Craig Duff

Island in Banffshire

Scotland

Craig Duff

Coastal path, by East Head A narrow path, along the slope. — Coastal path, by East Head Credit: Craig Wallace

Craig Duff is a small island located off the coast of Banffshire, Scotland. Situated in the North Sea, it is part of the Inner Moray Firth and lies approximately 2.5 miles northeast of Portsoy. The island spans an area of about 34 acres and is renowned for its natural beauty and rich wildlife.

Craig Duff is characterized by its rugged coastline, featuring towering cliffs and rocky shores that provide a habitat for various seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and fulmars. The island is also home to a diverse range of flora, with grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers adorning its landscape.

Access to Craig Duff is limited due to its remote location and lack of infrastructure. However, the island is a popular destination for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers who appreciate its unspoiled charm. Its isolation from the mainland allows visitors to experience a sense of tranquility and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Although there are no permanent residents on Craig Duff, the island has a rich history. It was once used as a grazing ground for livestock and was inhabited by shepherds. Ruins of old stone structures can still be found, serving as a reminder of the island's past.

In summary, Craig Duff is a picturesque island off the coast of Banffshire, Scotland, offering stunning natural landscapes, an array of wildlife, and a peaceful retreat for those seeking solitude amidst nature's beauty.

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Craig Duff Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.687034/-2.6881016 or Grid Reference NJ5966. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Coastal path, by East Head

A narrow path, along the slope.

Craig Wallace

Rocky coastline, East Head

Craig Wallace

Site of Coastguard Lookout Hut, East Head

Marked with white posts and a sign. Another view. NJ6066 : Site of Coastguard lookout hut

Craig Wallace

View from East Head

Looking east along the coast.

John M

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

2017 has been a good year for Red Admirals. I don't think I have ever seen so many before.

Anne Burgess

Minor road heading east from Portsoy

This is shown on my map as the B9139, but I think that an alternative route a bit further south has now been classified as such.

David Purchase

East Head

A calm sunny morning in second half of April near Portsoy. Perfect setting for finding White-billed Divers sat on the sea, with nine seen between here and West Head. This species was formerly considered a rarity but can now be found along this stretch of coast in spring (maybe they were always here). See NJ5966 : White-billed Diver (Gavia adamsii)

Hugh Venables

Site of Coastguard lookout hut

On East Head looking back towards Portsoy.

Hugh Venables

Durn House Stables

"At Risk" Grade B Listed: Link

valenta

Portsoy Cemetery

valenta

White-billed Diver (Gavia adamsii)

According to at least one bird book, the White-billed Diver occurs only as a vagrant in British waters. However it has become known that they occur regularly offshore from Portsoy, and we went to look for them. We saw nine altogether. The four-figure grid reference is because they were in fact further offshore than this square, in squares that are all at sea.

Anne Burgess

Guillemots (Uria aalge)

Probably the commonest auk in Britain, Guillemots nest colonially on cliff ledges all along the Moray Firth coast.

Anne Burgess

Portsoy Old Harbour

Digging out a section of the harbour to make a deeper berth for one of the old boats due at The Boat Festival

Peter Aikman

Wire Dolphin

A sculpture overlooking the old harbour of Portsoy.

Andrew Wood

Isabella Fortuna

Although Wick based the Isabella represents the fishing vessel of the type that fished out of the moray ports in their prime. She is berthed on the west wall of the old harbour with the Shorehead buildings behind.Taken during the ammual boat festival.

Andrew Wood

By the North Wall

Tied to the face of the Old Harbour north wall two boats, the black hulled from Portsoy the red the 'Girl Lesley' from Sandend. Both are wooden hulled fishing vessels from Moray ports.

Andrew Wood