Whaligoe Steps

4 Mar

The Whaligoe Steps are 330 or so zig-zagging steps on a cliffside that take you all the way down to an old harbour. This area used to be the only suitable place fishing boats could unload back in the day. It is a natural cove with sharp cliffs on either side. There is also a cool waterfall dropping into the sea to the left, but the view of it is obscured by the rock face.

In the early 19th century, fisherwomen would process the fish at the bottom and carry it up the cliff and then a further 7 miles along the road to Wick where they would sell it. You might want to think of this on your way up and down, it might help with motivation!

The steps are a few miles south of Wick, very close to the main road. Watch out for the entrance, it’s very easy to miss it as there is no signage. Check the map for the exact location. From there, it’s only a 100m drive to the parking lot. One thing to note though is the road is single-track and the parking at the end is really limited - this can become a problem at peak times.