Whaligoe Steps

Whaligoe Steps is a sandstone stairway with approximately 330 treads that winds down through steep cliff faces to reach a natural harbor platform below. The structure creates a narrow passage that connects the cliff top directly to the water, serving as the only practical route between these two levels.

The steps were constructed in the mid-1700s to provide reliable access to the harbor as fishing expanded in the region. The early 1800s brought major repairs and reinforcements that strengthened the structure to handle the increasing demand of the working community.

The steps were woven into the daily routines of fishing families, who moved between the cliff-top settlement and the harbor below with their catch and supplies. This constant traffic created a vital link between two worlds that depended entirely on each other.

The steps can become slippery in wet or windy weather, and protective railings are limited in many sections. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and move at a steady pace, as the climb back up requires physical effort.

At the base lie remnants of salt storage buildings and an old winch system, showing how workers adapted their tools to the rocky coastal environment. These remains hint at the ingenuity required to operate efficiently in such challenging terrain.

Location: Highland

Location: Wick

GPS coordinates: 58.34570,-3.16154

Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:09