Photo of Duncansby Head, a visitor attraction near John o' Groats, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands. — © Chris Downer / Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Duncansby Head

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Approximate location — this spot is pinned to the nearest village, so the exact point may be a little way off.

The most north-easterly point of the Scottish mainland, Duncansby Head is a green clifftop with a lighthouse built in 1924. Walk south from the car park for a few minutes and you reach the Duncansby Stacks, tall pointed sea pinnacles rising straight out of the water — the real reason to come. A minor road runs out to the head from John o’ Groats.

More places to visit near Duncansby Head

Photo: Stacks of Duncansby, a viewpoint near John o' Groats, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Stacks of Duncansby

Viewpoint near John o' Groats

Towering pointed sea stacks rising off the cliffs a short walk south of Duncansby Head.

0.8 km SE

Photo: John o' Groats Signpost, a viewpoint in Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

John o' Groats Signpost

Viewpoint near John o' Groats

The iconic direction signpost marking the traditional end of the Land's End to John o' Groats journey.

1.6 km NW

Photo of Stroma, an island in Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Stroma

Island near John o' Groats

Pentland Firth island whose last families left in 1962, with an empty village, a lighthouse and the Swilkie tide race nearby

5.2 km NW

Photo of Castle of Mey Gardens, a garden in Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Castle of Mey Gardens

Garden near Mey

The late Queen Mother's northern home near John o' Groats, with a sheltered walled Great Garden by the Pentland Firth.

10.5 km W

Photo of South Ronaldsay, an island in the Orkney Islands, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

South Ronaldsay

Island near St Margaret's Hope

Barrier-linked island with St Margaret's Hope, the Tomb of the Eagles clifftop cairn and wartime batteries on Hoxa Head

11.2 km NE

Photo of Sinclair's Bay, a beach near Keiss, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Sinclair's Bay

Beach near Keiss

Huge sweep of Caithness sand between Wick and Keiss, flanked by a castle at each end.

14 km S