Carrick Point

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Carrick Point

Inlet, Knockbrex Bay Rock outcrops, almost covered by turf, at the side of an inlet on Knockbrex Bay. Knockbrex House can be seen over the coastal fields. — Inlet, Knockbrex Bay Credit: Jonathan Wilkins

Carrick Point is a prominent headland located in Kirkcudbrightshire, a historic county in the southwest of Scotland. Situated along the picturesque Solway Firth coastline, this coastal feature offers breathtaking views and a unique landscape.

Rising to an elevation of approximately 50 meters, Carrick Point boasts rugged cliffs that stretch out into the sea, forming a distinct point that juts out into the water. The headland is composed of a combination of rock types, including sandstone and shale, which gives it a varied and visually striking appearance.

The headland is surrounded by a diverse ecosystem, with abundant flora and fauna. The cliffs provide nesting sites for seabirds such as fulmars and kittiwakes, while the surrounding waters are home to a variety of marine life, including seals and dolphins. The headland also offers a habitat for various coastal plants and wildflowers, adding to its natural beauty.

Carrick Point is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy spectacular walks along the coastal path that runs along the edge of the headland, offering panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and the Irish Sea. The headland is also a great spot for birdwatching, with the opportunity to observe a wide range of seabird species in their natural habitat.

Overall, Carrick Point stands as a captivating coastal feature, combining stunning geological formations, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking views, making it a must-visit location for anyone exploring the Kirkcudbrightshire coastline.

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Carrick Point Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.829287/-4.2210479 or Grid Reference NX5750. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Inlet, Knockbrex Bay

Rock outcrops, almost covered by turf, at the side of an inlet on Knockbrex Bay. Knockbrex House can be seen over the coastal fields.

Jonathan Wilkins

Folded strata

Rock outcrops on the shore are bedded greywackes belonging to the Kirkmaiden Formation, of Silurian (Llandovery) age. Their hardness and resistance to erosion is due to their state of metamorphism through deep burial during continental collision. The folding demonstrated here was caused by differential movement along faults separating adjacent slices of sediments as they were scraped off a descending oceanic plate (an "accretionary prism").

Jonathan Wilkins

Upright strata

Large areas of the foreshore here comprise vertically disposed beds of Silurian greywacke which show only gentle folding. See also NX5749 : Folded strata for an interpretation of the disposition and nature of the rocks here.

Jonathan Wilkins

Coastal pasture, Knockbrex

Richard Webb

Murray's Isle South

Taken far out from Carrick Bay, at the turn of a Spring Low Tide, late on a September evening 2023. The predicted tide height for low water was 1.8m. It was possible to walk further out to the isle although slightly deeper than my wellingtons would allow.

Steve Houldsworth

Low tide near Ardwall Isle

Two men on the east side of Ardwall Isle were taking advantage of an evening low tide to collect some whelks.

Walter Baxter

Unused gate

Unused gate on the Knockbrex Estate.

Chris McAuley

Ardwall Isle

This is at the southwest corner of the small tidal island in Wigtown Bay looking over to Murray’s Isles.

Walter Baxter

Navigation pillars at Knockbrex Bay

Three pillars in the bay act as navigation markers for a small harbour at Knockbrex. This was viewed at low tide.

Walter Baxter

A cairn on Ardwall Isle

The cairn at 34m marks the high spot of this small tidal island in Wigtown Bay.

Walter Baxter

Ardwall Isle

This is at the southwest edge of this small tidal island in Wigtown Bay at low tide.

Walter Baxter

A navigation pillar at Knockbrex Bay

This is one of three pillars that act as navigation markers for a small harbour at Knockbrex. For a view of all three pillars, see NX5849 : Navigation pillars at Knockbrex Bay.

Walter Baxter

A navigation pillar at Knockbrex Bay

This is one of three pillars that act as navigation markers for a small harbour at Knockbrex. The harbour is just out of shot to the right. For a view of all three pillars, see NX5849 : Navigation pillars at Knockbrex Bay.

Walter Baxter