The Devil's Pulpit
The Devil's Pulpit
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- kurgatronBathgate, United Kingdom221 contributionsDevils PulpitGreat place to visit on a dry day. Limited parking, short walk through the woods lead to a crooked stone stairway that twists down toward the river and embankment. Great spot for a picnic with friends or romantic.Visited August 2023Travelled soloWritten 6 January 2024
- FizzandPopLondon, United Kingdom106 contributionsAs scary as it was exhilarating!Visited here on a sunny day but after a week of rain. It was a magical experience but also very scary in getting down to the water. There were no ropes to hold onto as mentioned in other reviews and the steps were obviously very slippery given how much debris and water flowing down them. We took the climb very slowly and even sat on our bums to get down on the bigger drops. The water was very high and fast flowing at the bottom (which we fully expected it to be) so couldn’t get any further round the gorge than what we saw at the bottom of the steps. Still glad we went but when you go just take it slow and double check your footings!Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 13 February 2024
- Fordy40Shrewsbury, United Kingdom696 contributionsUnique and worth itTrying to actually find this was a hurdle, don’t take the path across the farmers fields, walk along the main road, over the bridge then over the stile. About 1000 yards you will see a set of stones with a gap. You need to climb down them, they are steep and can get slippy till you reach the bottom. Amazing experience to see red water, it can get busy so go early. Wear a jacket as it will be cold and take a towel for your feet.Visited September 2023Travelled soloWritten 22 February 2024
- Mark - Bobbi HNashua, New Hampshire49 contributionsLots of Potential, Great Views, Challenging ConditionsWe were so looking forward to visiting this site based on several reviews and pictures. Unfortunately, reality crushed our anticipation. First of all, there is virtually no parking other than one tiny muddy lot and wherever you can sort of legally pull off on the (again) muddy shoulder nearby. I get that this is Scotland, and you need to be prepared for all manner of weather. However, if you go to this site and want to actually hike into it, make sure and bring hiking boots and a second pair of pants and jacket that you can change out of, at a minimum. It's just muddy trails even to walk in. Second, there is a great amount of trash strewn about. It looks like the worst of tourism run amuck and no care given to the site whatsoever. More on that shortly. Really sad. Third, hiking down into this site is legit dangerous. Not only is it wet and slippery, but at least portions of the stairs have also collapsed, making this a treacherous climb in and out. On the (wise) advise of my wife, I decided to abandon my hike partially in and instead relegated my views and took pictures from the trails above. This is a beautiful spot but sorely in need of management and caretaking to prevent conditions from going further downhill.Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 20 May 2024
- Emeline C14 contributionsStunning Glen and breathtaking coloursWhat an amazing experience. Went in the morning and it wasn't too busy. The step down are a bit tricky and a bit slippy but we'll worth the climb down. I walked up the river in my bare feet and shorts. There are a few deep pools so be careful and try to stick to the edge. I would recommend a change of footwear and a towel. Alot of different nationalities and everyone was offering assistance to each other. The sun was shining and the colours were breathtaking. Highly recommend.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 14 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
84 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
15
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
12
MaikenMJ
Skive, Denmark13 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
Definitely get there when there’s quite a bit of time till dark, it’s in the middle of nowhere and we had to walk 2,5 km to the nearest city to catch a bus back and truly nearly got hit by a car a few times as there are no street lights the first approx. 2 km. It was too dark for us to find out how to get into the glen, as there were hardly any signs. There’s a neat pub in the city of Killearn from where the bus leaves though. If we had gotten there earlier we would probably have liked it more, so go early or in summer. Or rent a car. But it looked cool from what we saw.
Written 12 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy & Maz
Birmingham, UK91 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
We found details of this as a hidden gem to visit whilst we were in the area. We arrived around 10am and parked where we thought was an appropriate parking place- a makeshift car parking area near the main road junction.
There is no signage to direct you to the Devils Pulpit and in fact it appears to be fenced off with areas of fencing that have been broken down to gain access. We followed a well worn path and hoped for the best. Gut instinct took us down into the gorge, you need to be part mountain goat, very brave and have very good agility to make it down to the bottom. Once down there, it is STUNNING, Mother Nature at her finest, a beautiful gorge with the water running red due to the peat content… well worth the scramble.
HOWEVER, there are piles of discarded clothing and rubbish left by selfish individuals who have no respect for their surroundings or of others, I have no clue who they think was going to clean up after them GRRRRRRR!
