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Whaligoe Steps
All of Them

Steps In Winter First Whaligoe Index Section Two Further Down the Steps  Last Set     

The Steps From The Opposite Cliff  23 September 2004

Probably the strangest harbour in Caithness - built in a tiny, narrow creek at the foot of the cliff, it required a flight of flagstone steps - some 330 of them - to reach the bottom, from the fish curing station at the top.

The steps are originally mid-18th century, repaired early 19th century and again very recently.  In 1808, seven boats worked Whaligoe; by 1826 their number had risen to twenty four, but thereafter it declined rapidly.

Whaligoe - this small port was prospected by Thomas Telford in 1786 during his tour of the Northern Fishing Harbours for the British Fishing Society - his judgement of the place was that it was a "terrible spot"!  However undaunted, David Brodie expended the princely sum of £8 to cut the famous 330 steps; his confidence was rewarded in 1814 with the harbour supporting 14 herring boats.


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Section Two - Further Down The Steps       Bottom Of the Steps