Scotland is known for its majestic woodlands that look like they’ve come straight out of a storybook. The Devil’s Pulpit, however, takes on a more sinister vibe when it comes to folklore. Instead of dreaming of gnomes and fairies across the lush greenery, Finnich Glen is a crimson-colored river that gushes through twisted and sinister-looking rock formations fit for the Devil himself.
Historically, the Devil’s Pulpit was a name used for the mushroom-like rock in the middle of the stream. According to folklore, it was where the Devil stood to address his followers. Other old tales indicate that it was also a site for druids to carry out their rituals. Later on, when witches came into the picture, it has been said that the rock was a site for their execution as well. Either way it was likely the ominous red coloring of the stream was the cause for all these dark folklore stories to come about. In modern times, the whole of Finnich Glen is referred to as the Devil’s Pulpit.
You may wonder why exactly is the stream colored in such a way, besides giving off some natural special effects straight out of a horror house, there’s nothing sinister at all behind the color of the stream. In fact, the crimson waters are due to red sandstone that lies underneath the stream. A pretty natural occurrence that could happen anywhere, but the locals have seemed to capitalize on the horror factor behind the Devil’s Pulpit. Slippery rocks that cascade down into the water are also aptly named the Devil’s Steps.
Blessed with this natural forming crimson waters and amazing lighting to boot, it’s no wonder the Devil’s Pulpit may have caught the attention of mainstream media as well. Fans of the series Outlander would find this location looking oddly familiar. That’s because the gorge was used as the site for the Liar’s Springs, as seen on the series.
The Devil’s Pulpit where they filmed the Channing Tatum film ‘Eagle’. The red color comes from the sandstone in the walls. Protip: the color is more pronounced after its been raining.
Photo by Daniel Burton
Photo by https://hottubbreakaway.co.uk
The overall view of the Devil’s Pulpit is extremely breathtaking despite its eerie vibe. The descent down into the gorge is pretty tricky and slippery so do practice caution if you’re up for a visit to see the sinister crimson waters yourself. As you make your way following the gorge, you’ll easily be able to find your way down to the Devil’s Pulpit once you come across a downward slope fitted with a rope, ready for you to make your descent.
Coordinates: 56.0331, -4.4159