Maiden Stane

Island in Angus

Scotland

Maiden Stane

Cliffs in Carlingheugh Bay The cleft in the cliff is a fault which has been exploited by the sea to form the Dark Cave, one of two caves that extend right through the headland to the next bay. The other one, the Light Cave, is further to the right. When you enter the Light cave, you can see the light at the other end, but the Dark Cave is, as its name suggests, completely dark. Bring a torch if you&#039;re going to explore it, and mind your head inside. The slightly wavy almost vertical feature next to the cave entrance is a vein of baryte (Barium sulphate, BaSO4, also known as barite and barytes). This has leached out of the sandstone and there are several such veins in the vicinity. Baryte is very dense (about 4½ tonnes per cubic metre, compared with sandstone which has a density of about 2¼ tonnes per cubic metre) and is used to make drilling mud to seal oil wells, and it is the most important ore of barium, which has many uses in medicine, engineering and other fields. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baryte" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baryte">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>. — Cliffs in Carlingheugh Bay Credit: Anne Burgess

Maiden Stane is a small island located off the coast of Angus, Scotland. Situated in the North Sea, this rocky outcrop is known for its unique geological features and historical significance. The island gets its name from a large standing stone, known as the Maiden Stane, which stands proudly on its shores.

The Maiden Stane itself is an impressive megalith, standing at approximately 7 feet tall. It is believed to have been erected during the Neolithic period, around 4000 to 2000 BC, making it an ancient monument of great cultural and historical value. The purpose of the stone remains unknown, with various theories suggesting it may have had religious or ceremonial significance.

In addition to the Maiden Stane, the island is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The rugged coastline provides a habitat for various seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. The surrounding waters are also teeming with marine life, making it a popular spot for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Access to Maiden Stane is limited due to its remote location and protected status. Visitors can only reach the island by boat, and permission may be required to land. However, the stunning natural beauty and historical significance of Maiden Stane make it a must-visit destination for those with an interest in ancient history and nature conservation.

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Maiden Stane Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.590711/-2.5183895 or Grid Reference NO6844. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cliffs in Carlingheugh Bay

The cleft in the cliff is a fault which has been exploited by the sea to form the Dark Cave, one of two caves that extend right through the headland to the next bay. The other one, the Light Cave, is further to the right. When you enter the Light cave, you can see the light at the other end, but the Dark Cave is, as its name suggests, completely dark. Bring a torch if you're going to explore it, and mind your head inside. The slightly wavy almost vertical feature next to the cave entrance is a vein of baryte (Barium sulphate, BaSO4, also known as barite and barytes). This has leached out of the sandstone and there are several such veins in the vicinity. Baryte is very dense (about 4½ tonnes per cubic metre, compared with sandstone which has a density of about 2¼ tonnes per cubic metre) and is used to make drilling mud to seal oil wells, and it is the most important ore of barium, which has many uses in medicine, engineering and other fields. See Link

Anne Burgess

Barite Crystals

The white dendritic shapes are crystals of Barium sulphate, BaSO4, also known as barite and baryte, which have leached out from igneous fluids permeating the sandstone. Baryte is very dense (about 4½ tonnes per cubic metre, compared with sandstone which has a density of about 2¼ tonnes per cubic metre) and is used to make drilling mud to seal oil wells, and it is the most important ore of barium, which has many uses in medicine, engineering and other fields. See Link

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

Lobster fishing off Carlingheugh Bay

Small fishing boat close to shore checking out lobster pots.

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