Big Airds Hill

Hill, Mountain in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Big Airds Hill

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

Big Airds Hill is a prominent hill located in the historic county of Kirkcudbrightshire, in the southwest of Scotland. With an elevation of 408 meters (1,338 feet), it stands as a notable landmark in the region. Situated near the village of Airds, the hill offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the picturesque Scottish countryside and the nearby Solway Firth.

The hill is characterized by its gently rolling slopes covered in heather and grasses, creating a rich and diverse habitat for wildlife. It is home to various species of birds, such as red grouse and meadow pipits, which can often be spotted throughout the area. The hill's strategic location also makes it an ideal spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Big Airds Hill is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers, who are drawn to its natural beauty and the opportunity to explore its trails and paths. The ascent to the summit is moderate, making it accessible to individuals of varying fitness levels. Once at the top, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking vistas that stretch for miles, showcasing the magnificent Scottish countryside.

In addition to its natural beauty, Big Airds Hill holds historical significance. It is believed that the hill was once a fortification site during ancient times, with remnants of earthworks and defensive structures still visible today.

Overall, Big Airds Hill stands as a prominent feature in Kirkcudbrightshire, attracting nature lovers, hikers, and history enthusiasts alike with its stunning views, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.

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Big Airds Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.818431/-3.8460591 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