Not too far from Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland is a moss-covered, 100ft deep gorge with an almost ruby-coloured river flowing through it. This is Finnich Glen, better known as the Devil’s Pulpit, and it’s one of the most photogenic spots in Scotland.
You might recognise it from TV’s Outlander (it’s the Liar’s Spring), or from the 2019 Detective Pikachu movie. But getting here takes a bit of work. There’s no signpost, no visitor centre, and no proper path. That’s part of what makes it special.
I’ve photographed Finnich Glen a number of times over the years, and the experience of standing at the bottom of that gorge with moss-covered walls towering above you and red-tinted water flowing past is something I’d recommend to anyone willing to make the effort.
That said, conditions at the site have got noticeably worse over time, and you need to go in with your eyes open. In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know: how to find the Devil’s Pulpit, where to park, what the descent is really like in 2026, safety considerations, and tips for getting great photos once you’re down there.
This is part of my series of photography location guides, which also covers places like Northern Ireland’s Dark Hedges and Iceland’s DC-3 Plane Wreck.
What is the Devil’s Pulpit?
The real name of this place is Finnich Glen. The “Devil’s Pulpit” actually refers to a specific rock formation in the gorge that looks like a church pulpit. The red-tinted sandstone and blood-coloured water apparently seemed more satanic than saintly to early visitors, and the name stuck.
These days, “Finnich Glen” and “the Devil’s Pulpit” are used interchangeably to describe the whole gorge. The water isn’t really red, by the way. It’s the red sandstone of the gorge bed that gives it that look, and it’s most pronounced after rainfall when the sediment gets stirred up.
The steep descent into the gorge is usually called Jacob’s Ladder or the Devil’s Steps, depending on who you ask. It’s a set of rough stone steps built around 1860, and “steps” is being generous at this point. More on that shortly.
Where is Finnich Glen?
Finnich Glen sits just south of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, on the A809 near the village of Croftamie. In terms of driving times, you’re looking at about 30 minutes north of Glasgow, 90 minutes west of Edinburgh, and 15 minutes south of Loch Lomond.
The GPS coordinates for the parking area are 56.0312, -4.4174. You can also find it on Google Maps here.
How to Get to the Devil’s Pulpit
Table of Contents:
By car
Driving is by far the easiest option, and realistically the only practical one for most visitors. If you’re renting a car for your Scotland trip, Discover Cars is what I’d recommend for comparing prices across rental companies.
By public transport
It is technically possible to get close to Finnich Glen by bus. The X10 service (operated by Midland Bluebird / McGill’s Scotland East) runs between Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station and Stirling, stopping in Killearn, which is about 2 miles from the glen. Services run roughly hourly on weekdays but are less frequent at weekends, so check the timetable carefully before committing to this option.
Alternatively, you could combine a bus ride with cycling. Several bus routes pass within easy cycling distance of Finnich Glen.
By tour
There are some guided tours that include the Devil’s Pulpit. This tour from Glasgow includes round-trip transport and a guide. That said, tour companies have come and gone over the years because the parking situation and the difficulty of the descent make it a challenging spot for group visits. If you find a tour, read recent reviews carefully before booking.
Where to Park for the Devil’s Pulpit
Parking is the single biggest headache at Finnich Glen, and this is something you need to be very aware of. There is very limited parking, and the situation has got more restrictive over time.
Currently, the only place you can legally park is a small layby on the A809, just south of where the road crosses the gorge. It fits two or three cars at most. Here’s a map showing the parking area (in red) and the approximate footpath route (in blue).
Do not park at the B834/A809 junction. This used to be a popular parking spot, but as of 2020 it’s designated for emergency vehicles only. Penalty notices are issued, and multiple readers have confirmed they received fines here.
The A809 is a main road with fast-moving traffic. In 2020, Stirling Council painted double yellow lines on the surrounding roads after dangerous parking on blind bends became a serious safety issue. Do not park on the road itself. Fines are issued, and more importantly, it’s dangerous.
If there’s no space in the layby when you arrive, there’s a larger car park about three miles south along the A809 known as Queen’s View (see it on Google Maps). It’s a long walk from there, but there are nice hiking trails in the area if you want to make a day of it.
My advice: arrive early in the morning, ideally mid-week. I’ve had the place to myself on weekday mornings, but weekends in summer can be a nightmare for parking. If the layby is full when you get there, it’s better to come back another time than to park somewhere dangerous.
Getting Down to the Devil’s Pulpit
Once you’ve parked, cross the road to the small gate that leads to the footpath. The gate is sometimes locked. If it is, you’ll need to climb over a low wall to reach the path. It’s not much of an obstacle.
