Spindle Rock

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Angus

Scotland

Spindle Rock

Harvesting the Barley The combine harvester is just turning to cut a new swathe of barley, and the tractor is about to take a full load of grain to the farm. — Harvesting the Barley Credit: Anne Burgess

Spindle Rock is a prominent coastal feature located in Angus, Scotland. It is a headland that stretches out into the North Sea, forming a distinctive point along the coast. The rock gets its name from its unique shape, resembling a spindle or a spinning top when viewed from a distance.

Rising up from the foaming waves, Spindle Rock is composed of rugged, weathered sandstone cliffs that provide a dramatic backdrop against the azure sea. The cliffs are dotted with various plants and grasses that cling to their crevices, adding a touch of green to the otherwise rocky landscape.

The headland offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area, making it a popular spot for tourists and nature enthusiasts alike. From the top of Spindle Rock, visitors can enjoy breathtaking vistas of the expansive ocean, as well as the picturesque coastline that stretches both north and south.

In addition to its scenic beauty, Spindle Rock also holds historical significance. It is believed to have been a navigational landmark for sailors and fishermen in the past, guiding them safely along the treacherous coastline. Today, the rock serves as a reminder of the region's maritime heritage.

Spindle Rock is easily accessible to visitors, with a well-maintained footpath leading up to its summit. However, caution is advised when exploring the area, as the cliffs can be steep and slippery. Nonetheless, for those willing to make the journey, Spindle Rock offers a captivating blend of natural splendor and cultural history.

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Spindle Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.59248/-2.5185277 or Grid Reference NO6844. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Harvesting the Barley

The combine harvester is just turning to cut a new swathe of barley, and the tractor is about to take a full load of grain to the farm.

Anne Burgess

But n Ben restaurant, Auchmithie

Restaurant in a traditional cottage style building at the start of the old part of the clifftop village.

Gordon Hatton

St Peter's Church, Auchmithie

Scottish Episcopal Church situated at the western end of the village.

Gordon Hatton

Across Castlesea Bay

Looking south across the bay to the promontory of Lud Castle, which is an iron age fort.

Gordon Hatton

Harvested field south of Auchmithie

A view from the coast path looking inland across a recently cropped field towards Auchmithie church.

Gordon Hatton

Walking the coast path towards Carlingheugh Bay

Not sure if this is one bay or two as the small rocky promontory centre left appears to form a sort of break.

Gordon Hatton

Devonian sandstone meets the North Sea

The red cliffs of Angus are made from Devonian period sandstone - a sedimentary rock.

Gordon Hatton

Cliffs near West Mains

There's a faint and daunting-looking steep path down the gully here, though at least it's not overgrown with whins. West Mains of Ethie is in the background.

Anne Burgess

Sled from the Clifftop

One of the rocks close to shore here is named on the map as Sled.

Anne Burgess

Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus sylvestris)

There's quite a lot of this in the East Den, though overall it is not common in northern Scotland.

Anne Burgess

Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus sylvestris)

These are the seed pods of NO6945 : Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus sylvestris).

Anne Burgess

Beach north of Rumness

Rumness itself is more or less hidden behind the headland, but according to the old Ordnance Survey maps none of the other rock features here has a name.

Anne Burgess

Old Red Sandstone

The rocks in the foreground are sandstones of Devonian age, laid down in arid conditions some 420 million years ago when what is now Scotland was at the latitude of the present-day Sahara Desert.

Anne Burgess