The Devil's Pulpit

Welcome to one of Scotland’s most enigmatic natural wonders: Finnich Glen, more commonly known as The Devil's Pulpit. As you stand at the edge of this lush, green fissure in the earth, you are about to descend into a world that…

You are now at the entrance to the descent, facing the stairs known as Jacob's Ladder. Constructed around two centuries ago, these stone steps were hacked directly into the steep sandstone walls of the glen to allow Victorian…

Having reached the floor of the glen, you find yourself standing beside the Carnock Burn. The water before you truly does appear red, like a vein of the earth has been opened. …

As you continue around the bend in the stream, the namesake of this glen comes into view: The Devil’s Pulpit itself. This is a large, circular, toadstool-shaped rock formation that stands prominently in the middle of the river. …

Beyond the theological legends of the Devil, there is a darker, more human folklore attached to Finnich Glen—stories of the witch hunts that once plagued Scotland. It is whispered that in the days of frantic mobs and moral panic,…

Turning our attention away from the dark myths, let us consider the remarkable biodiversity of Finnich Glen. The walls are a vertical rainforest, home to species of moss and liverwort that are rare in the more exposed parts of…

For those who prefer not to brave the slippery descent of Jacob's Ladder, a path runs along the top of the glen, offering spectacular bird's-eye views. From this height, the Devil's Pulpit is hidden beneath a canopy of ancient…

As we ascend Jacob's Ladder and return to the sunlit world above, take a final look back into the depths of Finnich Glen. Whether you came for the photography, the Outlander connections, or the dark folklore, I hope you have felt…