Devil's Peatstack

Island in Banffshire

Scotland

Devil's Peatstack

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

Devil's Peatstack is a small island located in Banffshire, Scotland. Situated off the northeast coast, it lies in the Moray Firth, close to the mainland town of Buckie. The island is renowned for its unique geological formations and rich biodiversity, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Covering an area of approximately 5 acres, Devil's Peatstack is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain. The island is predominantly composed of peat, a type of soil formed from decomposed vegetation over thousands of years. This unique soil composition provides a home for a variety of plant species, including heathers, mosses, and grasses.

One of the most striking features of Devil's Peatstack is its towering sea cliffs, which rise up to 30 meters above sea level. These cliffs provide nesting sites for numerous seabirds, such as fulmars, guillemots, and puffins, making the island a haven for birdwatchers. The surrounding waters are also teeming with marine life, including seals and dolphins, further enhancing the island's appeal.

Access to Devil's Peatstack is limited due to its remote location and lack of facilities. However, boat tours are available from nearby towns, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the island's natural wonders and learn about its geological significance. It is important to note that while the island is a place of great beauty, its rough and uneven terrain requires caution and suitable footwear for those wishing to venture ashore.

In conclusion, Devil's Peatstack is a captivating island in Banffshire, Scotland, boasting unique geological formations, diverse plant life, and abundant seabird colonies. With its remote location and natural beauty, it offers a peaceful retreat for nature lovers seeking to immerse themselves in Scotland's wild landscapes.

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Devil's Peatstack Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.672726/-2.4676554 or Grid Reference NJ7264. 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.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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 Link

are working towards making this a vibrant leisure destination once again. The Category A Listed facility deserves nothing less.

Alan Murray-Rust

Natural sloping slabs at Tarlair

At the entrance to the lido.

Alan Murray-Rust

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.

Alan Murray-Rust

Threading the needle

View through the naatural arch known locally as the Needle's Eye

Alan Murray-Rust

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.

Alan Murray-Rust

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.

Alan Murray-Rust

Tarlair Lido, view from the east

Compare with this view of the lido in its heyday Link

Restoration of the pavilion is due to start in 2022. Listed Category A.

Alan Murray-Rust

Rock fall at near Tarlair

Hobs

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.

Chris Downer

Macduff war memorial

An unusual and striking war memorial tower erected in 1920 and B-listed (LB37681): Link

Bill Harrison

View of Macduff harbour from Church Street

Bill Harrison

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): Link

. Next door is the former Clydesdale Bank and agent's house, also B-listed (LB37635): Link

Bill Harrison

Macduff harbour entrance and lighthouse

The lighthouse dates from 1903 (Canmore record 81477: Link

Bill Harrison

Macduff harbour

The harbour at Macduff, with its ocean-going trawlers, has a totally different feel to the gentrified Banff marina on the other side of the River Deveron estuary. Here we see the smartly turned out Shekinah (registered to INV = Inverness) and the Reliance II (BF = Banff) sandwiching a rather rusty visitor from afar; the Glen Alvah from BM = Brixham (Devon).

Bill Harrison