The real north east tip of Scotland is Duncansby Head, a good mile or two further north east than John O Groats. From the lighthouse there is a fabulous walk along the cliff edges to this scenic spot. Looking south along the Old Red Sandstone cliffs, there is first Thirle Door - a natural sea arch, and beyond are the Stacks of Duncansby. The stacks look very chunky and solid from this angle, but if you walk further along the cliffs you get an edge on view, and you come to realise just how fragile they are. They are surrounded by the bases of other stacks, all that is left of other rock towers that have succumbed to the weather and collapsed. The whole area is home to thousands of seabirds, seen sitting on cliff perches or swirling around above the sea. Yet another example of why Scotland is such a special country.

Pre-sunrise