Duncansby

Settlement in Caithness

Scotland

Duncansby

Duncansby Head Trig Point Duncansby Head Trig Point is close to the summit of Duncansby Head TUMP which is fenced off.
Name: Duncansby Head
Hill number: 10048
Height: 64m / 210ft
Parent (Ma/M): 1150  Morven
Section: 16C: Tongue to Wick and Helmsdale
County/UA: Highland (UA)
Class: Tump (0-99m)
Grid ref: ND 40554 73241
Summit feature: no feature
Drop: 42m
Col: 22m  ND402727
Duncansby Head Trig Point Credit: Rude Health

Duncansby is a small coastal village located in the county of Caithness, in the northernmost part of mainland Scotland. Situated near the town of John O'Groats, it lies at the northeastern tip of the country, overlooking the Pentland Firth and the Orkney Islands. This picturesque village is known for its stunning natural beauty and rugged landscapes.

Duncansby is renowned for its majestic sea cliffs that rise dramatically from the North Sea. The most notable of these cliffs are the Duncansby Stacks, a striking rock formation consisting of two towering sea stacks, which are a popular attraction for visitors. The area is abundant in birdlife, with various species of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes, nesting along the cliffs.

The village itself is small and quaint, with a handful of houses and a few amenities for visitors, such as a cafe and a visitor center. Duncansby is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, as it offers numerous walking and hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the surrounding countryside. One popular route is the Duncansby Head Circular Walk, which takes you along the cliffs, providing breathtaking views of the coast and the open sea.

Despite its relatively remote location, Duncansby is easily accessible by road, and it attracts visitors from all over the world who come to experience its unspoiled natural beauty and tranquility. Whether it's admiring the rugged coastline, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, Duncansby offers a unique and memorable experience for those seeking a true Scottish adventure.

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Duncansby Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.638022/-3.045461 or Grid Reference ND3972. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Duncansby Head Trig Point Duncansby Head Trig Point is close to the summit of Duncansby Head TUMP which is fenced off.
Name: Duncansby Head
Hill number: 10048
Height: 64m / 210ft
Parent (Ma/M): 1150  Morven
Section: 16C: Tongue to Wick and Helmsdale
County/UA: Highland (UA)
Class: Tump (0-99m)
Grid ref: ND 40554 73241
Summit feature: no feature
Drop: 42m
Col: 22m  ND402727
Duncansby Head Trig Point
Duncansby Head Trig Point is close to the summit of Duncansby Head TUMP which is fenced off. Name: Duncansby Head Hill number: 10048 Height: 64m / 210ft Parent (Ma/M): 1150 Morven Section: 16C: Tongue to Wick and Helmsdale County/UA: Highland (UA) Class: Tump (0-99m) Grid ref: ND 40554 73241 Summit feature: no feature Drop: 42m Col: 22m ND402727
Duncansby Head from the air
Duncansby Head from the air
Duncansby Stacks These impressive sea stacks are just south of Duncansby Head in the far North East of Scotland.
Duncansby Stacks
These impressive sea stacks are just south of Duncansby Head in the far North East of Scotland.
Dunscaby Head Duncansby Head is the most north-easterly part of the Scottish mainland. The headland juts into the North Sea, with the Pentland Firth to its north and west and the Moray Firth to its south. The Dunscaby Head lighthouse stands on the tip of the headland. The lighthouse, which was built in 1924 and automated in 1997, is unusual in that its lantern tower is square rather than the more traditional round design.
Dunscaby Head
Duncansby Head is the most north-easterly part of the Scottish mainland. The headland juts into the North Sea, with the Pentland Firth to its north and west and the Moray Firth to its south. The Dunscaby Head lighthouse stands on the tip of the headland. The lighthouse, which was built in 1924 and automated in 1997, is unusual in that its lantern tower is square rather than the more traditional round design.
Trig Point at Duncansby Head Stacks of Duncansby in the background
Trig Point at Duncansby Head
Stacks of Duncansby in the background
Duncansby Head Lighthouse
Duncansby Head Lighthouse
Sea cliffs at Duncansby Head Orkney Isles on the horizon.
Sea cliffs at Duncansby Head
Orkney Isles on the horizon.
Geo of Sclaites, a deep cleft in the cliffs Near Duncansby Head, this cleft has been cut by the sea as the tide rushes into it compressing air in rocky gaps via waves squeezing air splitting the rock. This is aided by boulders and pebbles also eroding the cleft as they are smashed into the cliff by incoming waves.
Geo of Sclaites, a deep cleft in the cliffs
Near Duncansby Head, this cleft has been cut by the sea as the tide rushes into it compressing air in rocky gaps via waves squeezing air splitting the rock. This is aided by boulders and pebbles also eroding the cleft as they are smashed into the cliff by incoming waves.
The lighthouse at Duncansby Head Unusually for this p.art of Scotland, there is a heat-haze
The lighthouse at Duncansby Head
Unusually for this p.art of Scotland, there is a heat-haze
The geo of Sclaites
The geo of Sclaites
Thirle Door and the Stacks of Duncansby
Thirle Door and the Stacks of Duncansby
Cliff near the Geo of Sclaites The cliffs here are alive with nesting seabirds;  on this cliff, mainly guillemots.
Cliff near the Geo of Sclaites
The cliffs here are alive with nesting seabirds; on this cliff, mainly guillemots.
Trig point at Duncansby Head The lighthouse in the distance.
Trig point at Duncansby Head
The lighthouse in the distance.
Duncansby Head Lighthouse This is a comparatively recent lighthouse, built as recently as 1924. More information is available at <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/9515/duncansby-head-lighthouse" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/9515/duncansby-head-lighthouse">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> and <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Duncansby-Head/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Duncansby-Head/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Duncansby Head Lighthouse
This is a comparatively recent lighthouse, built as recently as 1924. More information is available at LinkExternal link and LinkExternal link.
Geo of Sclaites This is one of many deep clefts in the cliffs, each one the site of a collapsed sea cave.
Geo of Sclaites
This is one of many deep clefts in the cliffs, each one the site of a collapsed sea cave.
Geo of Sclaites The head of this geo forks. There is a sea cave below the landward end of this branch.
Geo of Sclaites
The head of this geo forks. There is a sea cave below the landward end of this branch.
Stacks of Duncansby The nearer of the prominent twin sea stacks is in this square, as is the natural arch of Thirle Door on the right.
Stacks of Duncansby
The nearer of the prominent twin sea stacks is in this square, as is the natural arch of Thirle Door on the right.
Gibb's Craig Gibb's Craig is the sea stack, and the cliff beside it is Queenie Cliff. The nesting seabirds are mostly auks and fulmars.
Gibb's Craig
Gibb's Craig is the sea stack, and the cliff beside it is Queenie Cliff. The nesting seabirds are mostly auks and fulmars.
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Duncansby is located at Grid Ref: ND3972 (Lat: 58.638022, Lng: -3.045461)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///erupts.acrobats.tennis. Near John o' Groats, Highland

Nearby Locations

Duncansby

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Lat/Long: 58.6366748/-3.0519138
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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