Check out this review of my visit to Duncansby Stacks, a stunning walk located just a few miles from John O’Groats.
But first an important question!
What Are the Stacks of Duncansby?
Duncansby Stacks are a series of dramatic sea stacks located at Duncansby Head. They are very easy to visit and crammed with seabirds including puffins (depending on time of year). They are very close to John O’Groats in Scotland.
Want to know to reach them?
Want to know what there is to see?
Great.
Then check out my review which includes my photos and videos.
Table of Contents
1. Where Are Duncansby Stacks?
The location of Duncansby Stacks is at Duncansby head, to the East of John O’Groats.
The sea stacks are located just off the Eastern coast.
2. Getting to Duncansby Stacks
Duncansby Stacks are located to the East of John O’Groats, at a place called Duncansby Head.
To reach them take a right turn off the A99 just infront of the Seaview Hotel (which is on the right hand side of the A99). This is just as you are coming into the outskirts of John O’Groats.
After turning right you will see Puffin Croft on your left hand side.
Keep travelling along this road to Duncasby Head. It is approximately 2 miles and most of the road is single track with passing places.
At the end of the road you will cross a cattle grid as Duncasby Head is an open grazing area, meaning sheep are grazing freely there. As such extra care is needed with dogs and they should be kept on a lead.
As you reach Duncansby Head you will see the lighthouse ahead of you.
There is free parking on the left hand side.
3. Walking at Duncansby Stacks (Actually Duncansby Head)
The headland is called Duncansby Head, so it is this area that you need to walk across to reach Duncansby Stacks.
The ground is rough and uneven, as you would expect for a field and an area near the cliffs.
Good footwear is advisable.
The grazing sheep does mean there is some sheep poo to avoid and there are also a good selection of flies in the area too.
There are a variety of well trodden areas in the grass which show you the main walking routes to reach the Duncansby Stacks.
4. Duncansby Stacks Walk
On leaving the car park you head into a grassed area and the first thing you will see is a small concrete block, which is a trig point, used by ordnance survey for measuring purposes.
Head away from the car park across the grass and you will come to an inlet/ravine which will give you your first spectacular views of birds nesting at Duncansby Stacks.
Birds nest at all levels on these cliffs – not only are the views dramatic but the sounds are pretty spectacular too.
It is worth walking around the edge of this ‘inlet’. There is a spectacular section on the opposite side from the car park nearest the sea where there is a large sea cave. Again the sounds and sights are wonderful. Here’s my picture of some of the birds nesting in the cave.
5. Continuing to First Stack of Duncansby Stacks
Walking from the first inlet you can walk across towards the sea and there you will find a small stack just a short distance from the cliffs. The path to this stack is much less well trodden as most people head directly for the main stacks. It is worth a little diversion though.
6. Duncansby Stacks – The Main Stacks
There is a lovely panoramic view of Duncansby Stacks having walked across the grass from the car park. It is fantastic to see the stacks together.
7. Walking Around the Cliff Edge to View Duncansby Stacks
There is a path (well trodden grass rather than an actual path) that follows around the cliff edge. You just follow along and can walk to get a close up view of the stacks themselves.
This walk has some steeper sections, as you would expect from a cliff path but it is manageable.
There is a particular section where the path is close to the cliff edge and the birds fly very close overhead as they ride the winds coming off the cliff face. This is a particularly spectacular spot.
8. Returning to the Car Park from Duncansby Stacks
You can retrace your steps or you can take a short cut back across the middle of the grassed area to get back to the car park.
9. Practical Information for Visiting Duncansby Stacks
There are no toilets at Duncansby Head. The nearest are at John O’Groats.
There is parking for coaches and cars at Duncansby Head.
There is also a nice walk to the sandy beach and around the Boars of Duncansby which is the tidal area nearest the car park.
11. Puffin Croft
On the way to John O’Groats we stopped at Puffin Croft. This is a small petting farm located just before the junction back onto the main road. Puffin Croft is on the right if you are returning from Duncansby Head.
There is parking for around 5 cars. On entry you will see some donkeys on the right hand side.
Entry was pretty much self service – you made a donation in the shop which was £2 per person. There were various craft and local items for sale as well as some food and drink i.e. cheese and onion slices etc.
The entry to the croft itself was just through a small barrier.
To the left on entry a building housing Mr Bingley, a very nice pig and some chickens. Then came enclosures with goats including a very lovely micro goat called Eli with the most adorable brown eyes.
Two more pigs, this time micro pigs and then some geese. There was also a rabbit enclosure and a small area with two Shetland ponies in it.
We spent around 15 minutes at the croft in total and that included feeding the animals with carrots that we had purchased from the shop.
