The Bield

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Fife

Scotland

The Bield

Simmer Dim at the Low Light, Isle of May The Fife coast extends to Fife Ness in the distance. Mist-nets are erected in the foreground below the old lighthouse for the evening tape-luring of Storm Petrels.
Simmer Dim at the Low Light, Isle of May Credit: Greg Fitchett

The Bield, located in Fife, Scotland, is a prominent coastal feature that is classified as a headland or point. Situated on the eastern coast of Scotland, it juts out into the North Sea, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

The Bield is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which rise steeply from the sea, creating an impressive and dramatic sight. The cliffs are predominantly made up of sandstone, which has been eroded over time by the relentless forces of the ocean waves. This erosion has resulted in the formation of caves, stacks, and other interesting geological features along the coastline.

The headland is also renowned for its diverse wildlife. The Bield is home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, gannets, and fulmars, which nest in the cliffs and can often be observed soaring above the waves. Additionally, seals can sometimes be spotted sunbathing on the rocks or swimming in the surrounding waters.

The Bield attracts visitors from near and far, who come to admire its natural beauty and enjoy the tranquility of the area. It offers fantastic opportunities for hiking and exploring, with several walking trails winding their way along the cliffs, providing breathtaking views of the coastline. The headland also offers an ideal vantage point for watching the sunrise or sunset, as the unobstructed views and open expanse of the North Sea make for a stunning backdrop.

Overall, The Bield is a captivating coastal feature that combines natural beauty, geological interest, and abundant wildlife, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.

