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The Gloup

Hidden Gem

Terrain:

Activities

Best Time To Visit

Coastal, Caves, Cliffs

Walking, Photography, Wildlife Watching

March to early January

Photo: Chris Downer via Geograph.org.uk

The Gloup is a dramatic collapsed sea cave on the coast at Deerness, on the eastern Mainland of Orkney, within the Mull Head nature reserve. A long, deep chasm in the rock, its roof fallen in, it is cut off from the open sea by a natural land bridge, under which the waves still surge in through a tu...

3

Parking nearby

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Food Spots nearby

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Staycations nearby

Parking:

Food:

Staycations:

3 overnight parking

Nearest Hidden Gem 2

Nearest Hidden Gem 3

FAQ's/Things to Know

Where is The Gloup?
Orkney's wild eastern edge hides this dramatic coastal chasm on the Deerness peninsula. Walkers easily reach the site by following the clear perimeter paths within the local nature reserve.

What type of place is The Gloup?
The Gloup is a collapsed sea cave in the Mull Head Nature Reserve on the Orkney Islands.

When is the best time to visit The Gloup?
March to early January provides the widest seasonal window to experience the site safely. Bright autumn mornings offer the finest natural illumination for peering down into the deep, dark recess.

What can you do at The Gloup?
Walking along the grassy cliff edge allows you to watch nesting fulmars along the sheer rock walls. Many people also enjoy listening to the deep, rhythmic thudding of the waves echoing from the watery underworld below.

How long should I spend at The Gloup?
Allowing roughly an hour provides ample time to complete the short walk from the car park and take photographs. Anyone wanting to tackle the full coastal loop around the headland will need a longer stay.

Where do I park at The Gloup?
Space for vehicles includes three overnight parking spots near the nature reserve. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I eat near The Gloup?
There are no food spots recorded immediately near The Gloup, check the UK Hidden Gems app for the nearest options.

Where can I stay near The Gloup?
There are no staycation spots recorded immediately near The Gloup, check the UK Hidden Gems app for the nearest options.

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Last Updated:

02 July 2026

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