Barns Ness

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in East Lothian

Scotland

Barns Ness

Barns Ness is a prominent headland located in East Lothian, Scotland. It is situated on the southern coast of the country, overlooking the North Sea. The headland is known for its rugged and dramatic cliffs, which reach heights of up to 30 meters in some areas. These cliffs are composed of sandstone and shale, giving them a distinctive reddish-brown color.

The coastline around Barns Ness is characterized by its rocky terrain, with numerous rock formations and caves carved out by the relentless wave action. This makes it a popular destination for geologists and nature enthusiasts who are interested in studying the local geological features.

One of the notable landmarks at Barns Ness is the Barns Ness Lighthouse, which was built in 1901. The lighthouse stands at approximately 31 meters tall and served as a navigational aid for ships traveling along the treacherous coastline. Although it is no longer in use, the lighthouse remains an iconic symbol of the area.

In addition to its geological and historical significance, Barns Ness is also home to a diverse array of wildlife. The headland provides a habitat for various bird species, including fulmars, kittiwakes, and puffins. Seals can often be spotted basking on the rocks, while dolphins and porpoises can occasionally be seen swimming offshore.

Overall, Barns Ness offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore a rugged and picturesque headland, rich in both natural and cultural heritage.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Barns Ness Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.986978/-2.4471277 or Grid Reference NT7277. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dunbar Cement Works

John Darcy

Quarry, Dunbar cement works.

The Lothians have a fair bit of limestone, a rock notable in Scotland by its relative scarcity. Near Barns Ness there are sufficient quantities to feed a cement works. The works are next door, but most of NT7077 is taken up by this vast, if not deep quarry.

Richard Webb

White Sands

Behind the uglyness of the limestone quarries are a series of lovely beaches. As well as the white sands, there are limestone slabs here, backed by land used previously for quarrying and a strip of very attractive links. Its managed as a country park.

Richard Webb

Barns Ness lighthouse

Built 1901

Iain Macaulay

Bales near East Barns

Iain Macaulay

Cement works at night

Toby Speight

Chimney-stack at East Barns Farm, near Dunbar

Derelict remains of East Barns Farm that includes a cart shed, granary, engine room and red brick chimney stack. The engine was likely to have been fuelled by coal as there were many coal mines in the Lothians at this time and it was used to power a threshing machine in the adjacent building.

Lisa Jarvis

Carthouse at East Barns Farm, near Dunbar

Cart Shed at the derelict remains of East Barns Farm.NT7176 : Chimney-stack at East Barns Farm, near Dunbar

Lisa Jarvis

Farm Track at East Barns, near Dunbar

View over farmland towards Barns Ness Lighthouse.

Lisa Jarvis

Shingle Beach, Skateraw

Part of the John Muir Way, heading towards Barns Ness

Lisa Jarvis

Mill Stone Neuk

Peninsula of rocks protruding into the Firth of Forth at Whitesands.

Lisa Jarvis

Catcraig Limekilns

The area around Dunbar was very important in the 18th and 19th centuries for making lime for spreading on the fields. Most was sent by cart to Berwickshire. These are a pair of mid 19th century kilns, one a 2-draw kiln, the other a 3-draw kiln. The kilns were associated with quarries, a power-house, and a track leading to a landing-place on the rocks and were closed in 1921, during the miners strike.

Lisa Jarvis