1. Home
  2. Scotland
  3. Dumfries and Galloway
  4. Dumfries and Galloway
  5. Kirkcudbrightshire
  6. Blaeberry Island

Blaeberry Island

Island in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Blaeberry Island

Forestry road near Loch Skerrow
Forestry road near Loch Skerrow Credit: Steven Brown

Blaeberry Island, located in the historic county of Kirkcudbrightshire in southwestern Scotland, is a small, uninhabited island nestled in the estuary of the River Dee. With an area of around 1.5 hectares, the island is privately owned and is accessible only by boat.

The island gets its name from the abundance of blaeberry bushes that grow on its rocky terrain. These bushes produce small, dark blue berries, known locally as "blaeberry" or "bilberry," which are a popular ingredient in Scottish cuisine.

Blaeberry Island is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as it provides a sanctuary for various species of birds, including gulls, oystercatchers, and eider ducks. The surrounding waters are also home to seals and occasionally dolphins, making it a popular spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers.

The island's shoreline is rocky and rugged, with small patches of sandy beach. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding estuary and the nearby town of Kirkcudbright. Visitors can explore the island's trails, which meander through the blaeberry bushes and offer glimpses of its diverse flora and fauna.

Due to its small size and lack of amenities, Blaeberry Island is not suitable for long-term stays or overnight camping. However, it serves as a tranquil destination for day trips, picnics, and nature walks. Visitors can enjoy the peacefulness of the island, soak in its natural beauty, and appreciate the rich biodiversity that thrives in this secluded corner of Kirkcudbrightshire.

Show me another place!

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

Blaeberry Island Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.985864/-4.1850483 or Grid Reference NX6067. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Forestry road near Loch Skerrow
Forestry road near Loch Skerrow
Airie Hill and Grobdale View of Airie Hill from the south, a glimpse of pre-forestry Galloway.
Airie Hill and Grobdale
View of Airie Hill from the south, a glimpse of pre-forestry Galloway.
Little Water of Fleet Upstream of the road and viaduct site.
Little Water of Fleet
Upstream of the road and viaduct site.
Little Water of Fleet Downstream view towards the site of the viaduct.
Little Water of Fleet
Downstream view towards the site of the viaduct.
Logging road, Darncree At the crossing of the Little Water of Fleet. The outbound timber haul road has now left the railway trackbed (the Little Water of Fleet Viaduct has been demolished) and will head southwards.
Logging road, Darncree
At the crossing of the Little Water of Fleet. The outbound timber haul road has now left the railway trackbed (the Little Water of Fleet Viaduct has been demolished) and will head southwards.
Little Water of Fleet embankment The western approach to the Little Water of Fleet Viaduct, which was demolished in the 1980s.
Little Water of Fleet embankment
The western approach to the Little Water of Fleet Viaduct, which was demolished in the 1980s.
"Paddy Line" bridge View from the logging road which has taken a different route due to the demolition of the viaduct over the Little Water of Fleet - not that the shoogly Fleet viaducts were ever suitable for that purpose. The railway was closed in 1965. An older photograph:<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/512381">NX5967 : "Paddy Line" bridge.</a>
"Paddy Line" bridge
View from the logging road which has taken a different route due to the demolition of the viaduct over the Little Water of Fleet - not that the shoogly Fleet viaducts were ever suitable for that purpose. The railway was closed in 1965. An older photograph:NX5967 : "Paddy Line" bridge.
Unplanted strip Between a track and the remains of the railway. Typical Galloway tussocks, a glimpse of what it was like before the conifer plantations.
Unplanted strip
Between a track and the remains of the railway. Typical Galloway tussocks, a glimpse of what it was like before the conifer plantations.
Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Railway trackbed From here to the Airie woodlands the railway trackbed has not been upgraded to a road. It is promoted as a through route between Gatehouse Station and Mossford and from here on eastwards it is a delight. The white things are closure signs, left from Autumn 2019. Unfortunately there were closure signs nearer Mossford, too late for another route. Due to forestry work, its best to do the railway at the weekend.
Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Railway trackbed
From here to the Airie woodlands the railway trackbed has not been upgraded to a road. It is promoted as a through route between Gatehouse Station and Mossford and from here on eastwards it is a delight. The white things are closure signs, left from Autumn 2019. Unfortunately there were closure signs nearer Mossford, too late for another route. Due to forestry work, its best to do the railway at the weekend.
Logging road The main road out of the forest has left the railway and is now heading south.
Logging road
The main road out of the forest has left the railway and is now heading south.
Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Railway trackbed This is a very pleasant stretch of track which has not been turned into a logging road. There is a real feel of remoteness along here. It is a promoted path, but there will almost certainly be forestry work taking place somewhere along the way with the inevitable keep out signs. Best done on a weekend.
Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Railway trackbed
This is a very pleasant stretch of track which has not been turned into a logging road. There is a real feel of remoteness along here. It is a promoted path, but there will almost certainly be forestry work taking place somewhere along the way with the inevitable keep out signs. Best done on a weekend.
Rig of Burnfoot A replanted block on the south side of the railway trackbed.
Rig of Burnfoot
A replanted block on the south side of the railway trackbed.
Cutting A short cutting took the Port Road through a very narrow rib of rock. The trackbed is now a path between Gatehouse Station and Mossford.
Cutting
A short cutting took the Port Road through a very narrow rib of rock. The trackbed is now a path between Gatehouse Station and Mossford.
A granite crag The butt of a narrow rib of granite which was dealt with by the railway engineers using a short cutting. The light rock suggests recent removal of vegetation.
A granite crag
The butt of a narrow rib of granite which was dealt with by the railway engineers using a short cutting. The light rock suggests recent removal of vegetation.
Airie Burn Approaching Loch Skerrow Halt, the vista over the surrounding countryside includes the 'valley' of the Airie Burn.
Airie Burn
Approaching Loch Skerrow Halt, the vista over the surrounding countryside includes the 'valley' of the Airie Burn.
Grobdale Lane/Airie Burn Confluence Viewed from a recently-replaced bridge on the former route of the Portpatrick Railway, the Grobdale Lane enters from the bottom of shot to meet the Airie Burn flowing from right to left of shot.
Grobdale Lane/Airie Burn Confluence
Viewed from a recently-replaced bridge on the former route of the Portpatrick Railway, the Grobdale Lane enters from the bottom of shot to meet the Airie Burn flowing from right to left of shot.
Loch Skerrow One of the countless picturesque lochs in Galloway. This photograph was taken to the east of the former Loch Skerrow Halt.
Loch Skerrow
One of the countless picturesque lochs in Galloway. This photograph was taken to the east of the former Loch Skerrow Halt.
Remains Of Loch Skerrow Halt's Westbound Platform The westbound platform, of concrete construction, supported by brick pillars. The pines in view can clearly be seen in period photographs of the station.
Remains Of Loch Skerrow Halt's Westbound Platform
The westbound platform, of concrete construction, supported by brick pillars. The pines in view can clearly be seen in period photographs of the station.
Show me another place!

