Islands of Fleet

Island Group in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Islands of Fleet

Inlet, Knockbrex Bay Rock outcrops, almost covered by turf, at the side of an inlet on Knockbrex Bay. Knockbrex House can be seen over the coastal fields. — Inlet, Knockbrex Bay Credit: Jonathan Wilkins

The Islands of Fleet, located in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, are a group of small islands situated within the Fleet Bay. The bay itself is an inlet of the Irish Sea, forming part of the Solway Firth. The islands, which include Barlocco, Barlocco Calf, Rough Island, Little Isle, and Manxman's Lake, are characterized by their natural beauty and rich biodiversity.

Barlocco is the largest island in the group and is covered in lush vegetation, including woodland areas and grassy meadows. The island is home to a variety of bird species, including herons, oystercatchers, and red-breasted mergansers. Barlocco Calf, a smaller island adjacent to Barlocco, is a haven for seabirds like guillemots, razorbills, and puffins.

Rough Island, located towards the mouth of the Fleet Bay, is known for its rugged terrain and rocky shores. It is a designated nature reserve and is particularly important for its breeding colonies of Arctic terns and common terns.

Little Isle, as its name suggests, is the smallest island in the group. It is a rocky islet that is often submerged during high tide. Despite its size, it provides nesting sites for various seabirds and is an important resting spot for migratory birds.

Manxman's Lake, situated on the mainland, is a freshwater loch that is connected to the sea by a narrow channel. It is a popular spot for fishing and bird-watching enthusiasts, with a wide range of waterfowl and wading birds frequenting the area.

Overall, the Islands of Fleet offer a diverse and captivating natural environment, attracting visitors who appreciate the beauty and tranquility of this unique island group.

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Islands of Fleet Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.818465/-4.2269292 or Grid Reference NX5749. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Inlet, Knockbrex Bay

Rock outcrops, almost covered by turf, at the side of an inlet on Knockbrex Bay. Knockbrex House can be seen over the coastal fields.

Jonathan Wilkins

Folded strata

Rock outcrops on the shore are bedded greywackes belonging to the Kirkmaiden Formation, of Silurian (Llandovery) age. Their hardness and resistance to erosion is due to their state of metamorphism through deep burial during continental collision. The folding demonstrated here was caused by differential movement along faults separating adjacent slices of sediments as they were scraped off a descending oceanic plate (an "accretionary prism").

Jonathan Wilkins

Upright strata

Large areas of the foreshore here comprise vertically disposed beds of Silurian greywacke which show only gentle folding. See also NX5749 : Folded strata for an interpretation of the disposition and nature of the rocks here.

Jonathan Wilkins

Coastal pasture, Knockbrex

Richard Webb

Murray's Isle South

Taken far out from Carrick Bay, at the turn of a Spring Low Tide, late on a September evening 2023. The predicted tide height for low water was 1.8m. It was possible to walk further out to the isle although slightly deeper than my wellingtons would allow.

Steve Houldsworth

Low tide near Ardwall Isle

Two men on the east side of Ardwall Isle were taking advantage of an evening low tide to collect some whelks.

Walter Baxter

Unused gate

Unused gate on the Knockbrex Estate.

Chris McAuley

Ardwall Isle

This is at the southwest corner of the small tidal island in Wigtown Bay looking over to Murray’s Isles.

Walter Baxter

Navigation pillars at Knockbrex Bay

Three pillars in the bay act as navigation markers for a small harbour at Knockbrex. This was viewed at low tide.

Walter Baxter

A cairn on Ardwall Isle

The cairn at 34m marks the high spot of this small tidal island in Wigtown Bay.

Walter Baxter

Ardwall Isle

This is at the southwest edge of this small tidal island in Wigtown Bay at low tide.

Walter Baxter

A navigation pillar at Knockbrex Bay

This is one of three pillars that act as navigation markers for a small harbour at Knockbrex. For a view of all three pillars, see NX5849 : Navigation pillars at Knockbrex Bay.

Walter Baxter

A navigation pillar at Knockbrex Bay

This is one of three pillars that act as navigation markers for a small harbour at Knockbrex. The harbour is just out of shot to the right. For a view of all three pillars, see NX5849 : Navigation pillars at Knockbrex Bay.

Walter Baxter