The footpath follows the south side of the gorge through woodland. It’s easy enough to follow, but be very careful near the edge. There’s no fence, and it’s a sheer drop of around 100 feet to the gorge floor. Keep well back, especially if it’s wet.
After five to ten minutes of walking, you’ll reach the stone steps known as Jacob’s Ladder. This is where things get serious.
What the descent is really like (2026)
I’ll be honest: the descent has got significantly harder over the years. The stone staircase was built in the 1860s and has been deteriorating for a long time. Large sections have collapsed, and what remains is a steep, muddy scramble down roughly-placed stones.
As of 2025, there are no ropes or handrails to assist the descent. As you can see in some of my photos there have been ropes in the past (placed informally by visitors, not maintained by anyone), but recent visitors consistently report that they’re gone. Don’t count on them being there.
There’s a point partway down where the path appears to hit a dead end with a steep drop. It doesn’t. There’s a turn to the left. Several visitors have turned back here thinking there’s no way through, so keep going carefully and you’ll find the route.
The descent is roughly 10 metres (about 30 feet) and takes around 5 minutes going carefully. Going back up is actually easier than going down, as you can see your foot placements better.
Once you reach the bottom, I’d suggest turning left and heading upstream (west) along the gorge towards the small waterfalls. This is the most photogenic section.
Is the Devil’s Pulpit Dangerous?
Yes, this is a location where people have been seriously injured, and where mountain rescue has been called out on multiple occasions. I don’t say that to put you off visiting, but you need to take it seriously. Here are the specific risks:
The descent. Jacob’s Ladder is steep, slippery, and in poor condition. If you have mobility issues, a serious fear of heights, or are visiting with small children, this may not be the right destination. One wrong step on the wet stones could result in a bad fall.
Flash flooding. The water level in the gorge can rise very rapidly during rainfall. People have been trapped by rising water and had to be rescued. One group in 2023 nearly called emergency services after being swept along by the current following heavy rain. If it’s been raining or rain is forecast, do not go down into the gorge.
Falling debris. The gorge walls are eroding, and rocks and tree branches can fall without warning. Recent visitors have reported active erosion, falling trees, and barriers being extended. This is a worsening problem.
The gorge edge. There are no fences along the top of the gorge. The drop is around 100 feet, and the ground near the edge can be undercut or unstable. Stay well back.
Deep water. The water depth in the gorge is unpredictable. What looks shallow can suddenly become knee-deep or deeper. One reader reported an unexpected plunge into head-height water.
All that said, thousands of people visit safely every year. The key is to pick a dry day, watch the weather forecast, wear proper footwear, take your time on the descent, and don’t take risks you’re not comfortable with. If conditions don’t look right when you arrive, it’s fine to turn around.
What to Bring
You don’t need climbing equipment, but you do need to dress appropriately:
- Waterproof walking boots with good grip are essential. The descent is steep, muddy, and slippery even in dry weather. Trainers won’t cut it.
- Wellington boots or waders if you want to explore the gorge without getting your feet wet. Personally, I’ve taken my boots off and waded barefoot, but the water is cold and the stones are sharp in places.
- Water shoes are a good compromise. Several visitors recommend them for wading.
- A small towel and dry socks for afterwards.
- A waterproof jacket, because Scotland.
How Long Does a Visit Take?
The whole thing can be done in about 45 minutes to an hour: 10 minutes walking to the steps, 5 minutes descending, 15-20 minutes exploring and photographing the gorge, and the same to get back. Photographers will want to allow at least a couple of hours, especially if you’re waiting for the right light (or a crowd of people to move on) or experimenting with long exposures. Patience will reward you.
Photography Tips for the Devil’s Pulpit
From a photography perspective, this is one of the more interesting spots I’ve shot in Scotland. The combination of the narrow gorge walls, moss-covered rock, and red-tinted water creates a scene that looks almost otherworldly. Here’s what I’d recommend bringing and how to approach it.
Camera gear
You want the widest lens you have. The gorge walls are tall and close together, and a wide angle is the only way to capture the full scene. I shoot with a Canon EOS R5 and a 16-35mm f/4 lens, and even at 16mm it’s a tight squeeze to get everything in. On a crop sensor camera, you’d want something like a 10-18mm lens.
A tripod is a must. The gorge is dark. Those steep, narrow walls block most of the light, so even on a bright day you’re going to be shooting at slow shutter speeds. I use a Vanguard VEO tripod for location work like this. It’s light enough to carry down the scramble and sturdy enough for long exposures. You can find the Vanguard VEO range on Amazon here.
