The 'blood-red' color of the water is caused by iron oxide leaching from the surrounding Old Red Sandstone.
The location served as a filming site for the 'Liar's Spring' scene in the Outlander series.
The name 'Devil's Pulpit' refers to the large, mushroom-shaped rock formation sitting in the middle of the stream.
Local folklore suggests the glen was used as a secret meeting place for Covenanters and Druids.
The gorge is approximately 70 feet deep from the rim to the riverbed.
The site is technically a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), though it lacks formal visitor facilities.
The Devil's Pulpit, known locally as Finnich Glen, is a natural gorge near the village of Killearn, featuring a distinctively red-tinted stream. Visitors access the riverbed via a steep, narrow stone staircase known as the Jacob's Ladder. The high sandstone walls are covered in moss and ferns, creating a subterranean atmosphere. The water appears blood-red due to the red sandstone bedrock underlying the stream. It has gained notoriety as a filming location for the television series Outlander. The gorge creates a unique microclimate that remains cool and humid year-round. It is not an official, maintained park, meaning there is no managed infrastructure or security. High, sheer cliffs frame the central rock formation that resembles a pulpit. The site requires navigating uneven terrain, slick mud, and water wading.
From the base of the gorge looking up at the mushroom-shaped rock formation with the waterfall in the background.
Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with excellent grip as the stairs and rocks are perpetually slick.
Bring a trekking pole for stability when descending the steep, eroded stone staircase.
Avoid visiting after heavy rainfall, as the gorge is prone to flash flooding and rising water levels.
Do not attempt the descent during or immediately following heavy rain due to extreme slipping hazards and flood risk.
Practice 'Leave No Trace' principles; pack out all litter as there are no bins on site.
