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.
Bagpipes surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to INV, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Europe is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Europe — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Bagpipes trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (340°)
- Direction range
- 310° - 360°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Bagpipes?
Bagpipes is a slab in Caithness, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Bagpipes?
Bagpipes picks up swell from the NW round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NNW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Bagpipes?
A SSW wind is dead offshore at Bagpipes, and anything from the SSE round to the WSW keeps it clean. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Bagpipes?
Bagpipes is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Bagpipes?
The most reliable run of swell at Bagpipes comes Sep to Mar. There's a second window in Apr to May and Aug too.
How cold is the water at Bagpipes?
The water at Bagpipes averages around 9°C, so you'll want a 6/5mm with boots, gloves and a hood. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Bagpipes good for beginners?
No. As a slab, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Extremely heavy slab. Very shallow reef. Powerful holddowns in freezing water. Remote.
How do I get to Bagpipes?
The nearest airport on our list is INV, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Bagpipes?
The closest breaks we track are Thurso East (1.2 km), Murkle (3.1 km) and Brimms Ness Bowl (7.7 km), handy when Bagpipes isn't working. We track 8 spots around Caithness in total.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Aug
Getting There
Nearby Spots
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
Sandside Bay
Quality left by harbour - Nuclear neighbour - Unique risk assessment
Plan a trip around Bagpipes
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.