Birnie's Curricks

Island in Banffshire

Scotland

Birnie's Curricks

Pond at Mains of Melrose An artificial pond beside the Burn of Melrose. — Pond at Mains of Melrose Credit: Anne Burgess

Birnie's Curricks, located in Banffshire, is a small island off the northeast coast of Scotland. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. The island is situated in the Moray Firth, and it is accessible by boat from the nearby town of Portsoy.

Birnie's Curricks is characterized by its rugged coastline, with towering cliffs and secluded sandy beaches. The island is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as it is home to a diverse range of species, including seabirds, seals, and even dolphins. The surrounding waters offer excellent opportunities for fishing and boating.

The island's history dates back thousands of years, with evidence of human habitation from the Neolithic period. Visitors can explore the remains of Iron Age forts and Pictish settlements, providing a glimpse into the island's past. The most prominent archaeological feature on Birnie's Curricks is the ancient stone circle, believed to have been constructed around 2000 BC.

Nature lovers will appreciate the island's varied flora and fauna, with wildflowers covering the landscape during the summer months. The island boasts a rich biodiversity, with rare plant species thriving in its unique ecosystem.

Birnie's Curricks offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Visitors can enjoy peaceful walks along the coastal paths, taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding sea and countryside. The island's remote location ensures a sense of seclusion and serenity, making it a popular destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

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Birnie's Curricks Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.672745/-2.4241508 or Grid Reference NJ7464. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pond at Mains of Melrose An artificial pond beside the Burn of Melrose.

Pond at Mains of Melrose

An artificial pond beside the Burn of Melrose.

Mains of Melrose Fields of ripening barley on the undulating fields at the top of the cliffs at Melrose.

Mains of Melrose

Fields of ripening barley on the undulating fields at the top of the cliffs at Melrose.

Kamered Bank The modern maps don&#039;t name the headland in the middle of the bay, but the older large-scale maps call it Kamered Bank. This is presumably from the word kame, meaning a ridge. Stocked Head, behind me, is an igneous dyke, so perhaps there is also a dyke making this headland more resistant than the psammites and pelites of the Macduff Formation that make up the cliffs here.

Kamered Bank

The modern maps don't name the headland in the middle of the bay, but the older large-scale maps call it Kamered Bank. This is presumably from the word kame, meaning a ridge. Stocked Head, behind me, is an igneous dyke, so perhaps there is also a dyke making this headland more resistant than the psammites and pelites of the Macduff Formation that make up the cliffs here.

Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris) A fat flower-head, reminiscent of cauliflower. Angelica is very common on the banks below the cliffs here.

Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris)

A fat flower-head, reminiscent of cauliflower. Angelica is very common on the banks below the cliffs here.

Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) The bright yellow flowers of Goldenrod are common on the grassy banks along this stretch of coast.

Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)

The bright yellow flowers of Goldenrod are common on the grassy banks along this stretch of coast.

Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum) In olden days the flowers of this common plant were strewn on floors to give a pleasant scent.

Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum)

In olden days the flowers of this common plant were strewn on floors to give a pleasant scent.

Scurrs of Greenside Scurrs of Greenside is the name given to the flat rocks and shore here. It&#039;s an interesting word. I imagined at first that it was related to the Gaelic Sgùrr, meaning a conical hill, and I couldn&#039;t see the relevance. It turns out, however, that it is from Latin scurra, meaning a buffoon, from which English gets the word scurrilous. In Scots the meaning was extended to mean a low rascal or a sheriff&#039;s officer! Over time it came to mean anything low, which makes far more sense.

Scurrs of Greenside

Scurrs of Greenside is the name given to the flat rocks and shore here. It's an interesting word. I imagined at first that it was related to the Gaelic Sgùrr, meaning a conical hill, and I couldn't see the relevance. It turns out, however, that it is from Latin scurra, meaning a buffoon, from which English gets the word scurrilous. In Scots the meaning was extended to mean a low rascal or a sheriff's officer! Over time it came to mean anything low, which makes far more sense.

White Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia) In England these are called Harebells, but C rotundifolia is the true Bluebell of Scotland. I&#039;d never seen a pure white one before.

White Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia)

In England these are called Harebells, but C rotundifolia is the true Bluebell of Scotland. I'd never seen a pure white one before.

White Bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia) In England this would be called a Harebell, but C rotundifolia is the true Bluebell of Scotland. I&#039;d never seen a pure white one before.

White Bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia)

In England this would be called a Harebell, but C rotundifolia is the true Bluebell of Scotland. I'd never seen a pure white one before.

Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum) In olden days the flowers of this common plant were strewn on floors to give a pleasant scent.

Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum)

In olden days the flowers of this common plant were strewn on floors to give a pleasant scent.

White Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia) In England these are called Harebells, but C rotundifolia is the true Bluebell of Scotland. I&#039;d never seen a pure white one before.

White Bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia)

In England these are called Harebells, but C rotundifolia is the true Bluebell of Scotland. I'd never seen a pure white one before.

Scurrs of Greenside Scurrs of Greenside is the name given to the flat rocks and shore here. It&#039;s an interesting word. I imagined at first that it was related to the Gaelic Sgùrr, meaning a conical hill, and I couldn&#039;t see the relevance. It turns out, however, that it is from Latin scurra, meaning a buffoon, from which English gets the word scurrilous. In Scots the meaning was extended to mean a low rascal or a sheriff&#039;s officer! Over time it came to mean anything low, which makes far more sense.

Scurrs of Greenside

Scurrs of Greenside is the name given to the flat rocks and shore here. It's an interesting word. I imagined at first that it was related to the Gaelic Sgùrr, meaning a conical hill, and I couldn't see the relevance. It turns out, however, that it is from Latin scurra, meaning a buffoon, from which English gets the word scurrilous. In Scots the meaning was extended to mean a low rascal or a sheriff's officer! Over time it came to mean anything low, which makes far more sense.

Scurrs of Greenside Scurrs of Greenside is the name given to the flat rocks and shore here. It&#039;s an interesting word. I imagined at first that it was related to the Gaelic Sgùrr, meaning a conical hill, and I couldn&#039;t see the relevance. It turns out, however, that it is from Latin scurra, meaning a buffoon, from which English gets the word scurrilous. In Scots the meaning was extended to mean a low rascal or a sheriff&#039;s officer! Over time it came to mean anything low, which makes far more sense.

Scurrs of Greenside

Scurrs of Greenside is the name given to the flat rocks and shore here. It's an interesting word. I imagined at first that it was related to the Gaelic Sgùrr, meaning a conical hill, and I couldn't see the relevance. It turns out, however, that it is from Latin scurra, meaning a buffoon, from which English gets the word scurrilous. In Scots the meaning was extended to mean a low rascal or a sheriff's officer! Over time it came to mean anything low, which makes far more sense.

Sea Mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum) The large daisy-like flowers are plentiful along the back of the beach here.

Sea Mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum)

The large daisy-like flowers are plentiful along the back of the beach here.

Sea Sandwort |(Honckenya peploides) There&#039;s a large carpet of this plant on the sandy upper part of the beach. The green balls are seeds.

Sea Sandwort |(Honckenya peploides)

There's a large carpet of this plant on the sandy upper part of the beach. The green balls are seeds.

Rusting Metal There is quite a selection of rusting metal on the rocks here, presumably the remains of a ship that had come to grief. These large chunks haven&#039;t moved since <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2956451">NJ7564 : Rusting Remains</a> was taken ten years ago.

Rusting Metal

There is quite a selection of rusting metal on the rocks here, presumably the remains of a ship that had come to grief. These large chunks haven't moved since NJ7564 : Rusting Remains was taken ten years ago.

Winding Gear The steel hawsers are rusted almost solid. I have yet to find out which ship it was that was wrecked here.

Winding Gear

The steel hawsers are rusted almost solid. I have yet to find out which ship it was that was wrecked here.

Rusting Engine Block The engine has eight cylinders. I have not discovered the name of the vessel.

Rusting Engine Block

The engine has eight cylinders. I have not discovered the name of the vessel.

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Birnie's Curricks is located at Grid Ref: NJ7464 (Lat: 57.672745, Lng: -2.4241508)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///alleyway.struck.fatigued. Near Macduff, Aberdeenshire

Nearby Locations

The Binks Bowie Bate Birnie's Curricks Top Castle Boat Craig Head of Garness

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.672745,-2.4241508

Generator Source: wind

Power: generator

Lat/Long: 57.67028/-2.425949

Head of Garness

Natural: cape

Lat/Long: 57.6740595/-2.4277467

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Boat Craig Banffshire

Long Craig East Lothian

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