There are no toilets at the croft so we headed around to John O’Groats to use the public toilets there.
12. John O’Groats
It was very busy when we visited, partly because it was a very warm and sunny day. The car park was almost full and so were all the cafes and outside seating areas.
The public toilets are to the far side of the car park as you enter and they are paid public toilets. It costs 40p to use the toilets, in cash with no change given. There is no change machine at the toilets.
Having seen some McLaren cars heading for John O’Groats we took a quick stroll down to see them but just found the whole area too busy so we left and started heading home, back down South.
Duncansby Stacks was the main point of our visit to and it was why we stayed in Wick.
If you are looking to stay in Wick then why not check out my Wick Hotel article which includes a video review of our hotel alternative (a fab 2 bed apartment) plus where we ate etc.
Looking for some more UK travel inspiration? Check out my other articles about the Scottish Highlands
13. Planning on Visiting John O’ Groats?
You may prefer to stay in Wick – check out these Wick hotels
Check out this review of a great Wick Self Catering Stay – right on the NC500!
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this article on Duncansby Stacks you might be interested in the following;
Wick Self Catering – a review of a lovely apartment sleeping 4 people on the NC500
Scottish Highlands Road Trip – a lovely 1 or 2 day trip that can be done from Inverness or Dingwall or Gairloch
The Scottish Highlands – all you need to know about this fabulous region of Scotland
Highland Cottages with Hot Tubs – some fantastic places to stay throughout the Highlands
For more ideas for your next trip check out my Travel Inspiration page
- 14 Dog Friendly Highland Cottages with Hot Tubs – Bubbly BlissAre you looking to visit the Highlands of Scotland? Looking for Highland cottages with hot tubs so you can enjoy some bubbly holiday bliss? Great – well here is a selection picked just for you with some notes from me to help you find you perfect stay! I’ve organised this list in ascending price order.… Read More »14 Dog Friendly Highland Cottages with Hot Tubs – Bubbly Bliss
- Inverewe Gardens Scotland – All You Need to KnowWhat Are Inverewe Gardens Scotland? Inverewe Gardens are botanical gardens set on the West coast of Scotland. They are warmed by the Gulf Stream enabling them to grow a much wider variety of plants than is normally possible in Scotland. The results are stunning gardens which are packed full of interest whatever your age. Planning… Read More »Inverewe Gardens Scotland – All You Need to Know
- 10 Dog Friendly Cottages Inverness: Happy Doggie HolidaysTable of Contents Looking for dog friendly cottages Inverness?Dog Friendly Cottages Inverness1. 1 Bedroomed Property in the Heart of the City Beside the River NessDog Friendly Cottages Inverness2. 2 x Double Bedrooms, 2 x Bathrooms, Quiet Location & Enclosed GardenDog Friendly Cottages Inverness3. 5 x Bedrooms, BBQ Hut & Hot Tub – Holiday Heaven!Dog Friendly… Read More »10 Dog Friendly Cottages Inverness: Happy Doggie Holidays
- 6 Lodges with Hot Tubs In Inverness For Bubbly Blissful City StaysLooking for some super cute lodges with hot tubs Inverness? Well you are in the right place! Inverness is a great base for a stay in the Highlands, giving you great access to all the attractions that the Highlands has to offer. For now let’s get cracking finding you a great lodge with a hot… Read More »6 Lodges with Hot Tubs In Inverness For Bubbly Blissful City Stays
- Holiday Cottages Inverness – Great Holiday Homes In & Around the CityWhy Should You Choose Inverness for Your Holiday Cottage? Inverness is a great location making it wasy to travel North, South, East and West with plenty of attractions in each direction. Whilst a city Inverness is actually more like a town – with a total population of just 80,000 people. It is easy to use… Read More »Holiday Cottages Inverness – Great Holiday Homes In & Around the City
- Duncansby Stacks Review: Stunning Walk Nr John O’GroatsCheck out this review of my visit to Duncansby Stacks, a stunning walk located just a few miles from John O’Groats. But first an important question! What Are the Stacks of Duncansby? Duncansby Stacks are a series of dramatic sea stacks located at Duncansby Head. They are very easy to visit and crammed with seabirds… Read More »Duncansby Stacks Review: Stunning Walk Nr John O’Groats
- Great Wick Self Catering Property – On NC500Looking for a Wick Self Catering Property? Looking to stay in Wick? Looking for a self catering property? Why not consider this great 2 double bedroomed apartment with free parking, fully equipped kitchen, all linen and towels, great lounge with Neflix and Freeview on the TV within a 10 minute walk of Wick High Street?… Read More »Great Wick Self Catering Property – On NC500
- Fabulous Forres Self Catering Holiday CottageTable of Contents Looking for a Forres self catering holiday cottage?Forres Self Catering Cottage – Booking Wee GemForres Self Catering – Pre-Arrival InformationArriving at A Wee Gem Forres Self Catering Holiday CottageWee Gem Forres Holiday Cottage Facilities Looking for a Forres self catering holiday cottage? Dog friendly? Rural countryside location? Easy access to Forres? Surrounded… Read More »Fabulous Forres Self Catering Holiday Cottage
- 10 Important Things To Know Before Visiting the HighlandsAre you planning on visiting the Highlands? If so, great, and great choice by the way. I’ve been lucky enough to live in the Highlands of Scotland for coming up on 20 years and I still absolutely love it. There is always something new to see, a new delight, a new surprise – I’ve never… Read More »10 Important Things To Know Before Visiting the Highlands
- Getting to The Highlands – By Plane, Train or Automobile!In this article I am going to share the different ways of getting to the Highlands, via planes, trains and automobiles (great film if you haven’t seen it!). Of course Covid19 changes have meant reduced services, and we are all unable to travel at the minute but this is to help you plan how to… Read More »Getting to The Highlands – By Plane, Train or Automobile!