We crossed the water and climbed back up the opposite side, when walking across the top of the gorge we came across the official set of ‘steps’ leading down to the gorge, higher upstream than we had been. Now please, when I say steps…..these are now just lumps of stones that have been washed out of place and are no safer than scrambling down the bank, in fact more climbing was required to get back up these, but if you can manage it then it’s worth the effort!
Reading past reviews since our visit I am not even sure that this place is officially ‘open’ or not! It’s beautiful but dangerous and you need to be suitably prepared for muddy, slippery ground underfoot!
There is no signage to direct you to the Devils Pulpit and in fact it appears to be fenced off with areas of fencing that have been broken down to gain access. We followed a well worn path and hoped for the best. Gut instinct took us down into the gorge, you need to be part mountain goat, very brave and have very good agility to make it down to the bottom. Once down there, it is STUNNING, Mother Nature at her finest, a beautiful gorge with the water running red due to the peat content… well worth the scramble.
HOWEVER, there are piles of discarded clothing and rubbish left by selfish individuals who have no respect for their surroundings or of others, I have no clue who they think was going to clean up after them GRRRRRRR!
We crossed the water and climbed back up the opposite side, when walking across the top of the gorge we came across the official set of ‘steps’ leading down to the gorge, higher upstream than we had been. Now please, when I say steps…..these are now just lumps of stones that have been washed out of place and are no safer than scrambling down the bank, in fact more climbing was required to get back up these, but if you can manage it then it’s worth the effort!
Reading past reviews since our visit I am not even sure that this place is officially ‘open’ or not! It’s beautiful but dangerous and you need to be suitably prepared for muddy, slippery ground underfoot!
Written 26 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shayne M
Aberdeen, UK224 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
What a dive. A cess pit full of jobbies and litter.
Litter strewn all over the place by ignorant neds and tourists thinking they can treat Scotland's countryside like a junkyard.
Scunnered the local authority allows it to stay in this condition and appalled they let it get so bad in the first place.
Loose steps, rubbish everywhere and very limited parking which is pretty much a mud pit too.
What an absolute hole of a place...literally.
Litter strewn all over the place by ignorant neds and tourists thinking they can treat Scotland's countryside like a junkyard.
Scunnered the local authority allows it to stay in this condition and appalled they let it get so bad in the first place.
Loose steps, rubbish everywhere and very limited parking which is pretty much a mud pit too.
What an absolute hole of a place...literally.
Written 29 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynsey C
48 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This is a lovely spot to explore and a great adventure with active dogs and kids alike. There are a few access points, all of which are high, steep and not entirely 'stable'. We choose a route down a mud hill, grabbing tree trunks as we went, for balance. Then it was a rocky climb down to the water. We knew there were steps but it turns out, we had accessed the place from the field (so were on the wrong side of the water for the steps). When out of the water and climbed up a rocky hill the other side and walked along a path which took us to the steps. My advice would be to follow signs from car park, walk down the road and over the bridge and through the gap in the wall. If you leave the carpark and walk through the field, you'll be on the wrong side for the steps like we were, although it can still be accessed but it's a bit risky.
The only downside was that there's limited parking in a tiny car park. Any parking beyond that, is at the side of the road which Stirlingshire council took great delight in ticketing all the cars at £40 a time.
The only downside was that there's limited parking in a tiny car park. Any parking beyond that, is at the side of the road which Stirlingshire council took great delight in ticketing all the cars at £40 a time.
Written 28 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mitch7511
Jedburgh, UK5 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
What a terrible trip. If you’re forced to go here by your girlfriend because she saw it on Tik Tok then refuse. Only very few parking spaces so had to park about 20 minutes away at the side of the road and walk along the busy road to get to the track, which is also impossible to find. Then when you finally find where you’re going you’ve got to hold a manky rope so you don’t fall down the steep and slippery steps to get down to the waterfalls, which weren’t even that impressive. The water was ice cold and the place was packed with other people that looked just as disappointed! Absolutely nothing special. To top it all off after getting our feet soaking wet stepping in marshland trying to leave the place I got a parking ticket for where I’d parked! Would I recommend this trip during COVID? Absolutely not! Would I recommend this trip after COVID? I’d rather a day trip to Chernobyl.
