11 Cliffs to Explore in Scotland

Checkout places to visit in Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom, covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Mainland Scotland has a 96 mile (154 km) border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast, and the Irish Sea to the south. Scotland includes more than 790 islands.

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Cliffs to Explore in Scotland

Arbroath Cliffs

The Arbroath cliffs are made up of river-lain sandstones and conglomerates (petrified gravel) of two different ages – 410 million years old and 370 million years old. It also offers a beautiful walk through the bay and enjoy the sound and smell of the sea and walk off the chips.

Cape Wrath

Cape Wrath is the most north-westerly point in mainland Britain. The cape is separated from the rest of the mainland by the Kyle of Durness inlet and consists of 107 square miles (280 square kilometres) of moorland wilderness known as the Parph. The first road was built in 1828 by the lighthouse commission across the Parph/Durness. This road connects a passenger ferry that crosses the Kyle of Durness with the buildings on the peninsula.

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is located about 3 miles north of Wick on the east coast of Caithness, Scotland. It is considered to be one of the earliest seats of Clan Sinclair. It comprises the ruins of two castles: the 15th-century Castle Girnigoe; and the early 17th-century Castle Sinclair. The ruins sits upon a rocky promontory jutting out into Sinclair Bay.

Duncansby Head

Duncansby Head is the most northeasterly part of the British mainland. The point is marked by Duncansby Head Lighthouse, and Duncansby Stacks, prominent sea stacks just off the coast.

Handa Island

Handa Island is an island off the west coast of Sutherland, Scotland. It is 309 hectares (760 acres) and 123 metres (404 ft) at its highest point. The island is of national importance for its birdlife and maritime vegetation. Handa is composed of Torridonian red sandstone and surrounded by cliffs covered with birds, which includes puffins, razorbills and guillemots.

Inverness Castle

Inverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness in Inverness, Scotland. The red sandstone structure, displaying an early castellated style, is the work of a few nineteenth-century architects. There has been a castle on this site for many centuries. Until the 30th of March 2020 it housed Inverness Sheriff Court. In April 2017 the north tower of the castle was opened to the public as a view point. At present, only the castle grounds and the north tower are open to the public.

Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls

The spectacular 55 metres (180 ft) tall sea-cliffs of Kilt Rock are made of dolerite rock strata in many different colours. Kilt Rock boasts a dramatic waterfall- Mealt Falls, created from the outflow of Loch Mealt. Mealt Falls plummets from the top of the cliffs to the rock-laden coast below.

Muck Island

Muck is the smallest of four main islands in the Small Isles, part of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The larger part of the island is formed from olivine-phyric basalt flows erupted during the Palaeocene.

Neist Point

Neist Point is a viewpoint on the most westerly point of Isle of Skye. Neist Point Lighthouse has been located there since 1909. Whales, dolphins, porpoises, and basking shark can be seen from the point.

Seaton Cliffs Nature Reserve

Seaton Cliffs extends over 12ha of unimproved grassland behind red sandstone cliffs. Spectacular cliffs of rich red sandstones and conglomerates make Seaton Cliffs a colourful spot at any time of the year. Over the 350 million years since they were deposited, these rocks have been subjected to the immense forces of the sea. Plants, such as thrift, sea campion and six species of vetch, thrive in these conditions, and over 300 species of invertebrates are attracted to the wildflowers.

Yesnaby

Yesnaby is one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in Orkney. It is renowned for its spectacular Old Red Sandstone coastal cliff scenery which includes sea stacks, blowholes, geos and frequently boiling seas. Most visitors to the impressive cliffs at Yesnaby explore the immediate area, and enjoy the stunning views there, but we think there is much to see if you take the less beaten path and walk northwards.

Map of Cliffs to explore in Scotland