At the northeastern tip, Britain bids farewell with a uniquely beautiful rocky landscape. A walk at Duncansby Head reveals just how beautiful.
Most visitors head straight for the impressive Duncansby Stacks. These two sea stacks rise in front of steep cliffs, where countless seabirds nest along the ledges and rock faces. The sea roars below, and a green landscape stretches out above. What a landscape it is.
Duncansby Head is the headland that juts out into the Pentland Firth in the northeast of Scotland – not far from the famous John o’ Groats. Naturally, there’s a lighthouse here too, warning ships away from the dangerous rocks.
For walkers, the cliffs here are much less dangerous. The path across Duncansby Head is clearly marked and, for most of the way, protected by a fence. Besides the stacks, there are plenty of other fascinating rock formations to see.
Taking this short walk is absolutely worth it – not only for the stunning scenery, but also for the chance to see puffins and other seabirds up close in summer.
Map and route: walking to the Duncansby Sea Stacks
Depending on how far you want to walk and how long you want to linger over the views, the walk takes between one and two hours. The roughly 3.5 kilometres are best tackled in good shoes. The path itself is safe and easy, but can get muddy, especially in wet weather.
The walk starts at the car park in front of the lighthouse. Right by the car park, a signpost points the way.
Staying a little closer to the coast, you first reach a deep gash cut into the land, known as the Geo of Sclaites.
From here, the path continues along the coast, and soon you’ll spot the Duncansby Stacks in the distance, with the Thirle Door sea arch in front of them.
Some might consider that view enough, but it’s worth continuing along the coast and keeping an eye out for the many birds here too.
When to turn back is entirely up to you. On the way back, walkers pass more beautiful cliff scenery – including a rock tower standing in front of the cliffs.
After that, it’s back to the car park.
Getting there
With a sat nav: “KW1 4YS” will bring you very close.
Without a sat nav: coming from Inverness, follow the A99 until just before John o’ Groats. At a petrol station with a shop and café, a road turns off to the right. At first it stays fairly wide and runs between houses. Later it opens onto open land and becomes a proper single track road. At the end, the lighthouse appears, with the car parks in front of it.
Coming from Thurso, the road reaches the A99 at John o’ Groats. Turn right at the T-junction, then take the next left almost immediately. From there, follow the directions in the paragraph above.