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The Bield Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.187405/-2.5561002 or Grid Reference NT6599. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Simmer Dim at the Low Light, Isle of May The Fife coast extends to Fife Ness in the distance. Mist-nets are erected in the foreground below the old lighthouse for the evening tape-luring of Storm Petrels.
Simmer Dim at the Low Light, Isle of May
The Fife coast extends to Fife Ness in the distance. Mist-nets are erected in the foreground below the old lighthouse for the evening tape-luring of Storm Petrels.
Full moon over the May
Full moon over the May
Ghostly Footsteps on Isle of May
Ghostly Footsteps on Isle of May
Looking down on the Beacon The truncated tower of Scotland's oldest lighthouse (the 1636 Beacon) seen from the cupola of the Stevenson-built 1816 Main Light.
Looking down on the Beacon
The truncated tower of Scotland's oldest lighthouse (the 1636 Beacon) seen from the cupola of the Stevenson-built 1816 Main Light.
Fluke Street Looking from the top of the Main Light on the Isle of May towards the buildings in Fluke Street (said to have been so called by naval personnel during WW2, having gained its name from a street in the red-light district of Dundee). The buildings were used to house to fog-horn air compressors and lighthouse personnel. On the left is Kirk Haven, with the ferry from Anstruther moored there and on the right is the white tower of the South Horn.
Fluke Street
Looking from the top of the Main Light on the Isle of May towards the buildings in Fluke Street (said to have been so called by naval personnel during WW2, having gained its name from a street in the red-light district of Dundee). The buildings were used to house to fog-horn air compressors and lighthouse personnel. On the left is Kirk Haven, with the ferry from Anstruther moored there and on the right is the white tower of the South Horn.
Low Light Built in 1844 this light was used by sailors to avoid the Carr Rocks, but was rendered redundant after about 50 years, when a light ship was moored just off the Carr Rocks. The former lighthouse keepers' accommodation is now regularly used by ornithologists.
Low Light
Built in 1844 this light was used by sailors to avoid the Carr Rocks, but was rendered redundant after about 50 years, when a light ship was moored just off the Carr Rocks. The former lighthouse keepers' accommodation is now regularly used by ornithologists.
Grab that serpent Grab handles on the light platform of the Low Light on the Isle of May.
Grab that serpent
Grab handles on the light platform of the Low Light on the Isle of May.
Light casts a shadow The shadow of the Low Light on the Isle of May cast by the sun on the rocks below.
Light casts a shadow
The shadow of the Low Light on the Isle of May cast by the sun on the rocks below.
North end of the island Looking from the top of the Main Light towards the North Horn on the Isle of May. The distant coast is Fife, near Crail, about five miles away.
North end of the island
Looking from the top of the Main Light towards the North Horn on the Isle of May. The distant coast is Fife, near Crail, about five miles away.
Small pond One of the few places where water collects on the Isle of May. The 'lumps' on the far horizon are the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth and Berwick Law in East Lothian.
Small pond
One of the few places where water collects on the Isle of May. The 'lumps' on the far horizon are the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth and Berwick Law in East Lothian.
Can you describe a spiral stairway ... ... without using your hands? The ornate stairway leading up the light tower of the Stevenson-built Main Light on the Isle of May, one of the finest examples of the famous builder's work.
Can you describe a spiral stairway ...
... without using your hands? The ornate stairway leading up the light tower of the Stevenson-built Main Light on the Isle of May, one of the finest examples of the famous builder's work.
South extremity The southernmost tip of the Isle of May.
South extremity
The southernmost tip of the Isle of May.
Rocks and stone walls Walls, presumably constructed by inhabitants of the small village that once existed on the island.
Rocks and stone walls
Walls, presumably constructed by inhabitants of the small village that once existed on the island.
Seabirds on the Pillow A rocky promontory just north of the landing place of Kirk Haven.
Seabirds on the Pillow
A rocky promontory just north of the landing place of Kirk Haven.
Wreck of the Island The Danish steamship Island ran aground on the Isle of May in 1937. Those rusty steel ribs are all that remains of her above water level now. Divers can explore more of her remains between 15 and 29 metres deep in the off-shore waters.
Wreck of the Island
The Danish steamship Island ran aground on the Isle of May in 1937. Those rusty steel ribs are all that remains of her above water level now. Divers can explore more of her remains between 15 and 29 metres deep in the off-shore waters.
Isle Of May: Kirkhaven A view of the narrow inlet which the May Princess negotiates to land passengers on the May.
Isle Of May: Kirkhaven
A view of the narrow inlet which the May Princess negotiates to land passengers on the May.
Isle Of May: Approach To Kirkhaven Quay A view of some of the features of the island including the buildings at 'Fluke Street' centre left and the Main Light right of centre.
Isle Of May: Approach To Kirkhaven Quay
A view of some of the features of the island including the buildings at 'Fluke Street' centre left and the Main Light right of centre.
Isle Of May: The Loch A small artificially-created loch can be found near Fluke Street.
Isle Of May: The Loch
A small artificially-created loch can be found near Fluke Street.
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The Bield is located at Grid Ref: NT6599 (Lat: 56.187405, Lng: -2.5561002)

Unitary Authority: Fife

Police Authority: Fife

What 3 Words

///chapels.stole.challenge. Near Crail, Fife

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Isle of May Lighthouse
Height: 78
Man Made: lighthouse
Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board
Operator Wikidata: Q918253
Seamark Light Character: Fl
Seamark Light Colour: white
Seamark Light Group: 2
Seamark Light Height: 73
Seamark Light Period: 15
Seamark Light Range: 22
Seamark Light Reference: A 3090
Seamark Light Sequence: 0.3+(1.6)+0.3+(12.8)
Seamark Type: light_major
Source: US NGA Pub. 114. 2011-05-26.
Website: https://www.nlb.org.uk/lighthouses/isle-of-may/
Wikidata: Q17817380
Wikipedia: en:Isle of May Lighthouse
Lat/Long: 56.1856454/-2.5574451
Disused Man Made: lighthouse
Old Name: Low Light
Lat/Long: 56.1877826/-2.5574791
Altarstanes
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 56.1888355/-2.5624092
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 56.1842703/-2.5579935
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 56.1829358/-2.5552737
Board Type: history
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 56.1854173/-2.5565788
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 56.1856491/-2.5576067
The Low Light
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 56.1872521/-2.557758
The Main Light
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 56.1855572/-2.5570639
Bishop's Cove
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 56.1860309/-2.5614597
Isle of May
Ele: 50
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 56.1853807/-2.5569907
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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