June. Are you able to handle this number?
Thank you
Mop55
Scotland,UK36 contributions
You would have to contact the Visitor Centre direct. I was just a tourist who reviewed the Centre.
hedgehog111
north yorkshire11 contributions
Hi when is the best time to see leaping salmon at the falls?
glendruidh
66 contributions
Really throughout late Spring and all of Summer and even early Autumn. There's a viewing platform over the falls and its quite exiting watching them fight to get up the falls and reach the spawning grounds. Great place for a bite to eat and great coffee as well.
STFnyc2013
Brooklyn, NY1 contribution
Hi William - were there any salmon jumping yesterday when you were at Falls of shin? If so, we are hoping to head up there tomorrow!
glendruidh
66 contributions
You have to wait a while then you'll get a few making the run
CAROLE C
CHAPELTOWN, SHEFFIELD24 contributions
Hi - just wondering on what date in 2017 the newly built facility will be open to the public? The newspapers mention 'in the spring', so was just wondering if for instance it would be open for Easter.
Experience_Officer
Bonar Bridge, UK
Hello Carole C, you are correct all PR has noted Spring 2017 to date, we are hoping to announce the opening date by the end of February. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to welcoming you to the revived site.
Mike G
Wardington, UK112 contributions
I promise I'm not taking the "P" :) We went to Lairg soley to visit the falls - we must have blinked and missed it! What's the sat nav / post code reference please? Thank you!
Experience_Officer
Bonar Bridge, UK
Hello Mike G, sorry just picking this up now, did you find Falls of Shin?
Roger thank you for noting the Project name in it's entirety, great to read that people are aware of the Project.
Indeed Angus I have heard this and can you believe I have not yet been, my colleague was at the weekend though and had a lovely day, albeit wet.
Regards, Valerie
Margaret M
Edinburgh, UK74 contributions
Have any toilet facilities been erected at Shin Falls?
Experience_Officer
Bonar Bridge, UK
Hello, as Angus kindly answered there is no toilet facilities at the moment. Local facilities at Lairg and Bonar Bridge are the closest. The next Stage of the Falls of Shin Community Project commenced today so please keep up to date via Facebook and we shall endeavour to update here also.
Kind Regards
Valerie
Falls of Shin (Lairg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Falls of Shin
- Falls of Shin is open:
- Sun - Wed 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thu - Sat 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM
- We recommend booking Falls of Shin tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 15 Falls of Shin tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Falls of Shin:
- Way Up North Invergordon Cruise Ship Shore Excursion (From $688.81)
- GHD Clan Tour to Dunrobin Castle (From $169.38)
- Northern Delights Whisky Tasting Tour, Luxury Private Tour for up to 6 persons (From $626.08)
- Stunning Ross and Sutherland Tour including Castles,Nature,Fantastic Scenery (From $626.08)
- North Highland Tour from Invergordon including Dunrobin Castle and lots more! (From $602.24)
- Hotels near Falls of Shin:
- (6.79 mi) Invercassley Cottage B & B
- (1.19 mi) The Owl House B&B
- (2.51 mi) Invershin Hotel Bunkhouse & Bar
- (1.39 mi) Ceol Mor Highland Lodges
- (9.37 mi) Sleeperzzz
- Restaurants near Falls of Shin:
- (5.28 mi) Crannag Bistro
- (4.66 mi) The Pier
- (6.66 mi) Achness Hotel Restaurant and Bar
- (4.63 mi) Shin Fry Fish and Chip Shop
- (5.35 mi) The Caley Cafe