Angus

Arbroath Cliffs

Red sandstone cliffs north of Arbroath, carved by the sea into arches, caves and stacks, with a clifftop path to Auchmithie.

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Welcome

North of Arbroath, the land ends in cliffs of deep red sandstone, laid down some four hundred million years ago and carved by the sea into arches, caves and stacks.

A path runs along the top from Victoria Park, and every few hundred yards the rock does something new.

The Needle E'e is an arch high above the tide, left from a sea cave that fell in; below it, a cave called the Mermaid's Kirk leads to a hidden beach. There are gullies and blowholes, the Deil's Heid stack standing off the point, and bays where the waves break white on red shingle. In summer the ledges fill with seabirds, the grass with wild flowers and butterflies, and dolphins are often seen offshore, in any month.

The path runs on for about three miles to Auchmithie. The edges are sheer and unfenced, so keep children and dogs close.

Before you go

Free, at any time.

The path starts at the east end of Victoria Park in Arbroath and runs north along the clifftops; the edges are sheer and unfenced.

Where: From Victoria Park, Arbroath, north to Carlingheugh Bay and Auchmithie.
The walk: About three miles to Auchmithie.

Did you know

A red sandstone sea arch frames a view of open sea, layered rock and lichen covering the stone around it.

Did you know

Four hundred million years.

The red sandstone of the cliffs was laid down roughly 410 to 370 million years ago.

A dark rock opening frames a view of open sea, layered sandstone walls closing in on either side.

Did you know

An arch above the tide.

The Needle E'e is part of an old sea cave, standing on a raised beach well above the present shore.

Red sandstone cliffs enclose a narrow sea inlet, calm water reaching between grassy headlands under a partly clouded sky.

Did you know

Dolphins.

Dolphins are often seen off the cliffs, in any month of the year.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Angus

Just north of Arbroath the land ends in cliffs of deep red sandstone, and the sea has carved them into arches, caves and stacks. A path runs along the top from Victoria Park, and round every corner the rock does something new. Look for the Needle E'e, an arch high above the water, the Mermaid's Kirk cave and the Deil's Heid stack standing off the point. In summer the ledges fill with seabirds and the grass with wild flowers, and dolphins are often seen offshore. The path runs on for about three miles to Auchmithie. The edges are unfenced, so keep children and dogs close.

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