The Devil’s Pulpit - Scotland Everything you need to know before you visit.
Did you know that less than an hour away from Glasgow there is a beautiful moss-covered, 70ft deep gorge, through which ruby coloured water flows? This magical location is known as the Devil’s Pulpit. It’s not very well signposted, however, if you make the effort, it is a hugely rewarding spot for both photography and nature lovers.
The gorge is also known for its small role in the series Outlander as the site of Liar’s Spring.
The Legend and Folklore of The Devil’s Pulpit
The real name of the gorge is Finnich Glen, although, we much prefer the name ‘The Devil’s Pulpit’. The name originated from the mushroom-shaped rock that pokes above the rushing stream. Legend says that the rock is where the Devil stood to address his followers, all the while the blood-red water splashed around his feet. There are also tales of Druids holding secret meetings here hidden from sight within the shadows of the gorge’s looming walls, and others tell stories of witches using the rock as a place to cast spells away from prying eyes.
Whilst there are many myths and legends surrounding the gorge, people have said that the name simply originated from the rock resembling a church steeple and the red water looking more devilish than holy, but I can’t see the church steeple resemblance myself. I’m much more of a dreamer so I’d like to think there was once magical happenings within in these parts.
What Makes the Water Appear Red (and When it’s Brightest)
Just imagine the Devil himself standing in a stream, the water rushing around his feet. Now, imagine the water is the colour of blood, and you’ll understand the sinister-looking scene that’s behind the name “the Devil’s Pulpit.” But, as enduring as the legend is, and no matter how much it’s pushed by locals to the tourists, the Devil’s toes did not turn the water to blood, in fact, it is caused by red sandstone found in the streambed. However, this doesn’t make the gorge feel any less otherwordly. As you climb down the slippery steps (of course, referred to at the Devil’s Steps) and enter the realm of verdant moss-covered rocks and ruby-toned water, you uncover an enchanting world, where thin beams of sunlight shine through like a spotlight on the gurgling stream.
The red waters have become a popular spot for photographers, who say the stream is at its most colourful after heavy rainfall.
How to get to The Devil’s Pulpit?
Finnich Glen/The Devil’s Pulpit is about a fifteen-minute drive south of Loch Lomond, ninety minutes drive west of Edinburgh and thirty minutes drive north of Glasgow. However, if you’re driving to The Devil’s Pulpit it is worth bearing in mind that there is very limited parking nearby and neither the glen nor the parking is signposted, so you will want to read the following instructions below to make sure you park in the best spot.
There used to be two locations where it was safe to park, however, like many beauty spots around the world, The Devil’s Pulpit has become a victim of its own success, which has led to issues around too many visitors and not enough parking. As of July 2020, the local council started to restrict parking in the area painting double yellow lines on the roads surrounding the Glen in order to stop people from parking on the road, as it was causing a serious hazard to other road users. Fines are issued for non-compliance, and it is dangerous to park where you shouldn’t. Prior to 2020, you could park a little further north at the junction of B834 (the point on the map below marked ‘Finnich Glen’), however, this has been now been designated for emergency vehicle use only and commenters have reported that penalty notices are issued if you park here, so be careful and DO NOT park there!
Currently, the only parking available is a small parking area on the A809 next to the footpath just south of where the A809 crosses the glen itself (marked orange on the map). However, there is only room to fit two or three cars here. Please be aware that the A809 is the main road with a lot of traffic, so please park considerately, don’t park in the actual road, only park off the road in the parking spots. If there is no parking here, then there is the option to park on a larger parking lot about three miles south along the A809 known as the Queen's View & The Whangie Car Park. This obviously is much longer of a walk to The Devils Pulpit, but there are lots of nice hiking trails in this area too so you could easily make a day of it.
Once you’ve found a parking spot it’s now time to get down to The Devil’s Pulpit. There is a little gate you can get through to the footpath (marked blue on the map above), and then a path to follow which winds along the gorge. Note that various reports from different articles on the web show that the gate from the road to the footpath can sometimes be locked, in which case you might have to climb the wall to get to the start of the footpath. It’s a pretty low wall, so not too much of a challenge.
Once you are on the footpath you will see a sign ‘exploring Finnich Glen’ (as shown in the picture), the path then follows the south side of the gorge through the forest. It’s pretty easy to follow, but do be careful as there is no fence and the fall down into the gorge is quite a distance.
You will need to walk around five to ten minutes before you come to some stone steps going down into the gorge, known as “Jacob’s Ladder” or “the Devil’s Steps’ (depending on who you talk to). The steps are very steep and in very poor condition. You may find other blogs and articles saying that there are ropes you could use to help yourself as you go down and up the stone staircase, however, as of 2021 these are not currently there. Either way, this is a very steep and slippery staircase so you will want good walking shoes and to take your time when descending or climbing the stairs.
Once you are at the bottom of the staircase if you turn left and head westwards along the gorge to the waterfalls you see the mushroom-shaped rock referred to as The Devil’s Pulpit, this is the most photogenic part of the route.
Know Before You Go
It is recommended to visit The Devil’s Pulpit early in the morning, especially after rainfall, as this is when the water will be at its most colourful. The Devil’s Pulpit is no secret, meaning that during peak seasons and on weekends it can get very busy making it harder to park and of course, more crowded. Therefore, visiting in the morning or on a rainy day you might find the glen to be more peaceful, but keep in mind that if you are visiting after rainfall the footpath, and especially the stone staircase, will be very slippery and dangerous.
Lastly, if you do decide to adventure out to this magical place please take everything you brought with you back home! Whilst we were amazed by the beauty of The Devil’s Pulpit, we were outraged by the amount of litter, dirty clothes and god knows what else left behind. So if you do visit, be respectful and take care of our planet earth.
Final points to take away;
Very limited parking - arrive early or try visit during the week
Slippery and dangerous footing - good walking shoes and sensible clothing are needed
There are no litter bins - take all little home with you, leave nothing but footprints
The water is at its most colourful after heavy rainfall