Bring a neutral density filter (6 to 10 stop) if you want to get that silky-smooth water effect on the small waterfalls upstream. And a polarising filter is worth having to cut reflections and make the red sandstone beneath the water more visible. I’ve written a full guide to ND filters if you want to understand what they do and how to choose one.
For more on the rest of my kit, take a look at my photography gear page, or my guide to choosing the best travel camera.
Composition tips
Once you’re at the bottom, wade or walk upstream (left from the base of Jacob’s Ladder) along the gorge until you reach the small waterfalls. This is the best section for photography.
Shoot as wide as possible and try to get the full height of the gorge walls into your frame. The contrast between the red water and green moss is what makes this location, so look for compositions that play up that colour contrast.
Keep an eye out for foreground elements. A well-placed dead log or textured rock can anchor your composition. If you have a willing companion, a person in the frame (ideally in something colourful) adds scale and makes the gorge look even more dramatic.
It’s also a very high-contrast scene, with dark shadow on the walls and bright sky above. Consider bracketing your exposures and blending them later. If you’re interested in improving your editing workflow, my online travel photography course covers this and a lot more.
Leave No Trace
I have to say something about this because it’s a real problem here. Finnich Glen sits on a working farm, and the landowner has been dealing with the consequences of its popularity for years. There are no bins, no toilets, and no one coming to clean up after visitors.
Recent visitors consistently report litter in the gorge: cans, bottles, wet wipes, nappies, and worse. It’s disheartening to see in a place this special.
Please take everything you bring with you when you leave. That includes food packaging, wet wipes (which don’t biodegrade), and anything else. If you can carry it in, you can carry it out. The landowner and the local mountain rescue team shouldn’t have to deal with other people’s rubbish.
Scottish Right to Roam
Finnich Glen is on private land, but under Scotland’s Land Reform Act, you have the right to access private land responsibly. That means you’re legally allowed to visit, but you’re expected to behave responsibly: stay on paths where they exist, don’t damage fences or gates, take your litter with you, and be considerate of the landowner and their livestock. You can read the full access code on the ScotWays website.
What to Do Near the Devil’s Pulpit
The Devil’s Pulpit itself is a fairly quick visit, so I’d recommend combining it with other things in the area.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is right on the doorstep, with hiking, boat trips, and some lovely villages. Take a look at our guide to the top things to do in Loch Lomond.
If you’re based in Glasgow, Finnich Glen makes an easy half-day trip. Check out our Glasgow and Loch Lomond 2-day itinerary or our guide to day trips from Glasgow for more ideas.
If you’re into Scotland’s filming locations, our Outlander filming locations guide covers all the major spots across the country, and Glen Coe (about 90 minutes further north) is another spectacular photography destination. I’ve written a full guide to Glen Coe as well.
Where to Stay Near the Devil’s Pulpit
If you want to spend a bit more time exploring the Loch Lomond area, here are some accommodation options near Finnich Glen.
The closest option is Finnich Cottages, a highly rated self-catering property. It does have a minimum stay (between 3 and 7 nights depending on the season), so it’s better for longer visits.
The nearby village of Drymen has a range of accommodation, including the well-reviewed Shandon Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast.
There are plenty more options around Loch Lomond and in Glasgow. Finnich Glen also works perfectly as a day trip from Edinburgh, which has a huge range of accommodation.
Further Reading
Here are some more guides that might be useful if you’re planning a trip to this part of Scotland.
- Our Outlander filming locations in Scotland guide
- A 2-day Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary
- Our guide to day trips from Glasgow
- A guide to visiting Glen Coe
- Our 2-day Edinburgh itinerary
- The 5-day North Coast 500 road trip itinerary
- Guides to one week in the UK and two weeks in the UK
- My photography location guides from around the world
- My online travel photography course
I hope this guide helps you plan your visit to the Devil’s Pulpit. If you’ve been recently and have an update on conditions, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Keeping this information current is really important for a location like this, and reader reports are invaluable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Devil’s Pulpit worth visiting?
Yes, if you’re prepared for the conditions. The gorge is one of the most photogenic spots in Scotland, and standing at the bottom with the moss-covered walls rising above you and red-tinted water flowing past is an unforgettable experience.
That said, it’s not for everyone. The descent is steep and difficult, parking is extremely limited, and the site has suffered from litter and overcrowding. Go on a weekday morning in decent weather and you’ll have a much better time than on a summer weekend.
How do I get to the Devil’s Pulpit from Glasgow?
It’s about a 30-minute drive north from Glasgow via the A809. Head through Bearsden and Milngavie towards Drymen. The parking layby is on the A809 just south of where it crosses Finnich Glen. GPS coordinates: 56.0312, -4.4174.
By bus, you can take the X10 from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station to Killearn (about 2 miles from the glen), but services are limited and you’ll need to walk the rest of the way along the road.
