№ 13Coast · Caithness, Scotland

The Stacks of Duncansby

A mile past the John o' Groats signpost: sea stacks, a slot canyon full of seabirds, and almost nobody.

The twin jagged Stacks of Duncansby rise from the sea beside banded red sandstone cliffs on the Caithness coast. — Pl. IA mile past John o' Groats

The great pyramid stack of Duncansby stands alone in the surf below striped sandstone cliffs. — Pl. IIA pyramid raised by the sea

Low silver light on the sea behind the dark Stacks of Duncansby, the cliffs receding south along the coast. — Pl. IIISilver light, empty coast

Photographs Alex Passmore (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Annie Spratt anniespratt (CC0) · Ian Hawfinch (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Tour parties photograph the John o' Groats signpost and drive away, which suits Duncansby Head fine. A mile east, past the lighthouse, a short turf walk ends at the Stacks of Duncansby — pyramids of Old Red Sandstone standing offshore like a fleet at anchor, taller than the cliffs you view them from.

On the way you pass the Geo of Sclaites, a knife-cut inlet that packs in thousands of guillemots, razorbills and fulmars in early summer, with puffins in the turf above. It is, quietly, one of the best short cliff walks in Britain — the true north-eastern corner of the mainland, minus the gift shop.

Field notes

The knowledge

Getting there: Signed road from John o' Groats to the Duncansby Head lighthouse car park; the stacks are a gentle mile's walk south along the cliff top.
Best time: May to July for the seabird cities; any northerly swell for drama.
Local tip: Bring binoculars for the geo — and hold onto your hat. This corner earns its wind.

Field position58.6280° N · 3.0240° W

Want the next one before everyone else?

One hidden British place in your inbox, most weeks. Free, no spam.