- Inverness Airport Hotel Review: Right Next to the Terminal!Looking to stay at the Inverness airport hotel? Then check out this review of a 1 night stay. It includes a video tour of the room and views from the room which were of the runway! Read on for everything you need to know and to find the best prices available online for this great… Read More »Inverness Airport Hotel Review: Right Next to the Terminal!
- Reelig Glen – A Magical & Easy Circular Walk With Fab Views and a Grotto!Table of Contents Reelig Glen Is An Easy Walk Near Inverness 1. Getting to Reelig Glen2. Reelig Glen Walking Routes3. Reelig Glen Folly Reelig Glen Is An Easy Walk Near Inverness Are you looking for an interesting walk within easy reach of Inverness? This is a fantastic walk with everything you could wish for –… Read More »Reelig Glen – A Magical & Easy Circular Walk With Fab Views and a Grotto!
- The Scottish Highlands – A Stunning Destination Anytime of YearIf you are thinking of visiting the Scottish Highlands then fab! This article is an in depth look at the place I’ve been lucky enough to call home for 18 years. It’s a stunning destination to visit, whatever the time of year and packed with interesting things to discover. Here’s my overview on why the… Read More »The Scottish Highlands – A Stunning Destination Anytime of Year
- Plodda Falls – A Beautiful Circular Walk With Dramatic FallsLooking to visit Plodda Falls? Check out all you need to know about this fantastic circular walk. It’s got huge trees, dramatic falls and cakes. Plodda Falls – Drama, History and a Cake Shed! Despite having lived in the Scottish Highlands for around 15 years and being a real fan of waterfalls I had never… Read More »Plodda Falls – A Beautiful Circular Walk With Dramatic Falls
- Inverness Hotel Deals – 20 Hotels In & Around the CityAre you looking great Inverness hotel deals? Looking for a locals guide to help you find the best hotel for your stay? Want to find the best price quickly and easily? Then yippee you are in the right place. I’ve been in the Highlands for 17 years and I’ve stayed at most of the hotels… Read More »Inverness Hotel Deals – 20 Hotels In & Around the City
- Easy 1 or 2 Day Scottish Highlands Road Trip With Stunning SceneryLooking for a Scottish Highlands Road Trip? Having lived in the Highlands for 18 years I never tire of a Scottish Highlands road trip. This itinerary can be done in 1 or 2 days from Inverness, Dingwall or Strathpeffer. It takes in part of the NC500 route but also includes a much less visited, but… Read More »Easy 1 or 2 Day Scottish Highlands Road Trip With Stunning Scenery
- 16 Inverness Activities – Fun Things To Do & Places to VisitAre you looking for ideas for Inverness activities? Well I’ve got 16 of my favourite Inverness activities and places to visit right here to help you. Let’s get started! (At the time of writing Covid19 is still impacting travel so it’s always best to double check the current rules in advance) PS – This list… Read More »16 Inverness Activities – Fun Things To Do & Places to Visit
- Inverness Airport Lounge Review: Super Friendly and Fab To UseLooking to use Inverness airport lounge? It’s a regular stop for me and a great way to start a flight. Check out this guide to the facilities available at Inverness Airport lounge. Table of Contents 1. Inverness Airport Lounge Location2. Inverness Airport Lounge Facilities3. Inverness Airport Lounge Toilet Facilities4. Using Inverness Airport Lounge5. Delayed Flights… Read More »Inverness Airport Lounge Review: Super Friendly and Fab To Use