Can I visit the Devil’s Pulpit without going into the water?
You can get to the bottom of the gorge without getting wet, but your view will be limited to what you can see from the base of Jacob’s Ladder. To reach the waterfalls and the Devil’s Pulpit rock itself, you’ll need to wade upstream, and the water can be knee-deep or more in places.
Some visitors bring wellington boots or waders, which keeps your feet dry while still allowing you to explore. I’ve gone barefoot, which works but the water is cold and the stones can be sharp.
Is it safe to visit the Devil’s Pulpit in winter?
It can be visited in winter, and it’s actually a nicer experience in some ways because it’s so much quieter. However, the descent is more slippery when wet or icy, daylight hours are shorter, and the water level can be higher after autumn and winter rains. Go with extra caution, wear proper boots, and check the weather forecast before setting out.
How long does a visit to the Devil’s Pulpit take?
Most visitors spend about 45 minutes to an hour in total: 10 minutes walking to the steps, 5 minutes descending, 15-20 minutes at the gorge floor, and the same to get back. Photographers should allow a couple of hours. The gorge itself is fairly short, so this is more of a “thing to see” than a long hike.
Is it legal to visit the Devil’s Pulpit?
Yes. Finnich Glen is on private land, but under Scotland’s Land Reform Act you have the right to access private land responsibly. That means you can visit, but you should stay on paths, take your litter with you, and be considerate of the landowner and their livestock.
Julie Mungomery says
Hi Laurence,
Well, I did it! This scene had been on my bucket list for years. Thanks for your wonderful article & helpfulness.
In case others want an update. We went on 24th April 2025 so this is the current situation.
Managed to park in the layby. No other cars there at about 9.45am. We did see cars at the intersection mentioned and there was a sign up so it’s possibly ok now?????? The layby is the best option though.
There were no ropes there. We did actually go about half way down then my husband (who was carrying a bag with my waders plus my heavy tripod) thought it too dangerous as, especially, he thought that where it narrows, there was a sheer vertical drop. Not so, there’s a turn to the left. We went back up and continued to get closer to the glen. Coming back we spoke to a helpful man who said it was quite doable, plus a lot more people around. Yes, it’s a little difficult but going down slowly and carefully, perfectly fine. There’s plenty of room at the bottom to take off shoes etc. I was the only one with waders and they were a pain to carry but I was happy in them. Everyone else just took off their boots and socks and rolled up their trousers.
If you’re careful, it’s fine!
Walk to the left along the glen to the waterfalls. Most of my photos were from there. The water wasn’t moving as fast as it could be after more rain but this also made the hole thing a lot safer. Even with a ‘big stopper’ & polarising filter, there wasn’t a lot of movement in the water near the waterfall but it’s beautiful.
All the stories about the litter are completely true unfortunately. Do be prepared mentally. It’s very sad that people feel they can disregard someone’s property.
Do go! Laurence’s information is the best I’ve found.
thanks so much. I’m so very happy I went.
Kind regards,
Julie.
Laurence Norah says
Hey Julie,
That’s awesome! Glad to hear you made it out here and managed to both find parking and make your way down to the gorge floor safely. Also, thanks so much for providing an up to date trip report that is really helpful for other people looking to visit.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience! It’s really appreciated 🙂
Laurence
Julie says
Hello 🙂
I was wondering if you’ve been there recently?
I read in a post somewhere about a week ago that there had been an avalanche affecting the stairs.
Considering the parking nightmare, are there any tour companies you know of that schlep people there & maybe ‘guide’? We’ll be staying in Stirling in a couple of weeks’ time.
Thanks 🙂
Laurence Norah says
Hi Julie!
So the staircase has always been in very bad condition, to call it a staircase is honestly a bit of a stretch. It’s a steep muddy slope with some stones placed in it to make it easier, but it’s definitely not an easy descent. I haven’t been recently but looking at the photos posted recently it doesn’t look much worse than normal to be honest. I’m not aware of any tour companies that visit. I think there was one that included it as part of a tour but the issue with parking makes it especially tricky for a tour bus, even a smaller one, to be able to rely on parking. If you do decide to visit, my best advice is to go early, mid-week, and not during a holiday, and you should be fine. Every time I’ve visited we’ve pretty much had the place to ourselves, but that is definitely not everyone’s experience!
Enjoy your time in Scotland!
Laurence
Julie says
Thanks so much Laurence for your speedy reply.
I’ll have a look on google maps to see if I can find the layby you mention.
There is a lot of rain predicted over Easter so it might not be an option (we’ll be there a few days after Easter) as that would be crazy. I’ve wanted to go there for so long but it might just have to wait!
