Black Craig

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Black Craig

A90 at Stirling Hill The A90 as it passes between Stirling and Boddam villages. The houses in the foreground have been built along the route of the former Ellon to Boddam railway line, near to its terminus at Boddam, which was located in what was itself the domestic site for RAF Buchan.

Other landmarks to be seen are; the old Doctor&#039;s house off left centred, the now partially restored Buchan Ness Lodge (former residence of Lord Aberdeen) right centred, and of course the lighthouse on Buchan Ness itself. — A90 at Stirling Hill Credit: Iain Smith

Black Craig is a prominent coastal feature located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Situated on the eastern coast, it is a headland that extends out into the North Sea, forming a distinctive point along the coastline. The name "Black Craig" derives from the dark, weathered rock formations that dominate the area.

This headland is known for its rugged and dramatic landscape, with towering cliffs that rise up to 50 meters above sea level. The cliffs are composed of basalt, which has been shaped over thousands of years by the relentless force of the crashing waves. The area is rich in geological heritage, providing a glimpse into Scotland's ancient past.

Visitors to Black Craig are greeted with breathtaking panoramic views of the North Sea, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and photographers. The headland is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including seabirds such as gannets, fulmars, and kittiwakes, which nest along the cliffs.

The coastal path that runs along Black Craig offers visitors the opportunity to explore the area further, with stunning vistas at every turn. However, caution must be exercised when venturing close to the cliff edges, as they can be unstable and dangerous.

Black Craig is a place of natural beauty and historical significance, offering visitors a glimpse into the raw power of nature and the rich biodiversity of the Scottish coastline.

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Black Craig Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.469631/-1.7781363 or Grid Reference NK1342. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A90 at Stirling Hill

The A90 as it passes between Stirling and Boddam villages. The houses in the foreground have been built along the route of the former Ellon to Boddam railway line, near to its terminus at Boddam, which was located in what was itself the domestic site for RAF Buchan. Other landmarks to be seen are; the old Doctor's house off left centred, the now partially restored Buchan Ness Lodge (former residence of Lord Aberdeen) right centred, and of course the lighthouse on Buchan Ness itself.

Iain Smith

Buchan Ness

Buchan Ness lighthouse, Boddam.

Colin Kinnear

Buchan Ness lighthouse

Roger Davies

Long Night Exposure of Rocks in Boddam

A 25 second exposure at dusk of cliff edge and rocks just off Earls Court in Boddam, Aberdeenshire.

Iain Smith

Sandford Bay, Peterhead, from the air

Aerial photo taken from a plane flying between Aberdeen and Sumburgh.

Mike Pennington

Peterhead Power Station at Night

Peterhead's oil and gas fired power station, situated between Peterhead and Boddam. The shot is taken from a scenic viewpoint, unfortunately on the wrong side of the grid square, making this a supplementary entry.

Iain Smith

Stirling Village at Night

The junction between Boddam's Station Road and the A90 as it runs through Stirling Village.

Iain Smith

Peterhead power station

Seen from the sea.

James Allan

Peterhead Power Station

Roger Cornfoot

Inlet near Meackie Point

John Milne in his Celtic Place-names in Aberdeenshire has this to say about the name 'Meackie Point;: cape on the coast of Cruden where there is a fleshy-rooted plant, perhaps Ligusticum Scoticum (lovage Link

) is meant. It was eaten.

Bill Harrison

Waste from Stirling Hill Quarry

Bill Harrison

Highland cows with lighthouse

Highland cows graze near Boddam with Buchan Ness lighthouse in the background. The light was dire and a lot of 'fill light' had to be applied to get a barely presentable photograph.

Bill Harrison

Ruins of Boddam Castle

The castle was built in the 14th or 15th Century for the Keith family but was in ruins by the 18th Century. See Canmore listing 21292 for more: Link

Bill Harrison

Ruins of Boddam Castle

The only substantial remaining feature above foundation level is the former gateway seen here.

Bill Harrison

Buchanmess Cottage, Boddam

The substantial 'cottage', dating from 1840, was designed by John Smith and is B-listed (LB16366 Link

). It was gutted by fire in 1984 but has been partly restored.

Bill Harrison

Inch More with Buchanness Lighthouse in the background

If I understand the Geology of Britain interactive map of the British Geological Society, this is an intrusion of silica poor magma and part of the 'North Britain Late Carboniferous Tholeiitic Suite' being igneous bedrock formed approximately 272 to 331 million years ago in the Permian and Carboniferous Periods. Note the contrast in colour with the grey Peterhead granite either side.

Bill Harrison

Contrasting colourful coastal rocks, Boddam

In the foreground, an outcrop of pink granite of the Peterhead pluton (igneous bedrock formed approximately 419 to 444 million years ago in the Silurian Period) and behind it an igneous intrusion of quartz and micro-gabbro being part of the 'North Britain Late Carboniferous Tholeiitic Suite' formed approximately 272 to 331 million years ago in the Permian and Carboniferous periods. The rock to the right of Buchanness Lighthouse in the distance is felsite being part of the North Britain Siluro-Devonian Calc-alkaline Dyke Suite formed approximately 359 to 444 million years ago in the Devonian and Silurian Periods.

Bill Harrison