View of Duncansby Stacks

Good hiking trail with views.

Duncansby Head is the most northeasterly part of both the Scottish and British mainlands, slightly northeast of John o’ Groats1. It is marked by a lighthouse built in 1924 and a site of special scientific interest for its wildlife and sea stacks. You can visit it by walking along the coast from John o’ Groats and enjoy the stunning views of the North Sea and the Orkney Islands.

Duncansby Head is the most northeasterly point of the Scottish and British mainlands. It is a 64 m (210 ft) high headland that protrudes into the North Sea with the Pentland Firth to its north and west and the Moray Firth to its south. Duncansby Head is a ‘must-see’ for hikers who enjoy dramatic natural scenery.

One of the best places to view Duncansby Head is from the south atop the grassy sandstone cliffs near to the Duncansby Stacks. From here on a clear day you will see the whole headland including its lighthouse, the gully called the Geo of Sclaites, and the offshore sea stack called The Knee. The stunning view may also be enhanced by sights of the island called Muckle Skerry (8 km distant) and its Pentland Skerries Lighthouse, and by distant views of the Orkney Islands.

An additional highlight of viewing Duncansby Head from this location is that it offers - by looking east and south - fine close-up views of the Duncansby Stacks and their large seabird colonies.