Kind regards,
Julie.
Laurence Norah says
It’s my pleasure, and for sure, please be careful. The water levels can rise very rapidly in the gorge and it can become dangerous quickly. Definitely worth erring on the side of caution!
Fingers crossed you are able to visit though 🙂
Thomas Miller says
is the devil’s pulpit area safe to visit in winter,
Laurence Norah says
Hi Thomas
The devil’s pulpit can be visited in winter. How safe it is really is a personal thing. The slope down to the gorge is quite steep, and the gorge itself is unfenced, so there are risks at any time of year. In addition, the river can flood quickly if there is rain upstream. So it’s really just a question of being aware of the risks and taking care when on site, at whatever time of year. I have visited in Winter and it’s generally a nicer experience as it’s so much quieter, but it is nice year round to be honest.
Enjoy!
Laurence
Thomas Miller says
thank you for your reply,will defo pay a visit in November,
Larry Ng says
I will visit Scotland in 3 weeks from today. I hope I can find this beautiful place follow your guides. Wish me luck.
Laurence Norah says
Good luck Larry, have a great time in Scotland 🙂
Larry Ng says
I was there today. Lucky I got a parking spot right at the entry. Following the path it was easy to get to the steps and to go down the water. Going down a little scary, going up is easier. But it’s so beautiful and worth to visit. Everybody be careful crossing the road. Look both ways carefully before crossing. Today a woman almost hit by the car. If she was slower 2 seconds she’d have been hit.
Laurence Norah says
Hey Larry,
Glad to hear you had a good visit to the Devil’s Pulpit. And for sure, that road can be quite dangerous, so it’s important to pay attention and be careful 🙂
Safe travels!
Laurence
Tam says
Our boss took us down this on Friday as a work night out after there was a heavy down pore,
You could not walk through most of it, instead, you got pushed down it with the speed and pressure of the water, 3 people for sucks, and at one point someone called 999 thinking were not going to get out
It was an experience but not recommended to go down the waterfall when it has been heavily raining.
we all managed to get out safely but were all banged up, cut heads, cuts, bruises etc, we were wearing wetsuits that made it a bit more bearable but we should have wore helmets and life vest, or put it off until the water levels were back down to normal lol
Laurence Norah says
Hi Tam
Yes, this sounds like quite the experience. I definitely wouldn’t recommend going down here after heavy rain unless you know what you are doing and have all the right equipment. And even then it’s still a risky proposition. Glad to hear you all got out ok!
Laurence
Nina says
Hi! I tried to find the public transport, but the First website doesn’t recognise the B9 route, and GoogleMaps also can’t show a public transport route. Are you sure there is a way to get there with a bus? If yes, what’s the bus stop’s name?
Best regards!
Nina
Laurence Norah says
Hi Nina,
You are correct, the B9 route seems to have gone away. The closest I can currently find is the X10 from Glasgow which goes to Killearn, which is 2 miles away. Not ideal, but I can’t find anything closer unfortunately 🙁 I generally recommend using traveline for route planning in Scotland, it can be more useful than Google 🙂
I hope you make it to the Devil’s Pulpit, safe travels!
Laurence
Jill Shepherd says
Hi. Love your blog. Would love to visit here in April. I walked the entire area on the google street view and CAN NOT find a gate (or the parking area though I used your map image above) and way you can get me actual gps or ggogle map coordinates? I don’t want to miss this one!
THANKS!
Laurence Norah says
Hi Jill!
Thanks very much! So I did the street view walk as you said and I agree, it’s not great. However, if you look at the satellite view for GPS co-ordinates 56.03123365356561, -4.417432817463017 (https://goo.gl/maps/XNkw1kd7cn6qWS3PA) then you will see some cars parked. The space is very small, there is really only room for three cars, so I advise arriving early in the day. The gate is across the road just near the parking. Some people park a little further up at the intersection of the A809 and B834 (if you look at the Google Maps satellite view you’ll see a bunch of cars). I advise against this – it used to be a good option, but it’s now clearly marked as Emergency Vehicles only, and a lot of people have had tickets as a result of parking here.
I hope this helps!
Laurence
Jill Shepherd says
I see it! Thanks so much!
Mona says
Thank you, the guide to getting there was so helpful as there is really no sign posting when you get there. Breathtakingly beautiful . Thank you
Laurence Norah says
My pleasure Mona, I’m delighted you found it useful and enjoyed the spot!
Evie Jesson says
Can you visit the glen without having to go into the water? We are 3 ladies in our late 60’s and want to visit, but other than walking boots, won’t have wet kit? Can you do some of it just on the rocks etc? How long to climb down, spend maybe half an hour and climb back up? Thanks.
