The Whaligoe Steps, which descend the cliffside in a zigzag pattern, are open all year long and are free to explore. One of Scotland's most extraordinary harbours is Whaligoe Haven. a naturally occurring harbour with steps leading down to a landing site for local fishermen hauling in their catch.
Catch and transport of herring, salmon, whitefish, and shellfish took place in the salt house, which is now a ruin at the foot of the steps. Follow in the footsteps of the fisherwoman who, in the 1800s, could carry baskets of fish up 365 artificial steps each day before carrying them on foot to the adjacent town of Wick in Caithness to be sold.
Thomas Telford first explored the area in 1786 and concluded that it would make a poor harbour. Captain David Brodie then took on the job and devised a plan to build the stairs for £8, creating a harbour that could accommodate about 14 herring boats, 5 artificial steps each day before carrying them on foot to the adjacent town of Wick in Caithness to be sold.
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Thomas Telford first explored the area in 1786 and concluded that it would make a poor harbour. Captain David Brodie then took on the job and devised a plan to build the stairs for £8, creating a harbour that could accommodate about 14 herring boats.
The Whaligoe Steps zigzag down the Cliffside base, and the Harbour still stands today, encircled by 250-foot cliffs on all three sides. If you want to descend the steps, you must exercise special caution because they can be wet when you visit. Take the A99 along the coast road towards Lybster on your way to Wick in the Highlands. At Whaligoe, where the route crosses the A99, there is a bus stop. In his television programme Billy Connolly's World Tour, the actor paid a visit to the Steps.
