Brimms Ness (Crosskirk)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Brimms Ness (also known as Graveyards) is an exposed, cold-water reef break on Scotland’s North Coast near Thurso. The lineup is made up of several distinct reef sections (The Point, The Bowl, and The Cove), and the waves are typically heavy, fast, and hollow—qualities that suit high-performance surfers. The spot works best with a northwest swell, producing powerful surf on shallow rock shelves. While it can be active year-round, the most emphasized best month is February, and winter conditions are noted for the most consistent and powerful swell. Ride experiences vary by peak: The Bowl is described as offering very intense hollow right-hand barrels, while the Point can produce longer, wall-oriented rights. Wind conditions are highlighted as south-offshore: south (and south/southeast) winds are described as offshore and capable of grooming the swell. Wind stats for the best month point to a split between clean and blown conditions (47% blown, 43% clean), so riders should still expect variability even in favorable wind regimes. Safety-wise, the beach is rocky/reef with hazards including sharp rocks, submerged boulders, kelp, and strong currents/tidal surges around the point. Access involves a long, exposed walk and limited parking at a farmyard, with rules emphasizing strict lineup priority and careful respect for farm property and livestock. Lifeguards are not present, and rescue availability is limited with emergency response via Coastguard/HM Coastguard and nearby services.
- Distinct reef peaks: Point, Bowl, and Cove
- Heavy, hollow, fast waves on shallow reef shelves
- Northwest swell preferred; south winds described as offshore/grooming
- Cold-water winter surfing emphasis with strong hazard profile
- Consistent, high-performance reef waves with distinct peaks.
- Well-regarded power and quality in winter.
- Offshore southerly winds can groom the swell.
- Very heavy, hollow performance on a shallow reef (not for inexperienced surfers).
- Difficult and dangerous entry/exit with strong currents/tidal surges near the point.
- Very limited parking and long/exposed gear carry from the farm track.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S
- Offshore directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 15–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind Type: frontal (also noted as south to southeast).
- Reliability
- 47% blown, 43% clean (monthly distribution).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- February
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs can provide some shelter from Southwest winds but may create turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Also described as medium in some guides; larger winter swell is a key feature.
- Launch
- Small — Shallow rock shelves; rocky scramble over boulders and slippery reef plates.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Shallow rock shelves with rocky/scrambly access; difficult entry/exit reported.
Through the year
Very quiet in summer; can get crowded with high-level surfers on best winter days.
Frequent Atlantic depressions bring heavy rain and gales from October to March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with several distinct reef peaks (Point/Bowl/Cove). Known for heavy, hollow, fast waves breaking across shallow rock shelves; can be shallow and critical for take-off on the shallowest sections.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break; cliffs may provide limited shelter from some wind directions but can add turbulence.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in southerly and groom the swell for south or southeast winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds massive size, but take-off becomes extremely critical and dangerous on the shallowest reef sections.
- Wave Quality
- World class — Rated excellent/world-class for high-performance reef surfing.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful; some sources characterize the performance as extremely high-performance.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Heavy, hollow waves with distinct sections (The Point, The Bowl, and The Cove).
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Some sources also describe longer runs depending on the section.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- The Bowl is noted for intense, hollow right-hand barrels; the Point is noted for longer, wall-oriented rights.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Brimms Ness (Crosskirk) in the full forecast view.
Brimms Ness (Crosskirk) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–44 ktsGusts 70 kts
- Direction
- SW225°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2544 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–8.3 m8s period
- Temperature
- 3–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Brimms Ness (Crosskirk) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–44 kts, peaking around 44 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 70 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.8–8.3 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sharp rocks
- heavy barrels
- strong rip currents and tidal surges around the point
- cold water exhaustion
- difficult entry/exit
- submerged boulders
- kelp forests
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — HM Coastguard / lifeboat services operate from nearby Scrabster or Wick.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency department is in Wick (Caithness General Hospital). Coastguard station located in Scrabster. Emergency number: 999.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Respect farm property; priority is strictly enforced in the lineup and parking requires consideration due to very limited space.
- Very limited parking at a farmyard; do not block access or gates.
- Access requires extreme respect for local land owners and livestock.
- Priority is strictly enforced; respect the local lineup at high-performance peaks.
- Car parking is very limited—respect the farm property and park with consideration.
- Walk to the point is long and exposed; bring all gear with you.
- The Bowl is the most competitive peak and requires precise positioning.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Thurso
- Nearest Town
- Scrabster
- Nearest Airport
- Wick John O'Groats Airport (WIC)
- Parking
- Very limited car parking at a farmyard/small informal parking area near farm buildings; park with consideration and respect access signs/gates.
- Access
- Follow the A836 West from Thurso. Turn right beside a small house and follow the road to the end at a farmyard. Access is via a small track on the right once out of town; walk from the farm track.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels are available in Thurso and Scrabster; also options in Crosskirk.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; Thurso has supermarkets and pubs.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rentals are limited; rentals may be available via surf schools in Thurso.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated gear storage is scarce/ not available as a dedicated facility.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs available through local surf shops in Thurso.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The most northerly point of the British mainland, with dramatic cliff-top views and a lighthouse.
A scenic driving route that passes directly through this region of the Highlands.
A more sheltered area for walking, beachcombing, and watching the local surfing community.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Brimms Ness (Crosskirk)?
The best overall months at Brimms Ness (Crosskirk) are February.
Which wind directions work at Brimms Ness (Crosskirk)?
Brimms Ness (Crosskirk) works with S winds. Offshore directions are S.
What skill level is Brimms Ness (Crosskirk) suitable for?
Brimms Ness (Crosskirk) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.