Quick Summary
Duncansby Head is a free coastal stop at the northeast corner of the NC500, home to a line of sea stacks that look like they were placed there by hand. The walk is muddy but easy, and as long as you want to make it.
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: About 1 hour
- Parking: Free, paved lot
- Bathrooms: None
- Best for: Sea stack views, cliff walks, and photos
- Heads up: The road in is single-track, and the trail is muddy and cuts through a field of sheep
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Click here for discounts and booking tips!What Are The Duncansby Stacks?
From a technical point of view, the stacks are layers of Old Red Sandstone that have eroded into roughly pyramid-shaped towers just off the coast. This happens over millions of years as the coast is battered by constant wind and rain, though if you're here on a rough weather day, you might be surprised it took so long.
All of these stacks used to be attached to the cliffs along the coast, until the relentless erosion wore away big tunnels and ravines. At some point, each stack was held on by just a big arch (which would be a great use case for a time machine to go back and see), and eventually those fell into the sea too.
Now they are just an odd-looking formation. The way they sit just off the coast in such a perfect line, and even the way the smaller stones that make up each stack fit together, all look very man-made. The stones look like they were stacked together like lego bricks, and the line of stacks looks like it was dropped into place by a giant doing some reorganizing along the coast.
But from a tourist viewpoint, this is an amazing coastal cliff walk through a field with pretty much constant amazing views of the stacks as well as the incredible cliffs that run along the coast.
Getting There And Parking
The experience itself has less to do with the history of the stacks, so here is what to actually expect when you arrive.
Before you arrive, expect a long and stressful single-track road. It's not actually too bad, but there are a lot of people coming and going and a lot of big campers on the road, so take it slow. Keep in mind that most of the people you're passing are tourists on day 1 or 2 of their road trip, and they are still probably figuring it out.
Once you reach the parking lot, you might need to wait a bit for a spot. We got one right away in September in our small campervan, but when we finished the walk, we were planning to put on a cup of tea and found a few cars waiting for a spot, so we rushed out of there a bit quicker than planned. If it's that busy in September, when most of the other stops are quiet, I can only imagine that in peak season parking is a competitive sport.
There are no bathrooms, so plan accordingly. The nearest washrooms are about a 10-minute drive away at John o' Groats.
Walking To The Stacks
Once you've secured your spot, the fun begins. I assume this is fun for you, since you chose a Scotland road trip over a beachfront patio on the Adriatic.
Since this adventure started with a long single-track road, it only makes sense that step 2 is a muddy walk through a field of sheep. I'm not kidding, this is the way. There's no official walking path, just a rough trail formed by the passage of tourists, but the route generally cuts through a field where there will probably be 100 or so sheep grazing. The path is muddy and slippery, and you'll climb up and down the coastal cliffs a bit, but it's an easy walk overall and not quite a hike.
It's up to you how far you walk:
- 10 minutes: You'll get your first view of the stacks
- 20 minutes: The angle gets a bit better
- 30 to 40 minutes: You'll be on top of the cliff where the stacks were once tethered to the coast
I'm not sure how far the trail goes. We went further than most tourists, but we also saw a runner and his two dogs disappear over the horizon, well past the view of the stacks.
We got close to the point where you turn onto the cliff section where the stacks were originally joined to, and we found this was the absolute best angle. The early-on angles are fine if you just want to come check them out quickly, but if you want to get the best photos, I would suggest walking around 30 minutes to get close to where the trail spins off left and along the next set of cliffs.
How Long To Spend At Duncansby Head
Plan on about an hour for the whole stop, including the walk out and back and some time for photos. If you only want the first view of the stacks, you can do it in much less. If you want to walk to the top of the cliffs, give yourself closer to 90 minutes with the drive in and parking.
Are The Duncansby Stacks Worth It?
Absolutely. This is a free stop that rewards you with one of the most unusual coastlines on the whole route, and you can make it as short or as long as you like. I would consider this one of the 5 or so unskippable attractions along the classic route.
The sheep, the mud, and the single-track road are all part of the experience. Wear shoes that can handle a muddy field, bring a layer for the wind, and go early if you can to avoid the parking scramble.
What To Do After Duncansby Head
The classic pairing is Duncansby Head and John o' Groats. We actually recognized quite a few people taking photos with the iconic sign post of John o' Groats from our coastal walk, since we were all following a similar schedule.
John o' Groats is a perfect complement to Duncansby Head. It's not as epic, but you swap muddy fields and blistering wind for a nice clean washroom and a few different cafes, pubs, and distilleries to pick from.
John o' Groats is not a big town by any means, but it's become an iconic pitstop along the NC500 so it is able to sustain way more cafes and pubs than a little community of its size normally could. It's also just a 10 minute drive away.
A washroom break and a hot coffee was exactly what we needed after battling the coastal winds for over an hour at the stacks, and it put us in a great mood to continue on along the route.
Where To Stay Near Duncansby Head
If you want to stay nearby, John O' Groats is your best option. There is a great pub for the evening and several cafes to pick from in the morning. These are my top 2 recommendations in the area for a comfortable stay. Or if you're travelling via campervan, there is a well-regarded caravan park right next to the main parking lot.
Seaview John o' Groats Hotel
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Duncansby Head is a free, easy stop that delivers some of the best coastal scenery on the NC500. The stacks look almost man-made, the walk takes you through a muddy field of sheep, and you can choose how far to go, from a quick 10-minute look to a 40-minute walk out to the top of the cliffs. Prepare for the single-track road, arrive early to avoid the parking rush, and give yourself about an hour.
If you're still building your route, this is just one of many highlights along the way. Check out our comprehensive guide to the 21 best things to do on the NC500 for everything you need to plan the perfect trip.
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