North and North West Scotland (Duncansby Head to Cape Wrath and Fort William)

Introduction

The north-facing coast of Scotland is generally cliffed, with some sandy bays. It is exposed to a strong wave action from north and north–west, with heavy swell originating from Arctic Ocean storms. In the eastern sector between Duncansby Head and Dunnet Head, the Orkney Islands afford some protection from northerly wave action. Mean spring tide range is generally about 4.0 m (Scrabster 4.2 m, Rispond in Loch Eriboll 3.9 m and 4.0 m at the entrance to the Kyle of Durness).

The North Coast

The Caithness coast extends west from Duncansby Head past John o’Groats. The Old Red Sandstone cliffs are cut by chasms and arches, and cliff falls result in slow recession. They extend along the coast from Dunnet Bay to Thurso Bay and on past Sandside Bay to the eastern side of Melvich Bay, and consist of horizontally bedded flagstones, quarried as thin, flat slabs used for paving stones.

On the Dunnet Head promontory, the cliffs are up to 90 m high. They decline into Dunnet Bay, and a...