Airds Point

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Airds Point

Shore with boulders Rounded glacial boulders, many of granite, are a feature of the upper shore at Lochenling. — Shore with boulders Credit: Jonathan Wilkins

Airds Point is a prominent headland located in the county of Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Situated along the picturesque coastline, it extends into the Solway Firth, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area. With its rugged cliffs and stunning natural beauty, Airds Point is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers.

The headland is characterized by its rocky terrain, which is covered in lush green vegetation and dotted with wildflowers during the summer months. The diverse ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife, including seabirds such as gannets, kittiwakes, and cormorants, which can often be spotted nesting along the cliffs.

Airds Point also boasts a rich history, with evidence of human activity dating back thousands of years. Archaeological discoveries in the area have uncovered ancient burial mounds and remnants of Iron Age settlements, indicating that the headland has been inhabited since ancient times.

The headland offers several walking trails that allow visitors to explore its natural wonders up close. These trails provide access to secluded beaches and hidden coves, where one can relax and enjoy the tranquility of the coastal setting. Additionally, Airds Point serves as a vantage point for observing marine life, with occasional sightings of seals, dolphins, and porpoises in the surrounding waters.

Overall, Airds Point is a captivating coastal feature that combines natural beauty, wildlife diversity, and historical significance. Its breathtaking vistas and serene ambiance make it a must-visit destination for those seeking an immersive experience in the stunning Scottish countryside.

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Airds Point Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.81664/-3.8361253 or Grid Reference NX8248. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Shore with boulders

Rounded glacial boulders, many of granite, are a feature of the upper shore at Lochenling.

Jonathan Wilkins

Sea kale

A fabulous specimen of sea kale, Crambe maritima, growing amid boulders above the tide line. Other seedlings were dotted about nearby on the edge of the raised beach.

Jonathan Wilkins

Rock outcrops

Rock outcrops here belong to the Rascarrel member of the Fell Sandstone Formation which are of Carboniferous (Arundian to Holkerian) age. Rapid variation in the composition and grain size of these sandstones and conglomerates are due to very active faulting on the edge of the Solway Basin, but prominent among recognisable clasts are lumps of granitic rock from the weathering of the nearby intrusion. The camera location is a stack which is above the tide level and has a thick encrustation of lichens, mostly yellow Caloplaca.

Jonathan Wilkins

Path to Loch Mackie

Rampant bracken has taken hold following the felling of adjacent forestry, but isolated rowans have good colour with abundant berries.

Jonathan Wilkins

Rock outcrops

Low rock outcrops on the edge of the raised beach comprise dipping beds of sandstone belonging to the Rascarrel Member of the Fell Sandstone Formation. In the background is the steep, seaward face of Airds Heugh.

Jonathan Wilkins

Boulder shore

The shore here comprises an extraordinary carpet of equal-sized boulders of glacial origin which are the residua of former deposits of till, or boulder clay. It is part of the discontinuous raised beach which is particularly prominent through the west of the southern Scottish coast. See also, for example NX1239 : Bouldery beach.

Jonathan Wilkins

Balcary Bay Hotel

'The Balcary Bay Country House Hotel which takes its name from the stunningly beautiful bay that overlooks the Solway with the Cumbrian mountains in the distance. Each day brings a different colour spectrum to this wonderful vista. Each night brings forth a romantic moon shimmering across the waters.' Link

Viewed from the top of Balcary Hill.

Russel Wills

Newly cut grass fields

Some grass has been baled. Airds Farm under Big Airds Hill in the background.

Russel Wills

No they are not sheep!

The grass in the foreground has been cut and put into bales covered with white plastic. In the background, looking like a grass maze, the grass has been cut and the machine to gather it and blow it into trailers waits for a trailer.

Russel Wills

Rocks on the foreshore of Auchencairn Bay

The various post on the beach are the remnants of salmon fishing nets. How it might have looked. Link and Link Hestan Island in the bay.

Russel Wills

Balcary Tower

'Balcary Tower was built around 1860 by Colonel Johnstone, the Laird of Auchencairn House, it is believed for his French governess and mistress. The Tower was extended in the 1960s and again in the 1970s and mostly recently was entirely professionally refurbished in 2012.' Link

Link

Russel Wills

View from the carpark

Over the white plastic wrapped bales of grass.

Russel Wills

Agricultural traffic hazard

This is one of the large tractors with a trailer load of freshly cut grass. They were moving in a convoy of four down to the fields to collect the loads and then back up the narrow road with few passing places.

Russel Wills