Garron Point

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Kincardineshire

Scotland

Garron Point

Mains of Cowie The home farm for Cowie House, about 500 metres to the north east. The farmhouse (LB9387 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB9387" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB9387">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ) and extensive steadings to the right (LB9349 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB9349" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB9349">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ) have separate C-listings. In the foreground is the former A92 main road to Aberdeen. — Mains of Cowie Credit: Bill Harrison

Garron Point is a prominent coastal feature located in Kincardineshire, Scotland. It is a headland, often referred to as a point, that juts out into the North Sea. The point is situated approximately 3 miles south of Stonehaven, a small coastal town known for its picturesque views and historic landmarks.

The geography of Garron Point is characterized by steep cliffs that plunge into the sea below, creating a dramatic and rugged coastline. The cliffs are composed mainly of sandstone and shale, showcasing layers of sedimentary rock that have been weathered over time by the relentless action of the waves.

The point itself is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the expansive sea and the nearby Dunnottar Castle, perched on a cliff overlooking the point. The castle is a significant historical site and adds to the allure of the landscape.

The coastal path that winds along Garron Point provides a great opportunity for hikers and walkers to explore the area's natural beauty. It offers glimpses of various seabirds that nest along the cliffs, such as puffins, guillemots, and gulls. Additionally, the point is known for its diverse marine life, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving.

Overall, Garron Point in Kincardineshire is a striking headland that showcases Scotland's rugged coastal beauty. Its towering cliffs, stunning views, and abundant wildlife make it a must-visit destination for those seeking an immersive experience in nature.

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Garron Point Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.980394/-2.1759397 or Grid Reference NO8987. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Mains of Cowie

The home farm for Cowie House, about 500 metres to the north east. The farmhouse (LB9387 Link

) and extensive steadings to the right (LB9349 Link

) have separate C-listings. In the foreground is the former A92 main road to Aberdeen.

Bill Harrison

Former A92 road

This was once the main road from Stonehaven to Aberdeen but has been downgraded since the Stonehaven by-pass was built.

Bill Harrison

Geological interest at Cowie

Cliffs of the Cowie red sandstone formation (sedimentary bedrock formed approximately 426 to 431 million years ago in the Silurian Period) face onto a wave-cut platform of interbedded Castle Of Cowie sandstone and siltstone, formed at the same time. In the foreground, much darker rocks of an intrusion of igneous magma, being part of the North Britain Siluro-Devonian calc-alkaline dyke suite: quartz, feldspar and porphyry formed approximately 359 to 444 million years ago in the Devonian and Silurian Periods. All this happened when the land mass that was to become Scotland was south of the equator.

Bill Harrison

Scene at the Old Kirk Shore

Red sandstone cliffs and boulders and a wave-cut platform of interbedded sandstone and mudstone.

Bill Harrison

Eroded sandstone cliff at the Old Kirk Shore

Bill Harrison

Wave-cut platform, Old Kirk Shore

The interbedded sandstone and mudstone strata have been turned by 90 degrees and eroded to give a striking effect.

Bill Harrison

Colourful sandstone cliff, Old Kirk Shore

The ruin of St Mary's Church can just be seen on the hill in the background.

Bill Harrison

Wave-cut platform

The vertical strata of sandstone and mudstone can be clearly seen in the blown-up photo.

Bill Harrison

Clubhouse, Stonehaven Golf Club

Bill Harrison

Ruin of St Mary's Chapel, Cowie

The chapel associated with Cowie Castle was built in the 13th Century and suppressed after the Reformation although burials continued until the 20th Century. Scheduled Monument SM5584 Link

Bill Harrison

Dead-house, St Mary's Chapel, Cowie

The vaulted structure (also called a mort house) in the foreground was built to foil body snatchers supplying corpses to the anatomy schools at the universities in Aberdeen in the early 19th Century. B-listed: LB9383 Link

Bill Harrison

Memorial to the Stonehaven lifeboat disaster

Four of the crew of the lifeboat St George drowned while trying to enter Aberdeen Harbour after going to assist Grace Darling of Blyth, which foundered between Stonehaven and Aberdeen on 27 February 1874.

Bill Harrison

Road to nowhere

This was once the main A92 road from Stonehaven to Aberdeen, but when the Stonehaven bypass was built, it was reconfigured as a southbound exit only from the bypass and the left-hand (northbound) lane ends in a turning loop a few hundred metres farther on, hence the 'no through road' sign.

Bill Harrison

Luxury lodges

Coastal holiday lodges, which seem to be associated with Stonehaven Golf Club.

Bill Harrison

Start of the cycle path

What was once the A92 main road from Stonehaven to Aberdeen has been reconfigured as an exit from the Stonehaven bypass (left-hand lane in the photo) and a somewhat lavish and little used cycle path to the right. They are separated by 'Armco' crash barriers.

Bill Harrison