Blaeberry Island is located at Grid Ref: NX6067 (Lat: 54.985864, Lng: -4.1850483)

Unitary Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

Police Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

What 3 Words

///label.super.storeroom. Near Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway

Nearby Locations

Craigaherron Island Blaeberry Island

Related Wikis

Skerrow
Skerrow

Skerrow was a burgh in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Loch Skerrow Halt railway station, on the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint Railway, served Skerrow...

Loch Skerrow Halt railway station
Loch Skerrow Halt railway station

Loch Skerrow Halt railway station served the burgh of Skerrow, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland on the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint Railway. ��2...

New Galloway railway station
New Galloway railway station

New Galloway railway station served the town of New Galloway in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, from 1861 to 1965 on the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire...

Rusco Tower
Rusco Tower

Rusco Tower, sometimes called Rusco Castle, is a tower house near Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Built around 1500 for Mariota...

Airds of Kells
Airds of Kells

Airds of Kells is a farm and small estate in the historical county of Kirkcudbrightshire in the parish of Kells, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The...

Galloway
Galloway

Galloway (Scottish Gaelic: Gall-Ghàidhealaibh [ˈkal̪ˠaɣəl̪ˠu]; Scots: Gallowa; Latin: Gallovidia) is a region in southwestern Scotland comprising the historic...

Gatehouse of Fleet railway station
Gatehouse of Fleet railway station

Gatehouse of Fleet railway station served the town of Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland from 1861 to 1965 on the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire...

Loch Ken
Loch Ken

Loch Ken is a 9 miles (14 km) long freshwater loch in the historic county of Kirkcudbrightshire in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It lies in the Glenkens...

Carreg Mulfran Cardiganshire
Battisborough Island Devon

Have you been to Blaeberry Island?

Leave your review of Blaeberry Island below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy