Collie Rocks

Island in Banffshire

Scotland

Collie Rocks

Mouse-ear Hawkweed Hawkweeds, Hawksbeards and Hawkbits all have dandelion-like flowers and are notoriously difficult to tell apart. This is the exception, instantly recognisable because its flowers are lemon-yellow, while all the others are more canary-yellow.
Mouse-ear Hawkweed Credit: Anne Burgess

Collie Rocks is a small island located off the coast of Banffshire, Scotland. Situated in the Moray Firth, it is a picturesque destination known for its rugged beauty and abundant wildlife. The island is approximately 2 miles long and 1 mile wide, with a rocky terrain and cliffs that provide stunning views of the surrounding waters.

One of the main attractions of Collie Rocks is its diverse bird population. The island is a designated nature reserve and is home to a variety of seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Birdwatchers flock to Collie Rocks to observe these magnificent creatures nesting and feeding along the rocky shores.

In addition to its avian inhabitants, Collie Rocks also boasts a rich marine ecosystem. The surrounding waters are teeming with marine life, including seals, dolphins, and even occasional sightings of whales. The island is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts who are drawn to its clear waters and the opportunity to explore the underwater world.

Visitors to Collie Rocks can enjoy scenic walks along the island's coastal paths, taking in the breathtaking views and enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings. The island is accessible by boat, and there are guided tours available for those who wish to learn more about its history and natural wonders.

Overall, Collie Rocks is a hidden gem in Banffshire, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature and experience the untamed beauty of Scotland's coastline.

