Douniefell

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Kincardineshire

Scotland

Douniefell

Fields and houses at Muchalls
Fields and houses at Muchalls Credit: Mike Pennington

Douniefell is a prominent coastal feature located in the region of Kincardineshire, Scotland. It is an impressive headland that juts out into the North Sea, forming a distinctive point along the coastline. The name "Douniefell" is believed to originate from the Gaelic language, with "dounie" meaning "hill" and "fell" referring to a high, barren landscape.

This headland is characterized by its rugged terrain and steep cliffs that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The cliffs are composed of sedimentary rock, showcasing layers of different geological formations, which are of great interest to geologists and nature enthusiasts alike. The headland is also home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including various seabirds that nest along the cliffs.

The coastal feature of Douniefell offers visitors an opportunity to explore its rugged beauty and experience the power of the North Sea. Walking trails have been established along the headland, allowing hikers to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and observe the abundant wildlife. Additionally, fishing is a popular activity in the surrounding waters, attracting anglers seeking a catch of sea trout or mackerel.

Douniefell is not only a natural attraction but also holds historical significance. The headland served as a lookout point during times of war and is believed to have played a role in coastal defense strategies. The remnants of old fortifications can still be seen, serving as a reminder of the region's rich history.

Overall, Douniefell is a captivating coastal feature, with its dramatic cliffs, diverse wildlife, and historical significance. It offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Scottish coastline and appreciate the historical heritage of the area.

