Needles Eye

Island in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Needles Eye

Shell lag Empty cockle shells have been winnowed out of the fine sand by the tidal flow and left in this impressive strew on the surface. The place abounds in lessons for the geological interpretation of ancient fossil and sediment deposits.
Shell lag Credit: Jonathan Wilkins

Needles Eye is a small island located off the coast of Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Situated in the Solway Firth, this uninhabited island is approximately 1.5 hectares in size. The island gets its name from its distinctive rock formation, which resembles a needle's eye. This unique geological feature attracts visitors from near and far.

Access to Needles Eye is mainly by boat, with a short journey from the mainland. The island is a popular destination for birdwatching enthusiasts due to its diverse bird population. Visitors can spot a variety of seabirds, such as puffins, gannets, and cormorants, as well as other coastal species.

The rocky terrain of Needles Eye provides a habitat for various marine wildlife. Seals can often be seen basking on the rocks, and occasional sightings of dolphins and porpoises have been reported in the surrounding waters.

The island is also known for its historical significance. It is believed to have been a place of religious significance in ancient times, with archaeological evidence suggesting the presence of a chapel or shrine. The ruins of a small stone building can still be seen on the island, adding to its historical charm.

Visitors to Needles Eye can explore the island on foot, taking in the breathtaking coastal views and enjoying the tranquility of its remote location. However, it is important to note that the island has no facilities, so visitors are advised to bring their own supplies and take any waste away with them.

Overall, Needles Eye is a captivating island, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and historical intrigue, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

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Needles Eye Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.872931/-3.7322191 or Grid Reference NX8854. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Shell lag Empty cockle shells have been winnowed out of the fine sand by the tidal flow and left in this impressive strew on the surface. The place abounds in lessons for the geological interpretation of ancient fossil and sediment deposits.
Shell lag
Empty cockle shells have been winnowed out of the fine sand by the tidal flow and left in this impressive strew on the surface. The place abounds in lessons for the geological interpretation of ancient fossil and sediment deposits.
Erosion features The extent of re-working by tidal currents is a surprise. Here a channel can be seen eating its way through layered, muddy sand with cockle shell layers.
Erosion features
The extent of re-working by tidal currents is a surprise. Here a channel can be seen eating its way through layered, muddy sand with cockle shell layers.
Tidal river channel Part of the meandering course of Southwick Water as it makes its way across the sand at low tide.
Tidal river channel
Part of the meandering course of Southwick Water as it makes its way across the sand at low tide.
Rocks by Southwick Water The principal outfall of Southwick Water hugs the steep coastal rocks to form a channel which is intermittently quite deep for the unwary.
Rocks by Southwick Water
The principal outfall of Southwick Water hugs the steep coastal rocks to form a channel which is intermittently quite deep for the unwary.
Bombing range target Well out on Mersehead Sands.
'During World War 2 the airfield at Dumfries trained bomb aimers and air gunners, preparing them for their future role in Bomber Command. There were a few bombing ranges in the area which generally consisted of a wooden target situated away from towns and villages.' 
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.solwaymilitarytrail.co.uk/trail-attractions/sandyhills-bombing-range/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.solwaymilitarytrail.co.uk/trail-attractions/sandyhills-bombing-range/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Walter Baxter risked life and limb for a closer look <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2988812" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2988812">Link</a>
Bombing range target
Well out on Mersehead Sands. 'During World War 2 the airfield at Dumfries trained bomb aimers and air gunners, preparing them for their future role in Bomber Command. There were a few bombing ranges in the area which generally consisted of a wooden target situated away from towns and villages.' LinkExternal link Walter Baxter risked life and limb for a closer look Link
The Solway Firth Southwick Water at low tide with the Mersehead Sands beyond in the Solway Firth.
The Solway Firth
Southwick Water at low tide with the Mersehead Sands beyond in the Solway Firth.
Looking over the Solway Sands
Looking over the Solway Sands
Solway Sands
Solway Sands
Looking over the Solway Firth Sands
Looking over the Solway Firth Sands
The Solway Coast The Solway coast looking towards Sandyhills Bay.
The Solway Coast
The Solway coast looking towards Sandyhills Bay.
Reed bed Not the most popular part of this wonderful bay, by virtue of the sticky, muddy substrate which is sufficiently rarely covered by the tide to support a significant bed of reeds which are just coming into flower.
Reed bed
Not the most popular part of this wonderful bay, by virtue of the sticky, muddy substrate which is sufficiently rarely covered by the tide to support a significant bed of reeds which are just coming into flower.
Dry channel Water drains off the sands rapidly as the tide falls, causing deep channels to form. The channel, now dried-out completely, shows a wonderful collection of intricate bedforms indicative of flowing water and sediment transport. A sedimentologist's dream?
Dry channel
Water drains off the sands rapidly as the tide falls, causing deep channels to form. The channel, now dried-out completely, shows a wonderful collection of intricate bedforms indicative of flowing water and sediment transport. A sedimentologist's dream?
Barnhourie Burn outlet The wide, shallow outlet of the burn at low tide.
Barnhourie Burn outlet
The wide, shallow outlet of the burn at low tide.
Outflow channel Water flowing out from the Barnhourie burn on the vast inter-tidal plain. The topography is much more complex than the map suggests!
Outflow channel
Water flowing out from the Barnhourie burn on the vast inter-tidal plain. The topography is much more complex than the map suggests!
Erratic boulder shore The strip above the normal tide level is strewn with very pleasing, rounded glacial erratic boulders. Their concentration at the two extremities of the shore at Sandyhills Bay is surprising.
Erratic boulder shore
The strip above the normal tide level is strewn with very pleasing, rounded glacial erratic boulders. Their concentration at the two extremities of the shore at Sandyhills Bay is surprising.
Red granite vein Grey rocks which are sedimentary in origin are intruded here by a wide vein of reddened granite. The contrast is very pleasing.
Red granite vein
Grey rocks which are sedimentary in origin are intruded here by a wide vein of reddened granite. The contrast is very pleasing.
Piper's Cove A fabulous cove, in which one wall shows how red granite intrusion has followed the structure of the folded rocks which it has forced its way into.
Piper's Cove
A fabulous cove, in which one wall shows how red granite intrusion has followed the structure of the folded rocks which it has forced its way into.
Sea-washed rocks Rock outcrop on the upper shore comprising red-coloured granite amid grey coloured sedimentary strata. Salt-making was apparently practised on the shore until the 18th century.
Sea-washed rocks
Rock outcrop on the upper shore comprising red-coloured granite amid grey coloured sedimentary strata. Salt-making was apparently practised on the shore until the 18th century.
Show me another place!

Needles Eye is located at Grid Ref: NX8854 (Lat: 54.872931, Lng: -3.7322191)

Unitary Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

Police Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

What 3 Words

///harder.cigar.shielding. Near Dalbeattie, Dumfries & Galloway

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Toors Hill
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 54.872871/-3.7361981
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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