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Collie Rocks Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.676091/-2.4969227 or Grid Reference NJ7065. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Mouse-ear Hawkweed Hawkweeds, Hawksbeards and Hawkbits all have dandelion-like flowers and are notoriously difficult to tell apart. This is the exception, instantly recognisable because its flowers are lemon-yellow, while all the others are more canary-yellow.
Mouse-ear Hawkweed
Hawkweeds, Hawksbeards and Hawkbits all have dandelion-like flowers and are notoriously difficult to tell apart. This is the exception, instantly recognisable because its flowers are lemon-yellow, while all the others are more canary-yellow.
Loch Craig In the foreground is the sea wall of the Tarlair open-air swimming pool. Loch craig is the sea inlet offshore. The ship is Petronordic, port of registry Nassau, which is a shuttle tanker, gross tonnage 54865.
Loch Craig
In the foreground is the sea wall of the Tarlair open-air swimming pool. Loch craig is the sea inlet offshore. The ship is Petronordic, port of registry Nassau, which is a shuttle tanker, gross tonnage 54865.
House Martin (Delichon urbica) There are half a dozen nests under the roof of the pavilion at the Tarlair swimming pool. Note the bird sitting in this nest, presumably incubating eggs.
House Martin (Delichon urbica)
There are half a dozen nests under the roof of the pavilion at the Tarlair swimming pool. Note the bird sitting in this nest, presumably incubating eggs.
Tarlair Lido, 2022 The monochrome emphasises the current state of disrepair of the pavilion, but that is set to change, as funding has been secured and listed building consent given for its refurbishment starting in 2022.
The Friends of Tarlair <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://friendsoftarlair.co.uk/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://friendsoftarlair.co.uk/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> are working towards making this a vibrant leisure destination once again. The Category A Listed facility deserves nothing less.
Tarlair Lido, 2022
The monochrome emphasises the current state of disrepair of the pavilion, but that is set to change, as funding has been secured and listed building consent given for its refurbishment starting in 2022. The Friends of Tarlair LinkExternal link are working towards making this a vibrant leisure destination once again. The Category A Listed facility deserves nothing less.
Natural sloping slabs at Tarlair At the entrance to the lido.
Natural sloping slabs at Tarlair
At the entrance to the lido.
The road to Tarlair Looking towards Macduff. The building to the right of the road is the Well of Tarlair. It dates from c.1800. The chalybeate waters enjoyed considerable popularity for their medicinal and health giving properties in the NE during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The road to Tarlair
Looking towards Macduff. The building to the right of the road is the Well of Tarlair. It dates from c.1800. The chalybeate waters enjoyed considerable popularity for their medicinal and health giving properties in the NE during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Threading the needle View through the naatural arch known locally as the Needle's Eye
Threading the needle
View through the naatural arch known locally as the Needle's Eye
Tarlair Lido - the swimming pool The lowest of the three pools. The terraces were restored in 2014, and restoration of the pavilion is due to commence in 2022.
Tarlair Lido - the swimming pool
The lowest of the three pools. The terraces were restored in 2014, and restoration of the pavilion is due to commence in 2022.
Tarlair Lido, the three pools Nearest, surrounded by the narrow wall was a paddling pool, the next area being a boating pool with the main swimming pool furthest away. The surrounds of the pools were restored in 2014. The complex Listed Category A.
Tarlair Lido, the three pools
Nearest, surrounded by the narrow wall was a paddling pool, the next area being a boating pool with the main swimming pool furthest away. The surrounds of the pools were restored in 2014. The complex Listed Category A.
Tarlair Lido, view from the east Compare with this view of the lido in its heyday <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://friendsoftarlair.co.uk/welcome-to-friends-of-tarlair/about-us/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://friendsoftarlair.co.uk/welcome-to-friends-of-tarlair/about-us/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Restoration of the pavilion is due to start in 2022. Listed Category A.
Tarlair Lido, view from the east
Compare with this view of the lido in its heyday LinkExternal link Restoration of the pavilion is due to start in 2022. Listed Category A.
Stagecoach Bluebird Macduff Bus Depot
Stagecoach Bluebird Macduff Bus Depot
Rock fall at near Tarlair
Rock fall at near Tarlair
Macduff: a view over the harbour Looking over the harbour from the grassy hilltop to the south, where an anchor is ... anchored, by the <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/451242">NJ7064 : Macduff: parish church</a>.
Macduff: a view over the harbour
Looking over the harbour from the grassy hilltop to the south, where an anchor is ... anchored, by the NJ7064 : Macduff: parish church.
View towards Macduff from Banff beach Macduff parish kirk is prominent on the hill with the unusual war memorial tower to the right.
View towards Macduff from Banff beach
Macduff parish kirk is prominent on the hill with the unusual war memorial tower to the right.
Macduff parish kirk Built 1805 (remodelled 1865) on a dramatic hilltop site overlooking Macduff harbour.  B-listed (LB37616): <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB37616" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB37616">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Macduff parish kirk
Built 1805 (remodelled 1865) on a dramatic hilltop site overlooking Macduff harbour. B-listed (LB37616): LinkExternal link .
Macduff war memorial An unusual and striking war memorial tower erected in 1920 and B-listed (LB37681):  <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB37631" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB37631">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Macduff war memorial
An unusual and striking war memorial tower erected in 1920 and B-listed (LB37681): LinkExternal link .
View of Macduff harbour from Church Street
View of Macduff harbour from Church Street
Macduff town hall, 17 Shore Street The Scottish baronial town hall facing the harbour was designed by Aberdeen architects Pirie and Clyne in 1884 and is B-listed (LB37634): <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB37634" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB37634">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> . Next door is the former Clydesdale Bank and agent's house, also B-listed (LB37635): <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB37635" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB37635">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Macduff town hall, 17 Shore Street
The Scottish baronial town hall facing the harbour was designed by Aberdeen architects Pirie and Clyne in 1884 and is B-listed (LB37634): LinkExternal link . Next door is the former Clydesdale Bank and agent's house, also B-listed (LB37635): LinkExternal link .
Show me another place!

Collie Rocks is located at Grid Ref: NJ7065 (Lat: 57.676091, Lng: -2.4969227)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///chucked.librarian.remarked. Near Macduff, Aberdeenshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.676091,-2.4969227
Source: Old Landsat image trace
Lat/Long: 57.6724195/-2.4921456
Source: Old Landsat image trace
Lat/Long: 57.6727232/-2.4933782
Macduff Shipyards
Contact Website: https://www.macduffshipyards.co.uk/
Shop: boat
Lat/Long: 57.671959/-2.4961504
Princess Royal Basin
Harbour: yes
Lat/Long: 57.6723531/-2.4980931
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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