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Douniefell Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.015565/-2.1614495 or Grid Reference NO9091. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fields and houses at Muchalls
Fields and houses at Muchalls
Rocks at Grim Haven
Rocks at Grim Haven
Cliff girt coast at Muchalls
Cliff girt coast at Muchalls
High Speed Train The 14:52 from Aberdeen to King's Cross passes the site of Newtonhill station.
High Speed Train
The 14:52 from Aberdeen to King's Cross passes the site of Newtonhill station.
Newtonhill parish church This modest structure dates from 1987.
Newtonhill parish church
This modest structure dates from 1987.
A92, Nether Mains of Muchalls The A92 is a major highway that runs for 89 miles through Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and Aberdeen City in Scotland. From south to north, it runs from Dunfermline to Blackdog, just north of Aberdeen.
A92, Nether Mains of Muchalls
The A92 is a major highway that runs for 89 miles through Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and Aberdeen City in Scotland. From south to north, it runs from Dunfermline to Blackdog, just north of Aberdeen.
Northbound A92 at Muchalls The A92 is a major highway that runs for 89 miles through Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and Aberdeen City in Scotland. From south to north, it runs from Dunfermline to Blackdog, just north of Aberdeen.
Northbound A92 at Muchalls
The A92 is a major highway that runs for 89 miles through Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and Aberdeen City in Scotland. From south to north, it runs from Dunfermline to Blackdog, just north of Aberdeen.
Houses at Newtonhill Viewed from the A92.
Houses at Newtonhill
Viewed from the A92.
Bridge over the A92 at Newtonhill The A92 is a major highway that runs for 89 miles through Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and Aberdeen City in Scotland. From south to north, it runs from Dunfermline to Blackdog, just north of Aberdeen.
Bridge over the A92 at Newtonhill
The A92 is a major highway that runs for 89 miles through Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and Aberdeen City in Scotland. From south to north, it runs from Dunfermline to Blackdog, just north of Aberdeen.
View from Doonies Point In the foreground are some of the flat-lying rocks north of a zone of intense deformation known as the Steep Belt. Compare this with <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6279535">NO9090 : Folded Rock</a>.
View from Doonies Point
In the foreground are some of the flat-lying rocks north of a zone of intense deformation known as the Steep Belt. Compare this with NO9090 : Folded Rock.
Cliffs at Muchalls A rather misty view north from Doonies Point, where another step, to get into the square, would have sent me hurtling down the cliff!
Cliffs at Muchalls
A rather misty view north from Doonies Point, where another step, to get into the square, would have sent me hurtling down the cliff!
Doonie Point A geo, possibly a collapsed cave, at Doonies Point. Notice that the rock strata are still lying more or less horizontal here.
Doonie Point
A geo, possibly a collapsed cave, at Doonies Point. Notice that the rock strata are still lying more or less horizontal here.
Folded Rock Compare this with <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6279528">NO9090 : Doonie Point</a>, just a few tens of metres away, and note that these strata have been dramatically folded so that some of them are now vertical.
Folded Rock
Compare this with NO9090 : Doonie Point, just a few tens of metres away, and note that these strata have been dramatically folded so that some of them are now vertical.
Tank Traps? These really puzzled us. On several narrow cols between the main cliffs and outlying blocks there are clusters of three concrete blocks exactly like tank traps. We couldn't image how a tank could possibly manage to get up the steep narrow paths to one of these cols, so why the need for the concrete block?
Tank Traps?
These really puzzled us. On several narrow cols between the main cliffs and outlying blocks there are clusters of three concrete blocks exactly like tank traps. We couldn't image how a tank could possibly manage to get up the steep narrow paths to one of these cols, so why the need for the concrete block?
Doonies Point A 'panoramic' view of the cliffs at Doonies Point.
Doonies Point
A 'panoramic' view of the cliffs at Doonies Point.
Douniefell with west entrance to Ship Hole This is a nearly stack/island which is part of the intertidal area below Seacliff, Muchalls. The entry to Ship Hole - shown as a subterranean passage on the 1902 version of the 25 in/mile OS - about central, but in shadow.
The top of Douniefell is a Canmore site 37225 'enclosure', undated so far.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/533882">NO9091 : Coastline from Doonies Point north to Grim Brigs</a> and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/101421">NO9091 : Headland erosion at Muchalls</a> show it from the south. It is a bit easier to spot in the latter, in which its shadow on the cliff to the east (this camera location) makes it easier to pick out. See also the oblique aerial view from the north on Canmore.
Douniefell with west entrance to Ship Hole
This is a nearly stack/island which is part of the intertidal area below Seacliff, Muchalls. The entry to Ship Hole - shown as a subterranean passage on the 1902 version of the 25 in/mile OS - about central, but in shadow. The top of Douniefell is a Canmore site 37225 'enclosure', undated so far. NO9091 : Coastline from Doonies Point north to Grim Brigs and NO9091 : Headland erosion at Muchalls show it from the south. It is a bit easier to spot in the latter, in which its shadow on the cliff to the east (this camera location) makes it easier to pick out. See also the oblique aerial view from the north on Canmore.
Looking through Ship Hole This tunnel runs under Douniefell - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6643758">NO9091 : Douniefell with west entrance to Ship Hole</a> - and is 33m long.
According to the OS namebook, a ship was wrecked at the sea end of this, some time before it was published ca 1870.
Looking through Ship Hole
This tunnel runs under Douniefell - see NO9091 : Douniefell with west entrance to Ship Hole - and is 33m long. According to the OS namebook, a ship was wrecked at the sea end of this, some time before it was published ca 1870.
North entrance to cave on Grum Briggs This looks like two caves, but is technically one because the dividing wall is under the overhanging cliff by 4m - they are joined under that overhang.
The chamber on the right goes in 23m. The passage on the left reaches open air after only 16m. The passage is shown on old maps, but not the chamber beside it.
North entrance to cave on Grum Briggs
This looks like two caves, but is technically one because the dividing wall is under the overhanging cliff by 4m - they are joined under that overhang. The chamber on the right goes in 23m. The passage on the left reaches open air after only 16m. The passage is shown on old maps, but not the chamber beside it.
Show me another place!

Douniefell is located at Grid Ref: NO9091 (Lat: 57.015565, Lng: -2.1614495)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///backed.says.kidney. Near Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire

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Located within 500m of 57.015565,-2.1614495
Source: PGS
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Grim Haven
Natural: bay
Source: NLS-OS-1st_Series
Lat/Long: 57.0176953/-2.159545
Muchalls
Historic Railway: station
Railway: site
Wikidata: Q55624023
Wikipedia: en:Muchalls railway station
Lat/Long: 57.0183158/-2.1632229
Post Box
Post Box Type: lamp
Lat/Long: 57.0187471/-2.1637588
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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