Spectacle

Island in Angus

Scotland

Spectacle

Second Knowes The beach at the Second Knowes is covered with large boulders. On the left is a sea stack of volcanic rock. — Second Knowes Credit: Anne Burgess

Spectacle, Angus is a small island located off the northeast coast of Scotland, in the North Sea. It is part of the Angus council area and is situated about 1.5 miles east of Arbroath. The island covers an area of approximately 8 acres and is accessible by boat.

The island gets its name from its unique shape, which resembles a pair of spectacles when viewed from above. It is composed of sandstone and is characterized by rugged cliffs and rocky shores, offering stunning views of the surrounding sea and coastline.

Spectacle, Angus is home to a variety of wildlife, including seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. The island is also a breeding ground for grey seals, which can often be spotted lounging on the rocks or swimming in the waters nearby.

Historically, Spectacle, Angus has been used for fishing and as a navigation aid for ships entering the nearby Arbroath Harbor. It is also rumored to have been a hiding place for smugglers in the past.

Today, the island is primarily a tourist attraction, offering visitors a chance to explore its natural beauty and observe the diverse range of wildlife. Boat trips are available for those wishing to visit the island, and guided tours provide interesting insights into its history and ecology.

In conclusion, Spectacle, Angus is a picturesque island off the coast of Scotland, known for its unique shape, stunning views, and abundant wildlife.

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Spectacle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.627029/-2.4813193 or Grid Reference NO7048. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Second Knowes The beach at the Second Knowes is covered with large boulders. On the left is a sea stack of volcanic rock.

Second Knowes

The beach at the Second Knowes is covered with large boulders. On the left is a sea stack of volcanic rock.

Second Knowes The west end of the beach is made up of pebbles and cobbles, and supports a variety of plants including Sea Mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum).

Second Knowes

The west end of the beach is made up of pebbles and cobbles, and supports a variety of plants including Sea Mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum).

The Knowes at Sunset The setting sun has tinged the red volcanic rocks with pink.

The Knowes at Sunset

The setting sun has tinged the red volcanic rocks with pink.

Interesting Clouds Wispy Cirrus clouds being blown about above the Knowes, with a contrail through the middle of the view.

Interesting Clouds

Wispy Cirrus clouds being blown about above the Knowes, with a contrail through the middle of the view.

Second Knowes Or, to be more precise, the boulder beach beside the Second Knowes. Oddly, it never seems to become covered with seaweed, even in the lowest part of the intertidal zone.

Second Knowes

Or, to be more precise, the boulder beach beside the Second Knowes. Oddly, it never seems to become covered with seaweed, even in the lowest part of the intertidal zone.

Rocky Shore The all the rocks here are volcanic and red in colour. The pale creamy colour of the ones in the middle is a thick crust of millions of barnacles, and the furthest ones are covered in dark seaweeds.

Rocky Shore

The all the rocks here are volcanic and red in colour. The pale creamy colour of the ones in the middle is a thick crust of millions of barnacles, and the furthest ones are covered in dark seaweeds.

Ancient Lava These rocks are part of the Ethie Lavas, which belong to the Montrose Volcanics, and were erupted about 400 million years ago.

Ancient Lava

These rocks are part of the Ethie Lavas, which belong to the Montrose Volcanics, and were erupted about 400 million years ago.

Sea Lion Rock With the eye of imagination, the pillar on the right looks like a sea lion propping itself up on its front flippers. In the background is the north end of the beach at Lunan Bay.

Sea Lion Rock

With the eye of imagination, the pillar on the right looks like a sea lion propping itself up on its front flippers. In the background is the north end of the beach at Lunan Bay.

Sitka Spruce (Picea abies) Young cones developing.

Sitka Spruce (Picea abies)

Young cones developing.

The View from Red Head The neat headland, with the sloping island rock at its foot, is East Comb. You can get a kayak through the narrow gap when the tide is high enough. The next island rock is Marshall&#039;s Craig, and the peninsula beyond it is Auld Mains, a popular spot for fishing. On the far side of Lunan Bay is Scurdie Ness and, the Kincardineshire coast between St Cyrus and Inverbervie is in the far distance.

The View from Red Head

The neat headland, with the sloping island rock at its foot, is East Comb. You can get a kayak through the narrow gap when the tide is high enough. The next island rock is Marshall's Craig, and the peninsula beyond it is Auld Mains, a popular spot for fishing. On the far side of Lunan Bay is Scurdie Ness and, the Kincardineshire coast between St Cyrus and Inverbervie is in the far distance.

Red Head Triangulation Pillar The trig point is 81 metres above sea level. A path goes along the margin of the field. This was part of the waymarked Angus coastal path, but concerns for safety led to the waymarked route being diverted away from the cliffs altogether. Long before the development of the waymarked path, the actual path used to go along the cliffs outside the cultivated land altogether, but this probably wasn&#039;t very safe as the cliff edge is crumbling, and the old path is now overgrown and pretty much unusuable.

