Bagpipes
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.
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Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
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Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (340°)
- Direction range
- 310° - 360°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Offshore range
- 160° - 240°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
9°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
1/10
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Aug
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Thurso Reef
Thurso Bay reef - A-frame alternative - Less intense than East
Thurso East
Scotland's world-class right - Cold water perfection - North Atlantic power
Murkle
Caithness left slab - Backdoor barrels - Expert territory
Brimms Ness Bowl
Heavy Scottish slab - Remote Caithness coast - Freezing barrels
Brimms Ness Point
Caithness left reef - Cliff access - Remote and empty
Dunnet Bay
Caithness' friendly beach - Beginner to intermediate - Near Thurso