Castlesea Bay

Bay in Angus

Scotland

Castlesea Bay

Three Sisters Also known as the Camel&#039;s Humps, and the one on the left as the Sphinx, this rib of Old Red Sandstone is at the south end of Carlingheugh Bay. — Three Sisters Credit: Anne Burgess

Castlesea Bay is a picturesque bay located in the county of Angus, Scotland. Situated along the eastern coast of the country, it offers stunning views of the North Sea and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

The bay is characterized by its beautiful sandy beach, which stretches for approximately 1.5 miles. The sand is soft and golden, making it an ideal spot for sunbathing, picnicking, and leisurely walks along the shore. The calm and clear waters of the bay also provide opportunities for swimming and other water activities during the summer months.

Surrounding the bay are rolling green hills, adding to the area's natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy scenic walks along the clifftops, offering panoramic views of the bay and its surroundings. The area is also rich in wildlife, with seabirds such as gulls and puffins often spotted along the coast.

Castlesea Bay is easily accessible, with a car park located nearby and regular bus services connecting it to the nearby town of Arbroath. The bay also has a small café and toilet facilities for the convenience of visitors.

Overall, Castlesea Bay is a charming and tranquil destination, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Whether for a relaxing day at the beach or an exploration of the surrounding countryside, this bay is a must-visit for those seeking to experience the beauty of Angus.

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Castlesea Bay Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.58405/-2.5192425 or Grid Reference NO6843. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Three Sisters

Also known as the Camel's Humps, and the one on the left as the Sphinx, this rib of Old Red Sandstone is at the south end of Carlingheugh Bay.

Anne Burgess

Musical Railings

A much more imaginative way of fencing off a cliff edge than just an ordinary set of railings. Well done to someone for this. See also NO6642 : The Music Notes on the Arbroath Cliff Trail near Castle Gate.

Anne Burgess

Castle Gate

This is the view to seaward after passing through the natural archat Castle Gate. It's another of the collapsed caves that are common along this stretch of cliffs.

Anne Burgess

Castle Gate

This is one of many natural arches in the cliffs between Arbroath and Lunan Bay. The rock is Old Red Sandstone, laid down by rivers in a desert environment in the Devonian, about 400 million years ago. The coarser layers containing pebbles were deposited when there was a more vigorous flow of water, perhaps flash floods following occasional heavy rain, and the finer beds were laid down in times of slack water. See also NO6742 : A geological story revealed by the Three Sisters, Arbroath.

Anne Burgess

Cliffs in Carlingheugh Bay

The cleft in the cliff is a fault which has been exploited by the sea to form the Dark Cave, one of two caves that extend right through the headland to the next bay. The other one, the Light Cave, is further to the right. When you enter the Light cave, you can see the light at the other end, but the Dark Cave is, as its name suggests, completely dark. Bring a torch if you're going to explore it, and mind your head inside. The slightly wavy almost vertical feature next to the cave entrance is a vein of baryte (Barium sulphate, BaSO4, also known as barite and barytes). This has leached out of the sandstone and there are several such veins in the vicinity. Baryte is very dense (about 4½ tonnes per cubic metre, compared with sandstone which has a density of about 2¼ tonnes per cubic metre) and is used to make drilling mud to seal oil wells, and it is the most important ore of barium, which has many uses in medicine, engineering and other fields. See Link

Anne Burgess

Barite Crystals

The white dendritic shapes are crystals of Barium sulphate, BaSO4, also known as barite and baryte, which have leached out from igneous fluids permeating the sandstone. Baryte is very dense (about 4½ tonnes per cubic metre, compared with sandstone which has a density of about 2¼ tonnes per cubic metre) and is used to make drilling mud to seal oil wells, and it is the most important ore of barium, which has many uses in medicine, engineering and other fields. See Link

Anne Burgess

Cove Haven

Cove Haven is separated by the Three Sisters from Carlingheugh Bay.

Anne Burgess

But n Ben restaurant, Auchmithie

Restaurant in a traditional cottage style building at the start of the old part of the clifftop village.

Gordon Hatton

St Peter's Church, Auchmithie

Scottish Episcopal Church situated at the western end of the village.

Gordon Hatton

Across Castlesea Bay

Looking south across the bay to the promontory of Lud Castle, which is an iron age fort.

Gordon Hatton

Harvested field south of Auchmithie

A view from the coast path looking inland across a recently cropped field towards Auchmithie church.

Gordon Hatton

Walking the coast path towards Carlingheugh Bay

Not sure if this is one bay or two as the small rocky promontory centre left appears to form a sort of break.

Gordon Hatton

Devonian sandstone meets the North Sea

The red cliffs of Angus are made from Devonian period sandstone - a sedimentary rock.

Gordon Hatton

Beach at the northern end of Carlingheugh Bay

An ideal lunch spot on a walk from Auchmithie to Arbroath. Sand gives way to pebbles and then a wave cut platform festooned with seaweed. The Dark Cave is prominent in the centre of the picture, formed on a minor fault line.

Gordon Hatton

Lobster fishing off Carlingheugh Bay

Small fishing boat close to shore checking out lobster pots.

Gordon Hatton

Carlingheugh Bay

Looking north along the bay and showing the mix of sand, pebble and rocky ribs extending out into the sea.

Gordon Hatton

Just 70 steps to the top

Stepped path leading up from the beach at Carlingheugh Bay. Such ascents become longer and steeper as one gets older. Both Dark Cave and Light Cave are visible on the headland.

Gordon Hatton