top of page

RSPB Dunnet Head

Walk

Terrain:

Activities

Best Time To Visit

Coastal, Moorland, Cliffs

Walking, Birdwatching

Spring to Autumn

Photo: Flying Stag via Geograph.org.uk

Dunnet Head is a rugged headland of red sandstone cliffs in Caithness, the most northerly point of the British mainland, run in part as an RSPB reserve. Wild coastal heath leads out to sheer cliffs where puffins, razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes nest, and from a clifftop viewpoint, reached by a...

7

Parking nearby

1

Food Spots nearby

0

Staycations nearby

Parking:

Food:

Staycations:

4 day, 3 overnight

The Northern Sands Hotel Bar – Dunnet

Nearest Hidden Gem 1

Nearest Hidden Gem 2

Nearest Hidden Gem 3

FAQ's/Things to Know

Where is RSPB Dunnet Head?
Highland coastlines hold this spectacular northernmost point of mainland Great Britain. Walkers will find it perched directly on massive sandstone cliffs facing the sea.

What type of place is RSPB Dunnet Head?
RSPB Dunnet Head is a coastal cliff nature reserve in the north of Scotland.

When is the best time to visit RSPB Dunnet Head?
Spring through to autumn offers the best conditions for exploring these windswept trails 1179\. Summer breeding months welcome thousands of nesting seabirds like puffins, providing an exceptional wildlife spectacle.

What can you do at RSPB Dunnet Head?
Birdwatching across the expansive coastal grassland lets people see fulmars, guillemots, and puffins up close. Walking along the high plateau rewards visitors with views stretching all the way to the Orkney Islands 1179\.

How long should I spend at RSPB Dunnet Head?
Allocating roughly two hours gives ample time to stroll to the viewpoints and spot the nesting birds. A longer stay suits anyone wanting to combine birdwatching with a proper coastal hike.

Where do I park at RSPB Dunnet Head?
Drivers can utilise seven spaces close by, which provide four day and three overnight spots 1179\. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I eat near RSPB Dunnet Head?
The Northern Sands Hotel Bar – Dunnet provides one spot to get a meal in the vicinity 1179\. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I stay near RSPB Dunnet Head?
There are no staycation spots recorded immediately near RSPB Dunnet Head, check the UK Hidden Gems app for the nearest options 1179\.

Free UK Travel Guides

Planning a UK adventure? Download our free itinerary guides and hidden gem collections, completely free.

Last Updated:

02 July 2026

Logo RGB_White_Stacked.png

Download the app

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get all the latest updates regarding hidden gems and staycations plus much more!

Thanks for subscribing!

Cookie Policy

Connect with us

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • TikTok
bottom of page
UK Hidden Gems
UK Hidden GemsUncover the UK's best secrets on our app