Bagpipes is the kind of wave that separates the serious from the curious--a heavy slab that detonates on a shallow reef shelf along the remote Caithness coast.
Water temp
9°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
1/10
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Aug
Thurso Bay reef - A-frame alternative - Less intense than East
Scotland's world-class right - Cold water perfection - North Atlantic power
Caithness left slab - Backdoor barrels - Expert territory
Heavy Scottish slab - Remote Caithness coast - Freezing barrels
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty
Caithness' friendly beach - Beginner to intermediate - Near Thurso