Bell Bay

Bay in Buteshire

Scotland

Bell Bay

Grazing land at Figgatoch Farm
Grazing land at Figgatoch Farm Credit: John Ferguson

Bell Bay is a picturesque bay located in the region of Buteshire, Scotland. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Isle of Bute, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the surrounding natural landscape. The bay stretches for approximately 2.5 miles and is known for its tranquil atmosphere and peaceful surroundings.

The bay is characterized by its sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and clear blue waters. It serves as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. The bay is also a haven for wildlife, with various species of birds, seals, and occasionally dolphins being spotted in the area.

Bell Bay is easily accessible, with a nearby car park and public transport links available for visitors. The bay is also within walking distance of the town of Rothesay, which offers a range of amenities including shops, restaurants, and accommodations.

In addition to its natural beauty, Bell Bay also has historical significance. The area has seen human activity dating back to ancient times, and remnants of ancient settlements and burial sites have been discovered in the vicinity. The bay also played a role in the maritime history of the region, serving as a port for trade and fishing.

Overall, Bell Bay in Buteshire is a captivating destination that offers visitors a blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and historical intrigue. It is a place where visitors can unwind, connect with nature, and immerse themselves in the rich heritage of the region.

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Bell Bay Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.777358/-4.9324642 or Grid Reference NS1657. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Grazing land at Figgatoch Farm
Grazing land at Figgatoch Farm
Trig pillar on Barbay Hill
Trig pillar on Barbay Hill
Gouklan Standing Stone - Isle of Cumbrae The Gouklan Stone stands in the southeast corner of Gouklan Wood.
Gouklan Standing Stone - Isle of Cumbrae
The Gouklan Stone stands in the southeast corner of Gouklan Wood.
Gouklan Standing Stone - Isle of Cumbrae The Gouklan Stone stands in the southeast corner of Gouklan Wood.
Gouklan Standing Stone - Isle of Cumbrae
The Gouklan Stone stands in the southeast corner of Gouklan Wood.
The Gowk Stone - Isle of Cumbrae In folklore a gowk is a cuckoo or fool, the latter were thought to be fairy-touched.
Gowk’s Day was the old Scottish April Fool's Day, which was held on 13th April when the cuckoo begins to call.
The call of the cuckoo is believed to beckon the souls of the dead, and the cuckoo was thought to be able to travel back and forth between the worlds of the living and the dead.
The Gowk Stone - Isle of Cumbrae
In folklore a gowk is a cuckoo or fool, the latter were thought to be fairy-touched. Gowk’s Day was the old Scottish April Fool's Day, which was held on 13th April when the cuckoo begins to call. The call of the cuckoo is believed to beckon the souls of the dead, and the cuckoo was thought to be able to travel back and forth between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Millport Curling Club Bothy - Isle of Cumbrae Wee Minnemoer Bothy is the home of Millport Curling Club which was founded in 1838.