Laurence Norah says
Hi Evie,
You can definitely visit without going in the water, but you should be aware that the canyon is fairly narrow and once you have made it down at the only access point, the only options are to go up and down stream – there aren’t much in the way of banks to walk along. So once you are down you will see a snapshot up and down, but not much beyond that. So I’d say if you weren’t going to go up and downstream you wouldn’t need more than 10-15 minutes at the base. Overall, you’re looking at around a 10 minute walk in, assuming you can find parking, 5 minutes to get down, depending on pace, up to 15 minutes in the canyon base and then the same to get out. So 45 minutes to an hour all in I’d say!
I hope this helps. Personally I only had walking boots too, but I just took them off to walk up stream. It’s worth doing if you don’t mind getting cold feet as the views are somewhat better and you can see the small waterfalls if you go up stream just a few metres. Do be careful of course and don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with. Also pay close attention to water levels as they can rise quickly.
Have a safe trip!
Laurence
Rani Dhanda says
Thanks for sharing detailed information about Finnich Glen, it’s very useful. Also, just to say you can not park at the B834 /A809 Junction, although it may look like a car parking area, there is marking on the ground stating ‘Emergency Vehicles Only’. Unfortunately I (and the owners of another 6 or so cars) learned the hard way and we got penalty charges notices. I suggest you amend your map showing car parking areas. Thanks.
Laurence Norah says
Hi Rani,
Thanks very much for this very useful feedback, and I’m sorry to hear you had a penalty notice. I will update the map right now. Can you still park near the entrance to the walk, at the other point on my map?
Thanks
Laurence
Saffy says
Sadly the Devil’s Pulpit has now been spoilt by inconsiderate and an unmanageable number of visitors who have no understanding of their responsibilities when visiting areas of natural beauty or just don’t care. In good weather the surrounding roads are nearly blocked with dangerous parking on blind bends, litter and broken glass everywhere, alcohol consumption leading to antisocial behaviour and since there are no toilet facilities nearby I will leave that to the imagination. So sad as it is an amazingly beautiful part of the areas natural heritage that was once greatly enjoyed by many people who behaved responsibly.
Laurence Norah says
Hi Saffy,
I am sorry to hear about this. I’ve never really understood why people would visit a beautiful spot like this and not treat it with respect 🙁 I have heard that there were plans to develop it with a proper car park and so on. I think that would lose part of the “hidden” charm, but I suspect by now that is hard to find.
Thanks for your comment,
Laurence
Linda says
I have had a knee replacement. I am 68yrs old. I would love to visit this place. Finnich Glen. I am worried about the risks. I can’t swim. Mobility is ok. But the height sounds difficult. I am not great if no safety ropes or something. HELP! .. Linda
Laurence Norah says
Hi Linda,
So it’s unlikely you would need to swim, but my concern would be around the descent into the gorge which is very steep and requires the use of a rope to pull yourself up and down, it’s definitely not an easy entrance. Of course, you can see into the gorge partly from above, but the main features are best observed from inside unfortunately.
The good news is that the gorge is due to have improvements made to it in the coming years, with a proper car park and visitor entrance being planned, so it’s possible that in coming years it will be more accessible!
Laurence
Dana says
Thank you so much for this – I used this article to convince my travel buddies to rent and car just so we could go here. This was one of the highlights of the trip.
Laurence Norah says
That is awesome – delighted you had a great time! Thanks for dropping by to let me know 😀
Jenn says
Such a helpful post to get us ready for our adventure to Finnich Glen and Devils Pulpit. Especially appreciated the parking tips. I am afraid of heights so going down I simply turned to the right side wall and made my way down one step at a time using the handy root handles until I got to the green rope. No problem. I took a pair of water shoes in my backpack so I could wade across which was great. The water was quite high. Thanks for this very helpful post
Laurence Norah says
Hi Jenn! Thanks so much for your positive feedback and I’m delighted you had a good time 🙂
Terry Dunlap says
Very informative article. I was just in Scotland, wish I would have found your site before I left. You can be sure I’m filing this away for my next trip. Thanks for articles like this!
Laurence Norah says
My pleasure Terry, and we hope to help you out on your future adventures!
John F Schroeder says
Laurence,
We plan to visit Scotland in September. Would you say that would be a good time of year?
We ant to avoid the tourist season. I really like your photos of the gorge. I hope we will be able to visit it. I will look at the rest of your information on best places to visit while in Scotland. I like to photograph landscapes, castles and nature mainly.
Thanks,
John
Laurence Norah says
Hi John!
September would be a good month. There’s a better chance of good weather than later in the year, but you avoid the rush of August. There will of course be some travellers around, as there are all year, but it shouldn’t be as busy.
