Cow and Calves

Island in Midlothian

Scotland

Cow and Calves

Inchmickery Island Partly demolished wartime jetty, fortifications and military buildings on island in the Firth of Forth — Inchmickery Island Credit: James Allan

Cow and Calves, Midlothian (Island), is a small uninhabited island located in the Firth of Forth, off the coast of East Lothian, Scotland. The island is commonly referred to as "the Cow and Calves," owing to its distinctive rock formations that resemble a cow and two calves.

Situated approximately 2 kilometers east of North Berwick, the island spans about 800 meters in length and 300 meters in width. Composed largely of sandstone, the island's prominent cliffs rise up to 20 meters above sea level, providing nesting sites for various seabird species, including guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars.

Access to Cow and Calves is primarily by boat, with several tour operators offering trips to the island during the breeding season. Visitors can witness the abundant wildlife and observe the diverse marine ecosystem surrounding the island. The surrounding waters are also frequented by seals, dolphins, and occasionally whales, adding to the attraction for nature enthusiasts.

Despite its small size, Cow and Calves has played a significant role in local folklore and history. Legends tell of smugglers using the island as a hiding place for their illicit activities, taking advantage of its secluded location and treacherous waters. The island's unique rock formations have also inspired artists and photographers, drawing them to capture the beauty of this natural wonder.

As a protected site, Cow and Calves, Midlothian (Island), offers a picturesque destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a tranquil escape amidst the rugged beauty of Scotland's coastline.

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Cow and Calves Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.015776/-3.2744708 or Grid Reference NT2081. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Inchmickery Island

Partly demolished wartime jetty, fortifications and military buildings on island in the Firth of Forth

James Allan

Inchmickery

Inchmickery against an Edinburgh City Skyline. A viewbag of the first order. Islands of the Forth: Link

Simon Johnston

Oxcars Lighthouse from the shore

Islands of Car Craig, Oxcars (lighthouse), Cow & Calves, Inchmickery in the background. Aberdour Sailing Club incidentally in foreground. Most suitable weather vane atop the clubhouse. Blatant viewbag but intended only as a supplemental.

Simon Johnston

Inchmickery

The island showing its profile as a warship which it was made to look like to fool the enemy during the war.

Kevin Rae

The Oxcars Lighthouse

Photo taken from the Maid of the Forth

Kevin Rae

Inchmickery from Inchcolm

Inchmickery and Edinburgh, natural light no filters - my blue period.

Alan Stewart

Jetty on Inchmickery

Used for unloading supplies for the military garrison on Inchmickery - note railway track for heavier items. Forth Railway Bridge in the distance.

J M Briscoe

Inchmickery, looking towards the Fife coast

Any blurring is because of sustained attack from sea gulls. They were making it clear they didn't appreciate my presence.

Iain McB

Inchmickery From Cramond

Taken from Cramond; Inchmickery and Burntisland form the background. The little power boats that can be seen are competitors in the "round Britain" race.

Allister Combe

Fortifications on Inchmickery

Military buildings dating from WW1 and WW2 dominate the skyline of Inchmickery. With a little imagination the fortifications can be seen as making the island resemble a WW2 vintage battleship and it is sometimes claimed this was deliberately done in an attempt to trick enemy U-boats into trying to torpedo it.

James Allan

Inchmickery from Silverknowes

The extensive WW2 fortifications remain.

Mike Pennington

Common Seals on deep channel marker buoy

Navigation buoy in the Firth of Forth. The Common Seals Link

seem to like these: Link These catmarkers occasionally attract Grey Seals too: Link

Simon Johnston

Oxcars Lighthouse

At high tide these rocks are covered Link

Simon Johnston

Oxcars Lighthouse

At high tide these rocks are covered. Link

Simon Johnston

Cow and Calves

View from the south of Inchclom toward the Cow and Calves against the Leith coastline.

Simon Johnston

Inchmickery and seabirds

With the nesting season underway the Forth was busy with lesser black-backed and herring gulls, kittiwakes, common terns, razorbills, shags, puffins and gannets, of which mainly gulls are visible on the military ruins here.

Jim Barton

Inchmickery

Inchmickery is a small island in the Firth of Forth. During World War II the island was used as a gun emplacement. From a distance, the concrete buildings make the island look like a battleship. According to the tour guide, this was done deliberately to confuse any enemy submarines which ventured into the Forth. The island is now an RSPB reserve.

David Dixon

Oxcars Lighthouse

This small lighthouse which sits on the small rock of Oxcars in the middle of the estuary of the River Forth. Between the islands of Inchcolm and Inchmickery. It was designed by Thomas and David A Stevenson for the Northern Lighthouse Board and was first lit in 1886. Originally lit by an oil burner and manned by two keepers, it was the first ever lighthouse in Scotland to be automated when in 1894; at that time it was controlled by a clockwork timer and was powered using gas delivered weekly. Oxcars Lighthouse is a Category B listed building (Historic Scotland LB49687 Link

David Dixon

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Cow and Calves is located at Grid Ref: NT2081 (Lat: 56.015776, Lng: -3.2744708)

Unitary Authority: City of Edinburgh

Police Authority: Edinburgh