The first President was John Wishart from a report of a meeting held in the Kelburne Arms. The bothy was built by William Wishart about 1845. In these early years curling on Cumbrae was run less formally but from 1925 the Curling Club has flourished and more recently ladies were admitted to the club as members. The Club has been and remains active in many competitions organised by the Argyll Province and the Royal Club.
Millport Curling Club Bothy - Isle of Cumbrae
Wee Minnemoer Bothy is the home of Millport Curling Club which was founded in 1838. The first President was John Wishart from a report of a meeting held in the Kelburne Arms. The bothy was built by William Wishart about 1845. In these early years curling on Cumbrae was run less formally but from 1925 the Curling Club has flourished and more recently ladies were admitted to the club as members. The Club has been and remains active in many competitions organised by the Argyll Province and the Royal Club.
Ballochmartin, Great Cumbrae Island The island is more generally known as "The Big Cumbrae" or just "Millport" after its main town.
Ballochmartin, Great Cumbrae Island
The island is more generally known as "The Big Cumbrae" or just "Millport" after its main town.
Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Trig point This Trig Point (or triangulation pillar) is on the highest point of Great Cumbrae island at 417' (127m). The views can be stunning from here  apparently - unfortunately this was not the case at the time of our visit as low cloud and rain obscured any such views.
Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Trig point
This Trig Point (or triangulation pillar) is on the highest point of Great Cumbrae island at 417' (127m). The views can be stunning from here apparently - unfortunately this was not the case at the time of our visit as low cloud and rain obscured any such views.
Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - The Glaid Stone The Glaid Stone is a glacial erratic deposited on top of Barbay Hill on Great Cumbrae in the last Ice Age. It is c. 12' (3.6m) long with a cross section of c. 4' x 4' (1.2m x 1.2m)
Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - The Glaid Stone
The Glaid Stone is a glacial erratic deposited on top of Barbay Hill on Great Cumbrae in the last Ice Age. It is c. 12' (3.6m) long with a cross section of c. 4' x 4' (1.2m x 1.2m)
Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Track to the Trig point This track with rough steps leads from a car pull-in on the minor road which climbs up Barbay Hill to the highest point on Great Cumbrae marked by <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7219286">NS1657 : Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Trig point</a>.
Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Track to the Trig point
This track with rough steps leads from a car pull-in on the minor road which climbs up Barbay Hill to the highest point on Great Cumbrae marked by NS1657 : Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Trig point.
Great Cumbrae - View to Minnemoer Minnemoer is a small loch on the slopes of Barbay Hill. It is seen here from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7219837">NS1657 : Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Track to the Trig point</a>
Great Cumbrae - View to Minnemoer
Minnemoer is a small loch on the slopes of Barbay Hill. It is seen here from NS1657 : Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Track to the Trig point
Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Rock of Ages? This boulder, near to both <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7219286">NS1657 : Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Trig point</a> and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7219294">NS1657 : Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - The Glaid Stone</a> has a little plaque attached to it with the heading "Great are the works of the Lord" (a quotation from Psalm 111).
Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Rock of Ages?
This boulder, near to both NS1657 : Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - Trig point and NS1657 : Great Cumbrae - Barbay Hill - The Glaid Stone has a little plaque attached to it with the heading "Great are the works of the Lord" (a quotation from Psalm 111).
Barbay Hill trig point Barbay Hill trig point.
Barbay Hill trig point
Barbay Hill trig point.
Firth Of Clyde : King Of The Hill
Firth Of Clyde : King Of The Hill
Firth Of Clyde : Barbay Hill, Isle of Cumbrae
Firth Of Clyde : Barbay Hill, Isle of Cumbrae
Rocks on beach: Bells Bay Looking to Kilchattan Bay on Bute with the Arran hills behind
Rocks on beach: Bells Bay
Looking to Kilchattan Bay on Bute with the Arran hills behind
Brambles and Marram Grass: Bells Bay With the Toward Point lighthouse in the far distance
Brambles and Marram Grass: Bells Bay
With the Toward Point lighthouse in the far distance
Cattle in long grass On the raised beach behind Bells Bay
Cattle in long grass
On the raised beach behind Bells Bay
Show me another place!

Bell Bay is located at Grid Ref: NS1657 (Lat: 55.777358, Lng: -4.9324642)

Unitary Authority: North Ayrshire

Police Authority: Ayrshire

What 3 Words

///saves.daring.dried. Near Millport, North Ayrshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.777358,-4.9324642
Bench
Backrest: yes
Colour: green
Material: wood
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 55.7777031/-4.9307625
Source: survey
Tourism: picnic_site
Lat/Long: 55.7793403/-4.9311681
Bell Bay
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 55.7774457/-4.9329528
Little Skate Bay
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 55.7807014/-4.9323073
Indian Rock
Alt Name: Indian's Face
Artwork Type: mural
Description: A natural rock formation painted to represent an Indian's face (Native American).
Tourism: artwork
Lat/Long: 55.7769328/-4.9288757
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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