Have a wonderful trip
Laurence
pawel says
Hi
Fantastic blog and thank you for all the advice you give here.
Can you tell me what time of year you visited the Devils Pulpit so that the moss is soo green, and what time of day so that the light is so nice?
I am planning to visit soon but dont want to miss the best light.
Thank you
Laurence Norah says
Hi Pawel – thanks very much! I visited in May for these photos, and it was the afternoon. It’s pretty green much of the time though, although if it’s a drier summer this might change.
Enjoy!
Laurence
Rhianna says
How long is the full walk you can do? and how long is there a path before it becomes mainly water. i hope to go monday as good weather but dont want to go in deep water
Laurence Norah says
Hi Rhianna
This is definitely not a long walk. From the parking area to the gorge entrance (Jacobs ladder) is no more than ten minutes. Then how far you can go in the gorge depends on how dry it is, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get more than a couple of hundred metres in either direction. So this is less of hike and more of a thing to see 🙂
Best
Laurence
Nadya says
Hi
I was here on 01.09.21, I just wanted to let you know that the rope is no longer there making the climb quite difficult and dangerous in parts.
You can walk along the top path about 5 minutes past the steps and down an embankment to the stream and wade back in that way, but even this will require good mobility as you have to scramble over a couple of fallen trees in the gorge. It’s still a magical and beautiful location, but the litter left by uncaring visitors is mounting up. Please if you visit leave only good wishes and footsteps, don’t spoil the magic for others.
Laurence Norah says
Thank you very much Nadya, I have updated that section of the article. It is very sad that people leave litter. When I first visited it was far less popular, but obviously that is no excuse. It’s not far to carry litter back to a car and away to a suitable location.
Marcel Dutu says
Great post! Used it as a guide when I visited last year! Even wrote my wee take on it as well! Thank you!
Laurence Norah says
Our pleasure Marcel, we’re pleased you enjoyed visiting 🙂
Rod Dalitz says
How about a proper map link, so I can check exactly where the Devil’s Pulpit is, and work out how to combine it with another trip?
Laurence Norah says
Hi Rod. Sure thing. If you enter “Devil’s Pulpit” into Google Maps, it will give you the location, but in case that doesn’t work here’s a link:
https://goo.gl/maps/AkYCQiykBQA2
James says
I come from Glasgow and have passed this area hundreds of times and never knew it existed. I now live in Australia, but I’ve returned for a holiday. Finnich Glen is stunning.
I did however go well equiped with my swimming shorts underneath my trousers along with my photography equipment.
The area can be muddy so I would suggest a old pair of shoes, a towel and a change of clothes.
This is not for anyone who is vertically challenged as the only way down is through a very steep and narrow stairway which is eroded.
I’m glad I went.
Laurence Norah says
That’s always the way! Pleased you had a good time and thanks for sharing your experience here 🙂 Would love to see your photos!
Monique P says
Hi!
Wow such great pucs, I love them!
At this moment I’m in Drymen and want to visit this place tomorrow!
About how many steps down do we have to take?
Kind regards, Monique
Laurence Norah says
Hey Monique, and thanks! I’d say it’s about ten metres down, so maybe 30 – 40 steps.
I could be wrong though, so if you could count them and let me know that would be appreciated!
Monique P says
Hi Laurence,
What a quick reply, thanks!
Ten meters is not that much, I can do that 😉
We got a deal, I’ll inform you about the number of steps!
Monique P says
Hi Laurence,
We were SO glad this morning that we could park right in front of the entrance! Unfortunately it had rained all night and still did this morning 🙁 It was VERY muddy and slippery! We walked at the edge of the gorge because the path was like a swamp, but we couldn’t reach the stairs to the Devil’s Pulpit! So sorry I could not count the number of steps! We had a small view on the water and gorge, but not where we came for…. There were lots and lots of branches in the water, therefore no good view on the water. Hope other people have more luck with the weather! Enjoy your time over there!
Laurence Norah says
Hey Monique!
Ah, that is Scotland for you, you can never quite tell what the weather is going to be. Sorry to hear that, but I’m pleased that at least you saw the gorge. No worries on the steps, I’ll just have to pop up there myself soon and count 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Laurence
Monique P says
Thanks!
Israel says
It is a great information, that´s really nice of you.
