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A green headland and dark sea cliffs curving away above a rocky shore by Siccar Point under a pale blue sky.
Scottish Borders

Siccar Point

The rocky headland on the Berwickshire coast where James Hutton saw the proof of deep time in 1788, one of the most famous places in geology.

Welcome

Siccar Point looks like any other rocky headland on the Berwickshire coast, but it is one of the most important places in the history of science.

In 1788 the geologist James Hutton came here by boat and found the evidence that changed how we understand the age of the Earth.

On the point, dark grey rocks stand on end, formed on the floor of an ancient ocean. On top of them lie almost flat layers of red sandstone, laid down on land some 65 million years later. Between them is a line marking an old land surface where the lower rocks had been folded, lifted and worn away. Hutton saw that this must have taken unimaginable time. His friend John Playfair wrote that the mind grew giddy looking so far into the abyss of time.

The Edinburgh Geological Society opened its Deep Time Trail in 2026 to help visitors find the place and understand it. The final descent to the rocks is steep, so take care.

A short drive awayColdingham Beach CaféA small white café on the sand at Coldingham Bay near St Abbs, for coffee, milkshakes and cake beside the beach huts.17 min by roadSee itInside the beach café: wooden floor and tables, with chalkboard menus above the white counter.
Before you go

Open at any hour; the final descent to the rocks is steep.

Where
The Berwickshire coast near Cockburnspath.
Hutton
1788.
The gap
About 65 million years.
Where it is

On the Berwickshire coast near Cockburnspath; the last descent to the promontory is steep.

Close byThe Berwickshire coast.
  1. Grassy headland overlooking a rocky shoreline and calm coastal watersBerwickshire Coastal PathThirty miles of cliffs, coves and fishing villages from Cockburnspath to Berwick-upon-Tweed, one of Scotland's Great Trails.3 miles8 min by road
  2. Coldingham BayColdingham BayA sandy bay by St Abbs.9 miles16 min by road
  3. St Abb’s Head National Nature ReserveSt Abb’s Head National Nature ReserveSeabird cliffs further south.10 miles18 min by road
  4. St AbbsSt AbbsA small fishing village on the Berwickshire coast, with a working harbour, a lifeboat station and some of the best diving in Britain.10 miles18 min by road
  5. Prawn and salad roll beside a takeaway cup of juice on a picnic tableEbbcarrs CafeA small cafe in a stone cottage on the harbour at St Abbs, with fresh food, crab and coffee after a coastal walk.10 miles19 min by road
Directions
A landscape view of the Blue Cabin at the foot of the brae, lamps lit by its red door and boats drawn up on the grass.CockburnspathBlue Cabin by the SeaSleeps 4 · 1.8 miles
Inside the beach café: wooden floor and tables, with chalkboard menus above the white counter.CafeColdingham Beach Café9.7 miles
Low sun through the café's sash windows and glazed garden door, wooden chairs at the tables and green fields outside.CafeThe Woodlands Café10 miles
White clubhouse with red tiled roof beside a links golf courseAttractionsDunbar Golf Course11 miles
Railed path leads from grassy clifftop down to a rocky shorelineAttractionsDunbar High Street12 miles
Dunbar High Street under a blue sky, the white Town House with its tower and spire among the old buildings.AttractionsDunbar Town House Museum & Gallery12 miles
John Muir's Birthplace on Dunbar High Street, a white-harled house with flowers by the open door.AttractionsJohn Muir's Birthplace12 miles
Fishing boats moor beneath Dunbar Castle's red sandstone ruins on the harbourAttractionsThe Creel Loaders12 miles
The Creel Restaurant lit up on a wet street corner at nightRestaurantsThe Creel, Dunbar12 miles
Stay nearby

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

A landscape view of the Blue Cabin at the foot of the brae, lamps lit by its red door and boats drawn up on the grass.Blue Cabin by the Sea
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Cockburnspath
  • 2 miles from Siccar Point
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Scottish BordersAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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