Step Heugh

Cliff, Slope in Berwickshire

Scotland

Step Heugh

Dowlaw Dean
Dowlaw Dean Credit: Rob Wallace

Step Heugh is a prominent cliff located in Berwickshire, Scotland. It is situated on the eastern coast of the country, overlooking the North Sea. The cliff stands at an impressive height of approximately 100 meters (328 feet) and stretches for a considerable distance along the coastline.

The geological formation of Step Heugh is primarily composed of sedimentary rocks, specifically sandstone and shale layers. These layers have been shaped over millions of years through the processes of erosion and weathering. The cliffs exhibit various colors, ranging from brown to grey, due to the different mineral compositions within the rock formations.

The cliff face of Step Heugh presents a striking sight, with its steep slope and sheer drop into the sea below. The rugged terrain is adorned with natural vegetation, including grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers, which contribute to the area's scenic beauty.

Step Heugh is a well-known spot for birdwatching enthusiasts, as it serves as a nesting site for several seabird species. Visitors can often observe colonies of guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes perched on the cliff ledges or soaring above the water. The cliff's location also offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastal landscape and the vast expanse of the North Sea.

Due to its dramatic scenery and ecological significance, Step Heugh attracts a significant number of tourists and nature lovers each year. The cliff provides an opportunity for outdoor activities such as hiking and photography, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Berwickshire's coastline.

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Step Heugh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.921271/-2.1906903 or Grid Reference NT8869. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dowlaw Dean
Dowlaw Dean
Looking south and inland along Dowlaw Dean
Looking south and inland along Dowlaw Dean
Small pond with derelict building near Brander Heugh The small derelict building is the remains of a WW2 marker shelter for an aircraft firing range - more detail here: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1762799" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1762799">Link</a>
Small pond with derelict building near Brander Heugh
The small derelict building is the remains of a WW2 marker shelter for an aircraft firing range - more detail here: Link
Looking down from Brander Heugh towards Lumsdaine Shore
Looking down from Brander Heugh towards Lumsdaine Shore
A snoozing grey seal pup at Lumsdaine Shore The seal was photographed with a telephoto lens from the hillside above the shore. Most of the grey seal pups were wiped out last year by Storm Arwen, but they were back to normal numbers this year.
A snoozing grey seal pup at Lumsdaine Shore
The seal was photographed with a telephoto lens from the hillside above the shore. Most of the grey seal pups were wiped out last year by Storm Arwen, but they were back to normal numbers this year.
Dowlaw Dean The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea.
Dowlaw Dean
The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea.
A roe deer in Dowlaw Dean As I carefully descended into the steep-sided ravine I disturbed two roe deer grazing by the Dowlaw Burn. This is a male deer looking defiantly up towards me.
A roe deer in Dowlaw Dean
As I carefully descended into the steep-sided ravine I disturbed two roe deer grazing by the Dowlaw Burn. This is a male deer looking defiantly up towards me.
Dowlaw Dean The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea. There has been a lot of rock fall from the southeast side of the ravine and the two sheep carcases in the foreground are proof of the treacherous nature of the unstable sides of the ravine.
Dowlaw Dean
The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea. There has been a lot of rock fall from the southeast side of the ravine and the two sheep carcases in the foreground are proof of the treacherous nature of the unstable sides of the ravine.
Roe deer in Dowlaw Dean As I carefully descended into the steep-sided ravine I disturbed a couple of roe deer grazing by the Dowlaw Burn. They watched me for a while and then climbed up the southeast side of the ravine. A female is on the left with a male on the right.
Roe deer in Dowlaw Dean
As I carefully descended into the steep-sided ravine I disturbed a couple of roe deer grazing by the Dowlaw Burn. They watched me for a while and then climbed up the southeast side of the ravine. A female is on the left with a male on the right.
Dowlaw Dean The Dowlaw Burn runs through this rocky ravine into the North Sea. There has been a lot of rock fall on the southeast side of the ravine.
Dowlaw Dean
The Dowlaw Burn runs through this rocky ravine into the North Sea. There has been a lot of rock fall on the southeast side of the ravine.
Dowlaw Dean The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea.
Dowlaw Dean
The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea.
The rocky Berwickshire coast This is a view towards Fast Castle Head with the fragmentary remains of Fast Castle silhouetted against a grey sky.
The rocky Berwickshire coast
This is a view towards Fast Castle Head with the fragmentary remains of Fast Castle silhouetted against a grey sky.
The Souter This 30m high sea stack is on the Berwickshire Coast near Dowlaw Dean. The ordinary climbing route up this small stack is graded HVS/E1 5a while another route called Squid Vicious is graded E5 6a. The first ascent was by Robin Campbell and Dave Bathgate in 1965.
The Souter
This 30m high sea stack is on the Berwickshire Coast near Dowlaw Dean. The ordinary climbing route up this small stack is graded HVS/E1 5a while another route called Squid Vicious is graded E5 6a. The first ascent was by Robin Campbell and Dave Bathgate in 1965.
Dowlaw Dean This rock outcrop is high on the southeast side of this ravine where the Dowlaw Burn runs into the North Sea.
Dowlaw Dean
This rock outcrop is high on the southeast side of this ravine where the Dowlaw Burn runs into the North Sea.
The Berwickshire coast This is a view from the headland on the northwest side of Dowlaw Dean towards Brander in the middle ground and St Abb’s Head in the background.
The Berwickshire coast
This is a view from the headland on the northwest side of Dowlaw Dean towards Brander in the middle ground and St Abb’s Head in the background.
A rusting wreck at Dowlaw This old threshing machine lies abandoned near the head of Dowlaw Dean.
A rusting wreck at Dowlaw
This old threshing machine lies abandoned near the head of Dowlaw Dean.
The coastline near the Souter Waves crash over the rocks near the Souter <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2549020">NT8670 : The Souter</a>.
The coastline near the Souter
Waves crash over the rocks near the Souter NT8670 : The Souter.
The coastline at The Souter The Souter at the upper right is a small sea stack on the Berwickshire coast. For a closer view of The Souter, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2549020">NT8670 : The Souter</a>.
The coastline at The Souter
The Souter at the upper right is a small sea stack on the Berwickshire coast. For a closer view of The Souter, see NT8670 : The Souter.
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Step Heugh is located at Grid Ref: NT8869 (Lat: 55.921271, Lng: -2.1906903)

Unitary Authority: The Scottish Borders

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders

What 3 Words

///message.shun.trips. Near Eyemouth, Scottish Borders

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.921271,-2.1906903
Oatlee Hill
Ele: 162
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 55.9179443/-2.1875002
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 55.9185051/-2.1851583
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 55.9205674/-2.19276
Admiralty Distance Pole
Man Made: tower
Lat/Long: 55.919158/-2.1880337
Admiralty Distance Pole
Man Made: tower
Lat/Long: 55.917711/-2.1890228
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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