Freswick to Dunscansby Head

Summary

A wild section of coastline with dramatic geos and cliffs, finishing at the amazing stacks and lighthouse of Dunscansby Head. This is a linear route described as a one-way walk; there is no parking at the start, but if you are not being dropped off then there is a regular bus from John o'Groats taking 10 minutes to reach the Skirza road end at Freswick; you can then return to John o'Groats by following the coast from Dunscansby Head, adding an extra 3km.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Minor road, rough moorland path on coast with some pathless sections and some very boggy areas.

Public Transport

Bus (77) to start from John o'Groats - alight Skirza Road end, Freswick.

Start

Freswick. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.25km / 5.25 miles
Time: 2.5 hours
Ascent: 120m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: ND369678

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Walk Description

User reports (0)

Stage 1

From the Skirza road end at Freswick on the A99 just south of John o'Groats, follow the straight minor road towards the coast. Keep on this road, ignoring any roads and tracks off to the right and left. After 2.5km the road turns left at a right angle bend. Follow this up to the farm and turn right immediately after the barn on the right to follow a track. This soon reaches an old Caithness stone quarry near the coast. At the bottom of the slope cross the flat area head slightly diagonally left towards the coast and then head left to follow the coastline. For the first section the ground is very uneven and boggy, it does improve after passing Skippie Geo.

Stage 2

A faint path can soon be picked up running along the cliff edge. There are a number of streams running down to the cliff edge and these can be very boggy to cross - do so safely back from the coastal cliffs.

Stage 3

The major first cliff feature to be reached is Wife Geo where a large stack has been left standing in an inlet where water rushes through two long natural arches. Fairly soon afterwards the remains of a building are reached and a detour inland is necessary to cross a boggy area just beyond. After this go through a gap in some fence posts and keep following the faint path as you head north.

Stage 4

Pass through two more gaps in the fence as the path improves and soon the first sight of Duncansby Stacks come into view. At times there is a fence on the cliff side. The lighthouse at Duncansby Head can also be seen by now.

Stage 5

The path becomes clearer and there are impressive views of the two large stacks and natural arch beyond. The stacks, and the more sheltered sections of cliff, are alive with seabirds during the nesting season. Follow the fence to a kissing gate and go through it and continue along the path next to the fence.

Stage 6

Head downhill to cross a plank bridge and keep following the wide path. A short cut path heads across to the left, or you can continue along the cliff top to view the stacks and the Geo of Sclaites before following the path to the car park at Duncansby Head. If you haven't arranged a pick-up here and are wanting to continue to finish the walk at John o'Groats, follow the coast east from the car park, passing the deep geo known as the Glupe and then heading down to a stile and onto the sand at Sannick Bay to cross the burn at the bottom. From the far end of the bay a path on springy turf leads along the coast to the harbour at John o'Groats.

Route Profile

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