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The narrow red-rock cleft of Hell's Lum, a slit of sea light at its foot.
Aberdeenshire

Hell’s Lum near Cullykhan Bay

A sea cave on Castle Point by Cullykhan Bay, west of Pennan, whose roof has fallen in to leave a deep cleft open to the sky, a blowhole in wild weather.

Welcome

On the Banffshire coast west of Pennan, the path from the Cullykhan Bay car park runs out along the grassy promontory of Castle Point, and near its end the ground opens without warning into a narrow chasm.

This is Hell's Lum, also called the Deil's Lum: lum is the Scots word for a chimney.

It was once a sea cave running deep into the headland. Its roof has fallen in, leaving a sheer-sided cleft of red rock open to the sky, and at its foot a tunnel still runs through to the sea. On a calm day the water sighs in and out far below. In wild weather, with a big swell running, the waves are forced up through it and the Lum becomes a blowhole, throwing a column of spray into the air, as if the chimney were smoking.

The point also holds the site of Fort Fiddes, and the sandy cove of Cullykhan Bay lies just below.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
A short drive awayThe Pennan InnThe inn from Local Hero, now an AA Rosette restaurant cooking fish from the local ports.5 min by roadSee itThe whitewashed row of Pennan below the cliffs, the red phone box by the inn.
Before you go

Free, at any time.

A rough path runs from the car park above Cullykhan Bay out onto Castle Point, and the edges of the Lum are sheer and unfenced.

Where
Castle Point, Cullykhan Bay, off the B9031 a mile west of Pennan.
Also called
The Deil's Lum.

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Where it is

On Castle Point above Cullykhan Bay, a mile west of Pennan on the Banffshire coast.

Close byThe Banffshire coast.
  1. Cullykhan BayCullykhan BayA sandy cove below the site of Fort Fiddes.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. PennanPennanA single street of cottages below the cliffs.1 mile 4 min by road
  3. Coastal CuppieCoastal Cuppie1 mile 5 min by road
  4. Troup HeadTroup HeadGannet cliffs on the headland to the west.3 miles 8 min by road
  5. CrovieCrovie4 miles 10 min by road
Directions
The whitewashed row of Pennan below the cliffs, the red phone box by the inn.RestaurantsThe Pennan Inn1.4 miles
Fishing boats moored in Gardenstown harbour beneath white houses on the hillsideAttractionsGardenstown4.5 miles
The grey timber front of Bumble and Brae in Gardenstown, green trim and hanging baskets by the door.CafeBumble and Brae4.6 miles
Dark rocks and reef along the shore at Aberdour Beach, the sea beyond.AttractionsNew Aberdour Beach5.0 miles
Small boats in Rosehearty harbour at low water, the breakwater behind.AttractionsRosehearty Harbour9.3 miles
Visitors walking towards a glass-fronted blue building beneath a rocky overhangAttractionsMacduff Marine Aquarium9.6 miles
The ruined walls of Pitsligo Castle standing over a green lawn.AttractionsPitsligo Castle9.8 miles
Fishing boats moored in the basin of Macduff harbour under a clear sky.AttractionsMacduff Harbour9.8 miles
AttractionsFraserburgh Golf Club9.8 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the Lum, and when each is next free.

A single-storey lodge with a slated roof sits behind a stone wall and clipped hedge, mature trees shading the curving drive.Gate Lodge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 20 miles from Hell's Lum
Check datesA triangular timber cabin stands behind a wooden gate and post-and-rail fence, bare trees framing the entrance.Midpark
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 20 miles from Hell's Lum
Free 31 Oct – 2 NovA stone cottage with a slated roof and a blue front door, climbing roses in pink and white flanking the porch.Butlers Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Rothiemay
  • 20 miles from Hell's Lum
Free 11–14 DecA grey stone cottage with dormer windows and a black front door, climbing roses either side, set behind a lawn.Bailies Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Rothiemay
  • 20 miles from Hell's Lum
Free 1–4 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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