Katie says
Thanks for the information. I am going to Scotland in September October and would love to go there and take photos. Thanks also for answering the question about time. I will have your kids with me who I may have to leave with hubby so good to know about half an hour should cover it. Not too long to keep them amused. I love your photos and travel guides. Very useful
Laurence Norah says
Thanks Katie! It’s a really beautiful place, worth the stop for sure!
john says
thanks
Laurence Norah says
My pleasure – enjoy your visit 🙂
Anne Marie Harriet says
I am someone who stays about 8 miles away and drives on this route regularly.. Today was the worst I have witnessed for cars and being very irresponsible too. The red area on the map is only a small plot and it is also access to someone’s farm land. People are parking all along the B834. It is actually quite a busy route for vehicles travelling to other areas of interest and it is dangerous as it is a 60 mph speed limit and with cars parked on the actual carriageway, cars in front of and behind me all had to drive up on the embankment on the side of the road with cars coming in the opposite direction then people walking on the road. The road has a few twists and turns too.
To make it safer for everyone there is a massive car park along the A809 with plenty of parking and amazing views. (Maybe if you could add it to your map?)
This is my fastest route for my journey and essential for a lot of others, in all sorts of vehicles. Who is going to pay for repairs when cars get damaged? Who is responsible if someone gets knocked down?
People should act responsibly in their options for their entire outing and not just worry about the proper footwear to wear.
Laurence Norah says
Hi Anne Marie – thanks for the feedback! Do you mean the car park on the A809 known as Queen’s View? I’ve added it to the post, but it’s three miles south of the Devil’s Pulpit and so about an hours walk along the road, which doesn’t seem that practical for most visitors. Happy to be corrected if there’s a closer option?
Marek says
Hi everyone. Does anybody know if its possible to leave a bike somewhere nearby before exploring the gorge?
Laurence Norah says
You could leave a bike nearby but there isn’t a bike parking space, so you’d either want to find something to secure it to, or find somewhere to hide it 🙂
Edward Dock says
Having just returned from the Devils Pulpit can I also advise extra care be taken when going to the waterfall section of the gorge as some parts though seemingly shallow are actually quite deep in certain spots and a misplaced step can have you in head hight water very quickly. As I can testify at the moment as I’m currently soaked (clothes, backpack,wallet and phone. sheesh 🙂
Laurence Norah says
Hey Edward! Well, that does sound like quite the (mis)adventure. Sorry to hear that, hopefully nothing too damaged! And yes, good advice, it’s definitely a place to watch your step. Thanks for stopping by!
Karen Gibbs says
This place is amazing as well as your photos. We will be staying near Loch Lomond and plan to visit Devils Pulpit.
In early April. Do we need permission from anyone to take the hike before we start? Coming from the US I don’t want to be considered trespassing.
Laurence Norah says
Thanks Karen – it is a special place for sure! You won’t need any special permission as far as I am aware. Whilst I believe that it is on private land, under the Scottish Land reform act, you are still allowed to access private land as long as you behave responsibly. You can see the guidelines here: https://www.scotways.com/faq/law-on-statutory-access-rights
So there’s not really an issue of trespass as you have in the US 🙂
Jennifer Abdulla says
I am in the middle of planning my trip to Scotland. Taking my best friend as her birthday gift for a milestone birthday. We are both hikers and I’m also a professional photographer. This blog post is wonderful and your pictures are beautiful and inspiring, I have added this to my list of places to surprise her. Thank you for the wonderful advice, and like the previous comment said, thanks for the warnings. I live in Arizona where we can get flash floods within minutes, so I am all too familiar with those dangers.. I hope the weather in Scotland is favorable at the beginning of May!
Laurence Norah says
Hey Jennifer – my pleasure! It’s a wonderful place to visit and photograph, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time! May is actually one my favourite months to travel in Scotland, it’s usually the right balance of warmth and long days, with fewer tourists than the summer months 🙂
Serena says
How long do you think the whole active to the devils pulpit took from parking to getting back in your car?
Laurence Norah says
I would say it could be easily done in half an hour, although it depends how many photos you end up taking of course!
Terry says
Do you see the face in the rock on photo #9 (count includes maps too)? I especially like that picture. What a magical place!
Laurence Norah says
Do you mean at the top left? I think someone said that on Facebook too! It is quite face-like indeed 🙂 And yes, it’s a really magic place 😀
Ryan Biddulph says
Hi Laurence.
These photos are inspired.
How green.
Good advice too on potential safety issues. I have lived in remote areas where the waters can rise in minutes. Similar streams, and if a torrential downpour happens upstream you better be ready to bounce if the torrent flows down stream, to your location.
Thanks for the fabulous share and keep up the excellent work here.
Ryan
PS…..I found you via the 27 travel blogging mistakes round up, where we were both featured.
Laurence says
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for dropping by, and for your kind words! For sure, people have definitely gotten in trouble down here when not reading the signs, so I thought it best to mention it! You can easily get lost in the photography moment 😉
Thanks for connecting!