Duncansby Stacks

Whenever I’m planning a photo tour, I consider my experiences from previous visits, use apps like PhotoPills, and keep an eye on the tides. Whilst planning, I always imagine finding the location illuminated in the best possible light, knowing that this is the least predictable factor in countries like Scotland. I’m therefore even more surprised when a plan actually works out perfectly! Just like during my last visit to Duncansby Head.

Anyone in search of unspoilt Scottish landscapes will sooner or later end up at this spectacular coastal stretch in the northern Highlands. In particular, two mighty sea stacks, the Stacks of Duncansby, shape the scenery. The striking rocky outcrops rise some 60 metres out of the North Sea. The ensemble also features a natural rock arch and several smaller stacks, which complete the panorama perfectly.

The Duncansby Stacks are a photo spot that requires a bit of an effort to reach. From the car park at Duncansby Head Lighthouse, the walk takes you cross-country over a grassy hilltop. Once you have crossed this hill, the full panorama of the cliffs unfolds before you in all its glory. A muddy path winds its way down to the cliff’s edge, from where you have the best view of the rocky coastline stretching to the horizon. If you fancy it, you can follow this cliff path southwards to get really close to the stacks.

To photograph the entire cliff panorama, you should set off early. During the morning hours, the cliffs are bathed in the most beautiful light, whilst from midday onwards large sections remain in shadow. If, on the other hand, you plan to walk along the cliff path to photograph the stack from the south, the best time is from late morning to early afternoon. You can therefore easily spend several hours exploring the Duncansby Stacks.