Carlin Bed

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Wigtownshire

Scotland

Carlin Bed

Southbound on the Rhins of Galloway Rockhopping on the way into the mouth of Clanyard bay — Southbound on the Rhins of Galloway Credit: Tony Page

Carlin Bed is a prominent coastal feature located in Wigtownshire, Scotland. It is classified as a headland and point due to its unique geographical characteristics. Situated along the picturesque Scottish coastline, Carlin Bed is known for its rugged cliffs and breathtaking views of the surrounding sea.

The headland is formed by the erosion of sedimentary rocks over thousands of years, resulting in steep cliffs that jut out into the ocean. Carlin Bed is primarily composed of sandstone and shale, which give it its distinctive reddish-brown hue.

At the highest point of Carlin Bed, visitors can enjoy panoramic vistas of the sea and the nearby coastline. On clear days, it is even possible to spot distant islands such as the Isle of Man and the Mull of Galloway.

The headland is also home to a diverse range of wildlife. Seabirds, such as gulls and kittiwakes, can often be seen nesting on the cliffs. The surrounding waters are inhabited by various marine creatures, including seals and dolphins, providing ample opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to observe and appreciate nature in its purest form.

Carlin Bed is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The headland offers numerous walking trails that allow visitors to explore its rugged terrain and immerse themselves in its natural beauty. Additionally, the area is a haven for rock climbers, who are drawn to the challenging cliffs that provide an adrenaline-filled experience.

Overall, Carlin Bed is a captivating coastal feature that offers both stunning natural landscapes and a diverse array of wildlife. Its unique geological formations and enchanting vistas make it a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic Scottish coastal experience.

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Carlin Bed Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.717238/-4.9650843 or Grid Reference NX0939. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Southbound on the Rhins of Galloway

Rockhopping on the way into the mouth of Clanyard bay

Tony Page

End of Clifftop Walk from Port Logan

It is rare to see a yellow waymarker pointing straight down. This one means 'turn back'. There is no easy way beyond this point.

Rose and Trev Clough

Path from Cairnywellan Head

An unofficial footpath that comes to an abrupt halt a little further south NX0939 : End of Clifftop Walk from Port Logan .

Rose and Trev Clough

Cliffs overlooking Slate Heugh Bay

The rock is greywacke of Early Silurian age.

Rose and Trev Clough

Slate Heugh Bay

The cliffs here are composed of greywacke, a sedimentary rock, laid down in the Early Silurian period. In the bay a jagged line of upstanding rock crosses the shore from the sea, and appears to continue as a white line all the way up the cliff. This is a later intrusion of hard igneous rock, and is mentioned in the British Geological Survey's excursion guide to the area Link

as "a cross-cutting, Tertiary dolerite dyke".

Rose and Trev Clough

Carlin House Bay

A small bay eroded along the strike of the rather deformed rocks of the turbiditic greywackes of the Clanyard Bay Formation (Gala Group, Silurian). Much interest attaches to the deformation style and stratigraphy of this area, but I did not climb down from the grassy col between the larger and smaller bays.

Jonathan Wilkins

Farm quarry

A convenient source of easily-worked stone. This band of slatey rock, part of the Silurian Gala Group of greywackes, runs across the Rhins and is worked in several places. See NX1139 : Quarry lakes for another. In this image the bedding of the rocks is very clear, steep and northerly, and that is a regional trend reflecting the collision of continents in the Caledonian orogeny.

Jonathan Wilkins

Please shut the gate

An excellent reminder in colloqial Scots that closing the gate behind you is important under all circumstances. The animals that occasion the reminder are clustered on the hill overlooking Port Logan.

Jonathan Wilkins

Junction of the tracks

The way-marked track from Port Logan comes in from the left here, and is signposted towards Cowans. Behind the camera stretches the route to Clanyard and Inshanks, which is the old road.

Jonathan Wilkins

Track to Clanyard

Beyond the limit of fields belonging to Cowans, the track sees little use, but it is a fine walking route. Barncorkrie Moor and Cairn Fell make the far horizon.

Jonathan Wilkins

Track to Port Logan

Looking towards Port Logan on the waymarked track that is the old road from Inshanks and Clanyard. Here it just clips the corner of another square as it makes its lonely way through the fields.

Jonathan Wilkins

Deformed rocks

An outcrop of highly deformed greywacke which is intruded by felsite dykes. These rugged rocks drop steeply to the sea from a pronounced feature known as Carlin House.

Jonathan Wilkins

Calliedown Bay

Looking southwards into this unapproachable bay, with Clanyard Bay behind. Streams are eroding gullies into the soft, glacial deposits above the bedrock.

Jonathan Wilkins

Heathery slope

A wonderful patchwork of colours, with heather blooming among dead bracken fronds and dried grasses.

Jonathan Wilkins

Strones Bay

Patches of rockfall, scree and huge boulders of probable glacial origin make a superb rocky ensemble, with Clanyard Bay to the south.

Jonathan Wilkins

Folded strata

Within the Silurian Gala Group greywackes there are some sections of thinly-bedded strata which show very clearly the pervasive and severe deformation experienced during the Caledonian orogeny. The cliffs here show how tight folding has resulted in detachment and faulting of these incompetent strata. Deep gullies have been eroded by streams descending from the undulating terrain above the cliffs.

Jonathan Wilkins

Tilted strata

In contrast with the folding demonstrated by the section above Strones Bay (NX0938 : Folded strata) The Lennans demonstrate competent strata that are steeply tilted, but flat. Complete beds have simply spalled away to leave clean bedding surfaces, and gaps between the flat slabs give rise to the caves marked on the map, but not visible from above.

Jonathan Wilkins

Cliff fall

The disposition of the strata here show great confusion, and the rock is seriously fractured. It is no surprise to see a fresh rock fall on the north side of Slouchnamorroch Bay. The Mull of Logan juts out in the far distance.

Jonathan Wilkins

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Carlin Bed is located at Grid Ref: NX0939 (Lat: 54.717238, Lng: -4.9650843)

Unitary Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

Police Authority: Dumfries and Galloway