Red Head Triangulation Pillar

The trig point is 81 metres above sea level. A path goes along the margin of the field. This was part of the waymarked Angus coastal path, but concerns for safety led to the waymarked route being diverted away from the cliffs altogether. Long before the development of the waymarked path, the actual path used to go along the cliffs outside the cultivated land altogether, but this probably wasn't very safe as the cliff edge is crumbling, and the old path is now overgrown and pretty much unusuable.

Remains of a Dyke The drystane dyke between the cliff edge and the arable fields has fallen to form what looks like a series of unstable pillars.

Remains of a Dyke

The drystane dyke between the cliff edge and the arable fields has fallen to form what looks like a series of unstable pillars.

Soay Sheep A flock of Soay sheep grazes the cliff top and slopes between Lang Craig and Prail Castle. They are pretty wild and always flee when anyone approaches.

Soay Sheep

A flock of Soay sheep grazes the cliff top and slopes between Lang Craig and Prail Castle. They are pretty wild and always flee when anyone approaches.

Irrigation The eastern coastal fringe of Scotland has an average annual rainfall similar to that of parts of Kent and East Anglia, but most of the rain falls in the autumn and winter, so irrigation has long been a feature of farming here. This installation is providing water for a crop of potatoes.

Irrigation

The eastern coastal fringe of Scotland has an average annual rainfall similar to that of parts of Kent and East Anglia, but most of the rain falls in the autumn and winter, so irrigation has long been a feature of farming here. This installation is providing water for a crop of potatoes.

Irrigation The eastern coastal fringe of Scotland has an average annual rainfall similar to that of parts of Kent and East Anglia, but most of the rain falls in the autumn and winter, so irrigation has long been a feature of farming here. This installation is providing water for a crop of potatoes.

Irrigation

The eastern coastal fringe of Scotland has an average annual rainfall similar to that of parts of Kent and East Anglia, but most of the rain falls in the autumn and winter, so irrigation has long been a feature of farming here. This installation is providing water for a crop of potatoes.

Red Head, Marshall's Craig and Auld Mains, Angus The foreground of the photo shows the promontory of Red Head where archaeological fieldwork in 1961 revealed the site of what is thought to be an Iron Age fort.
Using a direct line of sight over the seaward extremity of Red Head, the small east-northeast trending Marshall&#039;s Island can be seen. In the distance, beyond Marshall&#039;s Island, lies the peninsula of Auld Mains. According to Scotland&#039;s Places, Auld Mains is the &quot;name applied to the furthest projecting point of Rock Skelly. It is very remarkable from the sea.&quot;

Red Head, Marshall's Craig and Auld Mains, Angus

The foreground of the photo shows the promontory of Red Head where archaeological fieldwork in 1961 revealed the site of what is thought to be an Iron Age fort. Using a direct line of sight over the seaward extremity of Red Head, the small east-northeast trending Marshall's Island can be seen. In the distance, beyond Marshall's Island, lies the peninsula of Auld Mains. According to Scotland's Places, Auld Mains is the "name applied to the furthest projecting point of Rock Skelly. It is very remarkable from the sea."

Farm track serving as a coastal path at Red Head, Angus Although the rocky coast and associated sea birds in this area make spectacular viewing, there is no formal coastal path which permits easy access. While good access and paths designed for walking can be desirable, it is also true that too many visitors to an area can spoil the elemental assets, like solitude, which is, in fact, the thing they have come to experience.

Farm track serving as a coastal path at Red Head, Angus

Although the rocky coast and associated sea birds in this area make spectacular viewing, there is no formal coastal path which permits easy access. While good access and paths designed for walking can be desirable, it is also true that too many visitors to an area can spoil the elemental assets, like solitude, which is, in fact, the thing they have come to experience.

Southward view of Red Head and fringing islands, Angus This photo was taken from the clifftop near East Comb and it looks south to Red Head and to a number of small islands which lie on the seaward side of it in the Cove of the Head. The islands, which have been eroded from the mainland, and caves undermining the headland, both show that active erosion is taking place at Red Head.

Southward view of Red Head and fringing islands, Angus

This photo was taken from the clifftop near East Comb and it looks south to Red Head and to a number of small islands which lie on the seaward side of it in the Cove of the Head. The islands, which have been eroded from the mainland, and caves undermining the headland, both show that active erosion is taking place at Red Head.

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Spectacle is located at Grid Ref: NO7048 (Lat: 56.627029, Lng: -2.4813193)

Unitary Authority: Angus

Police Authority: Tayside

What 3 Words

///trips.friday.scribble. Near Arbroath, Angus

Nearby Locations

Joss Spectacle Meikle Partan Craig East Haven Doo Cove Lang Craig

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