Written 30 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard W
Leicester, UK15 contributions
Sept 2020
The place itself is definitely worth seeing, one of many beautiful spots in Scotland that people come to see. It was also very popular with tourists with the main issue being parking! They have recently stopped people parking nearby due to safety which causes you to try and find somewhere along a main road to try and get to it. We ended up taking the long way round through some fields to try and stay safe.
I think if it's advertised as an attraction then facilities need to be provided somewhere nearby even if incorporating a walk as presently it's just not safe
It's also worth noting that the climb down to it isn't easy, so not for the faint hearted
I think if it's advertised as an attraction then facilities need to be provided somewhere nearby even if incorporating a walk as presently it's just not safe
It's also worth noting that the climb down to it isn't easy, so not for the faint hearted
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aisha & Saky
Rochdale, UK6 contributions
Aug 2021
Lovely quirky place to go to. Never seen anything like this in my life. Very different. Take suitable shoes as it is quiet slippery. We had wellies on but still got wet i would recommend aqua shoes which are more suitable and wear a pair of shorts and t-shirt as you will get wet further you go. At the back of the pulpit there are two water falls. Unfortunately i did not bring my swimming gear otherwise would have carried on with walking and swimming to see what was further at some points water can come up to your chest depending on how tall you are.
Written 29 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CabelloBanana
Dundee, UK65 contributions
May 2020 • Family
We went as a group, 4 adults and 2 kids (aged 6 and 7) and it was a great experience. If you're not brave enough to go down Jacobs ladder or of you have young kids, you can head further down the creek where it is much easier to access.
Take a towel, wet shoes and a spare set of clothes. We had intended just to paddle but it was so much fun making our way up the ravine that we ended up waist deep at times. There are deep water pools further up the creek if you want to swim.
The kids had a fantastic time and we will definitely go back. Scenery was spectacular.
Take a towel, wet shoes and a spare set of clothes. We had intended just to paddle but it was so much fun making our way up the ravine that we ended up waist deep at times. There are deep water pools further up the creek if you want to swim.
The kids had a fantastic time and we will definitely go back. Scenery was spectacular.
Written 30 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary L
Peterborough, UK179 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
I had the most enchanting experience at Devil's Pulpit during an early morning dip with friends. The serenity of this place is truly otherworldly. The moment I arrived, I was captivated by the mystical atmosphere created by the surrounding lush greenery and the whispering waters of the river.
Taking a dip in the Devil's Pool as the sun began to rise was a surreal experience. The water was brisk, invigorating, and crystal clear. It felt like a secret haven hidden away from the world, with the soft glow of dawn casting a magical spell over everything.
The natural beauty here is awe-inspiring, and the rock formations add an extra layer of intrigue to the scenery. It's no wonder this place is steeped in legends and folklore.
Getting here early is key to avoiding crowds and truly immersing yourself in the enchantment. If you're seeking a unique and unforgettable adventure in Scotland, Devil's Pulpit is an absolute must-visit. An early morning dip here is a memory I'll cherish forever.
Taking a dip in the Devil's Pool as the sun began to rise was a surreal experience. The water was brisk, invigorating, and crystal clear. It felt like a secret haven hidden away from the world, with the soft glow of dawn casting a magical spell over everything.
The natural beauty here is awe-inspiring, and the rock formations add an extra layer of intrigue to the scenery. It's no wonder this place is steeped in legends and folklore.
Getting here early is key to avoiding crowds and truly immersing yourself in the enchantment. If you're seeking a unique and unforgettable adventure in Scotland, Devil's Pulpit is an absolute must-visit. An early morning dip here is a memory I'll cherish forever.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan M
Glasgow, UK307 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We arrived here in the evening and got a space to park at on the side of the road but not on the double lines. There is a very small car park but think unless you were very early in the morning or in the evening you wouldn’t get a space.
The stairs down to it is very dangerous but we went a different way over an empty field which was much easier.
Make sure you are wearing suitable shoes for the water as your feet and up to your knees will get wet.
It is very nice and my children enjoyed playing in the water as it was a very hot evening.
Although its a shame with the amount of rubbish people leave behind including clothes. It really spoils a lovely area.
The stairs down to it is very dangerous but we went a different way over an empty field which was much easier.
Make sure you are wearing suitable shoes for the water as your feet and up to your knees will get wet.
It is very nice and my children enjoyed playing in the water as it was a very hot evening.
Although its a shame with the amount of rubbish people leave behind including clothes. It really spoils a lovely area.
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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