Carrick Neck

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Carrick Neck

Inlet, Knockbrex Bay Rock outcrops, almost covered by turf, at the side of an inlet on Knockbrex Bay. Knockbrex House can be seen over the coastal fields. — Inlet, Knockbrex Bay Credit: Jonathan Wilkins

Carrick Neck is a coastal marsh and saltings located in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Nestled between the towns of Kirkcudbright and Gatehouse of Fleet, this area is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and diverse ecosystem.

The marshland stretches across an area of approximately 2 square kilometers and is characterized by its low-lying, flat terrain. It is intersected by several small channels and creeks that meander through the landscape, creating a labyrinthine network of waterways. These channels are influenced by the tidal movements of the nearby Irish Sea, resulting in a dynamic and ever-changing environment.

Carrick Neck's unique geographical features make it a haven for a wide variety of plant and animal species. The marshland is home to numerous salt-tolerant plants, such as sea lavender, glasswort, and cordgrass, which thrive in the saline conditions. These plants, in turn, provide a valuable habitat for many bird species, including oystercatchers, redshanks, and curlews. It is also a popular spot for birdwatchers, who come to observe the migratory patterns of various wading birds.

Due to its ecological significance, Carrick Neck is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and forms part of the wider Fleet Valley National Scenic Area. It offers opportunities for leisure activities such as walking, nature photography, and wildlife observation. The marshland's tranquil atmosphere and picturesque landscapes make it a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking a peaceful escape in nature.

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Carrick Neck Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.830877/-4.2186439 or Grid Reference NX5750. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Inlet, Knockbrex Bay

Rock outcrops, almost covered by turf, at the side of an inlet on Knockbrex Bay. Knockbrex House can be seen over the coastal fields.

Jonathan Wilkins

Folded strata

Rock outcrops on the shore are bedded greywackes belonging to the Kirkmaiden Formation, of Silurian (Llandovery) age. Their hardness and resistance to erosion is due to their state of metamorphism through deep burial during continental collision. The folding demonstrated here was caused by differential movement along faults separating adjacent slices of sediments as they were scraped off a descending oceanic plate (an "accretionary prism").

Jonathan Wilkins

Upright strata

Large areas of the foreshore here comprise vertically disposed beds of Silurian greywacke which show only gentle folding. See also NX5749 : Folded strata for an interpretation of the disposition and nature of the rocks here.

Jonathan Wilkins

Coastal pasture, Knockbrex

Richard Webb

Murray's Isle South

Taken far out from Carrick Bay, at the turn of a Spring Low Tide, late on a September evening 2023. The predicted tide height for low water was 1.8m. It was possible to walk further out to the isle although slightly deeper than my wellingtons would allow.

Steve Houldsworth

Low tide near Ardwall Isle

Two men on the east side of Ardwall Isle were taking advantage of an evening low tide to collect some whelks.

Walter Baxter

Unused gate

Unused gate on the Knockbrex Estate.

Chris McAuley

Ardwall Isle

This is at the southwest corner of the small tidal island in Wigtown Bay looking over to Murray’s Isles.

Walter Baxter

Navigation pillars at Knockbrex Bay

Three pillars in the bay act as navigation markers for a small harbour at Knockbrex. This was viewed at low tide.

Walter Baxter

A cairn on Ardwall Isle

The cairn at 34m marks the high spot of this small tidal island in Wigtown Bay.

Walter Baxter

Ardwall Isle

This is at the southwest edge of this small tidal island in Wigtown Bay at low tide.

Walter Baxter

A navigation pillar at Knockbrex Bay

This is one of three pillars that act as navigation markers for a small harbour at Knockbrex. For a view of all three pillars, see NX5849 : Navigation pillars at Knockbrex Bay.

Walter Baxter

A navigation pillar at Knockbrex Bay

This is one of three pillars that act as navigation markers for a small harbour at Knockbrex. The harbour is just out of shot to the right. For a view of all three pillars, see NX5849 : Navigation pillars at Knockbrex Bay.

Walter Baxter