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Barn Door

Island in Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Barn Door

Caves at Aberdour beach From the top of the cliff looking down towards the beach and caves
Caves at Aberdour beach Credit: Ralph Greig

Barn Door, Aberdeenshire, is a small island located off the northeast coast of Scotland. It is part of the Scottish archipelago and lies in the North Sea, approximately 1.5 miles from the mainland. The island measures around 0.5 square miles in area and is known for its rugged and picturesque landscape.

Barn Door is characterized by its dramatic cliffs, which rise up to 300 feet above sea level, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. The island's coastline is rocky and jagged, with small secluded beaches nestled in between. It is a haven for wildlife, with various species of seabirds, including puffins and guillemots, making their nests on the cliffs.

The island is largely uninhabited, with no permanent residents. However, it is a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts who come to explore its natural beauty and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and photography. There are no facilities or accommodations on the island, making it a truly remote and untouched destination.

Access to Barn Door is possible via private boat or by taking a ferry from the nearby mainland town of Aberdeen. The island can be treacherous to navigate due to its rocky shores and strong currents, so visitors are advised to take caution and adhere to safety guidelines.

Overall, Barn Door, Aberdeenshire, offers a unique and breathtaking experience for those seeking a secluded and unspoiled natural escape in the midst of the North Sea.

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Barn Door Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.678728/-2.2085398 or Grid Reference NJ8765. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Caves at Aberdour beach From the top of the cliff looking down towards the beach and caves
Caves at Aberdour beach
From the top of the cliff looking down towards the beach and caves
Beach Rainbow
Beach Rainbow
Dundarg Castle House A Category B Listed castellated house built by Air Vice Marshall Carnegie in 1937-8 mostly from the Aberdour Free Church. The house is sited within a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Constructed on the site of a prehistoric promontory fort, Dundarg was a late 13th/early 14th century Castle first mentioned in 1334 when it was besieged by and fell to the Warden of Scotland, Sir Andrew de Moray in December that year. The castle was then abandoned although there is some evidence it was briefly re-fortified, perhaps in the period 1550-60.
Dundarg Castle House
A Category B Listed castellated house built by Air Vice Marshall Carnegie in 1937-8 mostly from the Aberdour Free Church. The house is sited within a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Constructed on the site of a prehistoric promontory fort, Dundarg was a late 13th/early 14th century Castle first mentioned in 1334 when it was besieged by and fell to the Warden of Scotland, Sir Andrew de Moray in December that year. The castle was then abandoned although there is some evidence it was briefly re-fortified, perhaps in the period 1550-60.
B9031 near Towie
B9031 near Towie
Black Dog The rocks on the shore here are sandstones, and they are dipping at about 30º to the west.
Black Dog
The rocks on the shore here are sandstones, and they are dipping at about 30º to the west.
Natural Arch at Pitjossie This is one of two natural arches, quite close together. It was not easy to get through both of them, and I could not have got any further without getting very wet. I don't mind that for me, but I don't like getting the camera wet! For the reciprocal view see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4095801">NJ8765 : Natural Arch</a>.
Natural Arch at Pitjossie
This is one of two natural arches, quite close together. It was not easy to get through both of them, and I could not have got any further without getting very wet. I don't mind that for me, but I don't like getting the camera wet! For the reciprocal view see NJ8765 : Natural Arch.
Natural Arch This is the reciprocal view of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4095796">NJ8765 : Natural Arch at Pitjossie</a>.
Natural Arch
This is the reciprocal view of NJ8765 : Natural Arch at Pitjossie.
Natural Arches Looking through both natural arches from Ceard's Cove to Pitjossie.
Natural Arches
Looking through both natural arches from Ceard's Cove to Pitjossie.
Ceard's Cove The rocks here are metamorphic, and they are overlain by sandstone just a few tens of metres beyond here.
Ceard's Cove
The rocks here are metamorphic, and they are overlain by sandstone just a few tens of metres beyond here.
Metamorphic Rocks This is one of the easternmost of the metamorphic rock outcrops on this coast.
Metamorphic Rocks
This is one of the easternmost of the metamorphic rock outcrops on this coast.
Sandstone Strata These rocks are dipping at about 30º to the north, which is curious because just a short distance away the rocks dip to the west. Another visit, with more time and less tide, is called for!
Sandstone Strata
These rocks are dipping at about 30º to the north, which is curious because just a short distance away the rocks dip to the west. Another visit, with more time and less tide, is called for!
St Drostan's Kirk and Beach House The ruins are those of St Drostan's Kirk, dating from the early 16th century. Beach House is the former manse. It was built by Alexander Laing with William Robertson in Regency style, with a semicircular stair at the rear.
St Drostan's Kirk and Beach House
The ruins are those of St Drostan's Kirk, dating from the early 16th century. Beach House is the former manse. It was built by Alexander Laing with William Robertson in Regency style, with a semicircular stair at the rear.
New Aberdour Beach
New Aberdour Beach
View towards Strahangles Point Arable foreground and a wild coast between Rosehearty and Pennan.
View towards Strahangles Point
Arable foreground and a wild coast between Rosehearty and Pennan.
Dundarg Castle House Farmland and a house beside the site of Dundarg Castle.
Dundarg Castle House
Farmland and a house beside the site of Dundarg Castle.
The Dour A burn seen from Haugh Bridge, downstream of New Aberdour.
The Dour
A burn seen from Haugh Bridge, downstream of New Aberdour.
The Dour Downstream of Haugh Bridge.
The Dour
Downstream of Haugh Bridge.
Aberdour Beach The Aberdeenshire version: view eastwards from near the car park.
Aberdour Beach
The Aberdeenshire version: view eastwards from near the car park.
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Barn Door is located at Grid Ref: NJ8765 (Lat: 57.678728, Lng: -2.2085398)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///young.passports.memory. Near Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire

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Barn Door Slack of Red Slinn White Wins Strahangles Point Oily Pig Leak Willie

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