Did you know
The real corner.
Duncansby Head, not John o' Groats, is the north-eastern tip of mainland Scotland.
Caithness
Duncansby Head
The true north-east corner of mainland Scotland, beyond John o' Groats, with a lighthouse, a great cleft full of seabirds and the Stacks of Duncansby to the south.
Welcome
John o' Groats gets the signposts, but the true north-eastern corner of mainland Scotland is a couple of miles further on, at Duncansby Head.
A single-track road ends at a white lighthouse on the clifftop, with Orkney spread across the Pentland Firth to the north.
Most people stop to take in that view and turn back, but the best of Duncansby lies the other way. Walk south over the rise behind the lighthouse and the ground opens at the Geo of Sclaites, a great cleft bitten deep into the cliffs, loud with seabirds. A little further across the clifftop fields comes one of the finest views in the north: Thirle Door, a rock arch, and beyond it the Stacks of Duncansby, tall jagged pinnacles rising from the sea beside the layered cliffs.
The view changes with every step along the path, so keep walking. The cliffs are unfenced; keep children close and stay back from the edge.
Before you go
Open headland, there at any time.
Park at the lighthouse; the stacks are a short walk south over the clifftop fields.
- Where
- Two miles east of John o' Groats.
- Lighthouse
- Built 1924.
- Walk
- South to the stacks.
Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.
Add your reviewDid you know
Did you know
A lighthouse of 1924.
The lighthouse on the headland was built in 1924 and automated in 1997.
Ben Lerwill
From our guide to Caithness
Despite many assuming that John O’Groats takes the title of being the most northeasterly tip of the British mainland, that honour goes in fact to the more feral (and far less commercial) Duncansby Head, where the cliffs of the headland plunge into the waves and angular sea stacks rise offshore.
Read moreGraeme Johncock
Why The Sea Is Salty
A Norse legend of greed, rebellion, and a magical mill that never stops grinding. Learn how Frodi’s false peace ended at sea—and why the salt still pours.
Read the storyGraeme Johncock
The iconic Duncansby Stacks were almost destroyed as part of an Atomic Bomb experiment in 1953 but fortunately the weather was too wet for the electronics.
Read moreWhat is on
What is new across Caithness, day by day.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on in CaithnessWhere it is
At the end of the single-track road east from John o' Groats, at the lighthouse.
Close byJohn o' Groats.
Bay of SannickA sandy bay on the way out.1 mile 5 min by road
John o' Groats2 miles 7 min by road
The StorehouseA café, bar and local produce shop by the harbour at John o' Groats, with sea views to Orkney, open all year.3 miles 8 min by road
Castle & Gardens of MeyThe Queen Mother's castle along the coast.10 miles 21 min by road
Keiss Castle10 miles 19 min by road
Dunnet HeadThe most northerly point, to the west.17 miles 27 min by road
The Daily
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the headland, and when each is next free.
Hidden Scotland, the magazine
Scotland, in print.
We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.
Read on
What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more in Caithness.
Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
- Duncansby HeadThe lighthouse, the geo and the stacks.undiscoveredscotland.co.ukUndiscovered Scotland↗
- Caithness and SutherlandThe north-east corner.caithnessandsutherland.comCaithness and Sutherland↗
- Sannick beachThe bay on the way.caithnessandsutherland.comCaithness and Sutherland↗
- Dunnet HeadThe most northerly point.rspb.org.ukRSPB↗