South Lennans

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Wigtownshire

Scotland

South Lennans

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

South Lennans is a prominent coastal feature located in Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It is primarily known for its stunning headland and scenic point, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline.

Situated on the west coast of Scotland, South Lennans is characterized by its rugged and dramatic landscape. The headland, which juts out into the Irish Sea, is formed by layers of sedimentary rocks, creating impressive cliffs that reach heights of up to 50 meters. The exposed nature of the headland makes it a popular spot for birdwatching, with various species of seabirds, such as kittiwakes and fulmars, nesting along the cliffs.

The point at South Lennans provides a vantage point from which visitors can admire the vast expanse of the sea, with clear views of the Isle of Man to the southwest and the Mull of Galloway to the southeast. On a clear day, the point offers a panoramic view of the surrounding coastline, showcasing the diverse and picturesque landscape of Wigtownshire.

Access to South Lennans is relatively easy, with a well-maintained footpath leading visitors to the headland and point. Along the path, visitors may encounter a variety of wildflowers and grasses, adding to the area's natural beauty. The site also offers ample parking facilities and amenities, including picnic areas and information boards that provide insights into the local flora, fauna, and geological formations.

In summary, South Lennans in Wigtownshire is a captivating coastal feature, renowned for its striking headland and picturesque point. With its stunning cliffs, panoramic views, and abundant wildlife, it is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking to experience the rugged beauty of Scotland's west coast.

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South Lennans Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.708229/-4.9595666 or Grid Reference NX0938. 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

Breddock Bay

Breddock Bay taken on a sea kayak trip from East Tarbet to port Logan

Douglas Wilcox

Craig of Dolt

Craig of Dolt is composed of vertical and folded strata of greywacke, a sedimentary rock. The photo was taken in the vicinity of a delightfully named Gobawhilkin, while on a sea kayaking trip from East Tarbet to Port Logan.

Douglas Wilcox

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

Raised beach

The west coast of the Rhins only has isolated lengths of raised beach, and this is a quite spectacular section. Another fine length is at Ardwell bay, NX0745 : Raised beach. The great antiquity of the formation is indicated by the prolific growth of lichen on the cobbles, which shows that it is never moved by wave action. It is distressing to see that this very special formation is being dug for hardcore and destroyed.

Jonathan Wilkins

Moffat shales

Between the major blocks of tilted strata it is common to find outcrops of the Moffat Shales, of Silurian age as are the adjoining Gala and Cairnharrow Group greywackes. It appears that these weak rocks formed detachment surfaces along which there was severe deformation and transport of kilometre-scale blocks of strata. Clanyard Bay was formed by erosion of shattered rock adjacent to one of these major faults, and the striped appearance of this shale outcrop is due to intense deformation and injection of quartz veins into fractures which run parallel to the main fault.

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