Airds Heugh

Cliff, Slope in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Airds Heugh

Shore with boulders Rounded glacial boulders, many of granite, are a feature of the upper shore at Lochenling. — Shore with boulders Credit: Jonathan Wilkins

Airds Heugh is a prominent cliff located in the coastal area of Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Standing tall at approximately 80 meters, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and the Irish Sea. The cliff is situated near the charming village of Airds, which is known for its picturesque setting and rich history.

The cliff face of Airds Heugh is composed of rugged sandstone formations, displaying layers of sedimentary rocks that have been shaped by the forces of erosion over millions of years. The exposed rocks showcase a variety of colors, ranging from deep reds to pale yellows, adding to the natural beauty of the site.

The cliff is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers, who are drawn to its dramatic scenery and the abundant wildlife that can be observed in the area. Visitors may spot various seabirds such as gulls, puffins, and cormorants nesting on the cliff ledges, while dolphins and seals can often be seen swimming in the waters below.

Access to Airds Heugh is available through well-maintained walking trails that lead visitors to the cliff's edge. Caution is advised when approaching the edge, as the cliffs can be steep and unstable in some areas. Several viewpoints along the path provide excellent vantage points to admire the stunning coastal panorama and capture memorable photographs.

A visit to Airds Heugh offers a true escape into nature, where visitors can experience the raw beauty and tranquility of the Scottish coastline while being surrounded by a wealth of natural wonders.

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Airds Heugh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.816678/-3.8484227 or Grid Reference NX8148. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Shore with boulders

Rounded glacial boulders, many of granite, are a feature of the upper shore at Lochenling.

Jonathan Wilkins

Sea kale

A fabulous specimen of sea kale, Crambe maritima, growing amid boulders above the tide line. Other seedlings were dotted about nearby on the edge of the raised beach.

Jonathan Wilkins

Rock outcrops

Rock outcrops here belong to the Rascarrel member of the Fell Sandstone Formation which are of Carboniferous (Arundian to Holkerian) age. Rapid variation in the composition and grain size of these sandstones and conglomerates are due to very active faulting on the edge of the Solway Basin, but prominent among recognisable clasts are lumps of granitic rock from the weathering of the nearby intrusion. The camera location is a stack which is above the tide level and has a thick encrustation of lichens, mostly yellow Caloplaca.

Jonathan Wilkins

Path to Loch Mackie

Rampant bracken has taken hold following the felling of adjacent forestry, but isolated rowans have good colour with abundant berries.

Jonathan Wilkins

Rock outcrops

Low rock outcrops on the edge of the raised beach comprise dipping beds of sandstone belonging to the Rascarrel Member of the Fell Sandstone Formation. In the background is the steep, seaward face of Airds Heugh.

Jonathan Wilkins

Boulder shore

The shore here comprises an extraordinary carpet of equal-sized boulders of glacial origin which are the residua of former deposits of till, or boulder clay. It is part of the discontinuous raised beach which is particularly prominent through the west of the southern Scottish coast. See also, for example NX1239 : Bouldery beach.

Jonathan Wilkins

Balcary Bay Hotel

'The Balcary Bay Country House Hotel which takes its name from the stunningly beautiful bay that overlooks the Solway with the Cumbrian mountains in the distance. Each day brings a different colour spectrum to this wonderful vista. Each night brings forth a romantic moon shimmering across the waters.' Link

Viewed from the top of Balcary Hill.

Russel Wills

Newly cut grass fields

Some grass has been baled. Airds Farm under Big Airds Hill in the background.

Russel Wills

No they are not sheep!

The grass in the foreground has been cut and put into bales covered with white plastic. In the background, looking like a grass maze, the grass has been cut and the machine to gather it and blow it into trailers waits for a trailer.

Russel Wills

Rocks on the foreshore of Auchencairn Bay

The various post on the beach are the remnants of salmon fishing nets. How it might have looked. Link and Link Hestan Island in the bay.

Russel Wills

Balcary Tower

'Balcary Tower was built around 1860 by Colonel Johnstone, the Laird of Auchencairn House, it is believed for his French governess and mistress. The Tower was extended in the 1960s and again in the 1970s and mostly recently was entirely professionally refurbished in 2012.' Link

Link

Russel Wills

View from the carpark

Over the white plastic wrapped bales of grass.

Russel Wills

Agricultural traffic hazard

This is one of the large tractors with a trailer load of freshly cut grass. They were moving in a convoy of four down to the fields to collect the loads and then back up the narrow road with few passing places.

Russel Wills