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All the United Kingdom Scotland Whaligoe Whaligoe Steps

Whaligoe Steps

Cut into a sheer cliff face, these stairs are the only way to reach a secluded Scottish harbor.

Whaligoe, Scotland

Added By
TomBat , Richard Grant
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Whaligoe Steps   Mike Beltzner / CC BY-SA 2.0
Whaligoe Steps   Mike Beltzner / CC BY-SA 2.0
Whaligoe Steps   Postdlf / CC BY-SA 3.0
Whaligoe   Adam Court / CC BY 2.0
Whaligoe Steps   RichardGrant02 / Atlas Obscura User
Whaligoe Steps as seen from above   RichardGrant02 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Whaligoe Steps are the only access to Whaligoe Haven, an ancient harbor in the north of Scotland. The steep stairs are bounded on three sides by cliff faces that reach some 250 feet into the sky. The steps themselves are hewn into the rock, with some recent repairs to allow safe access.

Around 1793, Captain David Brodie paid a local stonemason to cut stairs in the side of the cliff, to provide easier access to the harbor. The steps wind a zig-zag pattern that follows the shape of the cliff. Different sources estimate different total numbers of stairs—some say 330, while others say 365.

Related Tags

Stone Landscapes Stairs

Know Before You Go

It’s quite easy to access once you’re there. There are no tickets or check-in required. Simply park in the parking lot, and make your way down the stairs.

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Added By

TomBat, RichardGrant02

Edited By

rbenn250, Michelle Cassidy

  • rbenn250
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

December 29, 2022

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Sources
  • https://www.britainexpress.com/scotland/Highlands/Caithness/whaligoe-steps.htm
  • https://www.northcoast500.com/listing/whaligoe-steps/
Whaligoe Steps
1 The Haven
Whaligoe, Scotland, KW2 6AA
United Kingdom
58.346122, -3.162502
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Hill O' Many Stanes

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Hill O' Many Stanes

Mid Clyth, Scotland

miles away

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miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

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