Due to concerns about the micro-plastics in synthetic fibres, swimwear has been strictly prohibited in outdoor swim locations in Scotland since April 1st this year. Skinny dipping only! We Scots are very open minded, just shed your clothes on the riverbank and jump in, nobody will mind. The water might be a tad chilly, or as we say here, glè glè fhuar.

Think the bottom car park will be the best. There is a lovely walk along the river from that car park to the top car park

Definitely. Great, winding walk there, small rocky obstacles en route. When you get there, they can tackle the wire bridge!

There is no cable car, but the way isn’t difficult, it’ s possible for child, not climbing.

Here is what I found out. There is a bus that will go to the lower falls parking lot. from there to the Steall Fall trail head is maybe 3 miles up hill by foot. The best I could tell the bus ran 3 times a day, morning , mid day and later maybe 6pm. I decided to rent a car for 24 hours for 75£. Yes a little pricey, but we arrived to Ft William at 1100 and did the falls that afternoon and next morning drove to gondola and then caught bus to Inverness at 1400. so we were able to meet our goals very easily with car for a 24 hour stay. fyi - the drive from the main road up to the Steall Falls trail head parking lot is stressful due to so many cars coming and going on a narrow twisty one lane road. Many times my wife had to get out and help guide me baking up etc to let oncoming cars pass. Also, you can ride bus out and ask for a ride back. Everyone on holiday and friendly. We had a couple ask us for a ride back to town and we were happy to assist.

You can clamber right up to the falls and climb the rocks there, which is fun. Perhaps you could paddle/dip your toes in? Don't think there's a spot for 'swimming' per se.

The trek should take you 30 minutes at max. The trail is reasonably smooth and easy , there might be one or two bumps, but if you’re wearing the appropriate shoes and are careful it shouldn’t be a hassle I guess. The only hiccup is that to get across to the actual fall sight you have to walk a rope bridge which can be tricky. In case you decide not to go through, you can still witness the fall from across the river.

Aim for Ben Nevis Parking - Belford Rd, Fort William PH33 6SY Get there early in busy season.