Muckle Wife

Island in Banffshire

Scotland

Muckle Wife

Looking down on Crovie The area at the bottom is the only part of the village that can be reached by motor vehicles and is reserved for local residents&#039; use. This is the view from the public car park higher up the cliff. A feature of the village is that every single building bar one is Listed. (The local pronunciation is – more or less – Crivvy) — Looking down on Crovie Credit: Alan Murray-Rust

Muckle Wife is an uninhabited island located off the coast of Banffshire, Scotland. It is situated in the North Sea, approximately 10 kilometers northeast of the town of Banff. The island is part of the Banffshire Coast and Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation, known for its diverse marine life and important bird populations.

Muckle Wife covers an area of around 50 acres and is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain. The island is mostly covered by low vegetation, including grasses, heather, and shrubs. It is surrounded by cliffs that reach heights of up to 30 meters, providing nesting sites for seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.

Although uninhabited, Muckle Wife has historical significance. The island's name is believed to come from the Old Norse term "mukka-vif," meaning "big woman." This suggests that the island may have been used as a place of refuge or as a lookout by Vikings during their occupation of the area.

Access to Muckle Wife is restricted due to its status as a protected nature reserve. It is a popular destination for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, who can observe the diverse range of species that inhabit the island. Boat trips and guided tours are available from nearby towns, allowing visitors to experience the natural beauty and tranquility of this remote and untouched island.

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Muckle Wife Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.671594/-2.3512462 or Grid Reference NJ7964. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Looking down on Crovie

The area at the bottom is the only part of the village that can be reached by motor vehicles and is reserved for local residents' use. This is the view from the public car park higher up the cliff. A feature of the village is that every single building bar one is Listed. (The local pronunciation is – more or less – Crivvy)

Alan Murray-Rust

A general view of Crovie

The Conservation Area Appraisal Link

states that the village first became established in the early 18th century, either as a result of the clearances or simply as a new fishing village, although it is unclear which. Expansion came from 1718 when a government fishing bounty was introduced. By 1820 9 drifters and 28 smaller boats were in operation. The photo shows the difficulties that must have arisen from rocky foreshore exposed at low tide, with only a small area of shingle beach for beaching boats. The jetty was not built until 1883 to afford some protection as well as easier landing of catch at lower tides. At this stage there were some 60 vessels of varying sizes! The Great Storm of 1953 caused severe damage with breaches of the sea wall and major damage to buildings, to the extent that in 1958 there was a Government order to abandon the village. Local opposition to this ensured its survival, although today many of the buildings are owned as holiday homes.

Alan Murray-Rust

Crovie, Aberdeenshire

Taken from Crovie Viewpoint, south of the town at around 60m AOD

Hobs

Crovie

A view across Gamrie Bay towards the fishing village of Crovie

Ralph Greig

Hanging out the washing

Crovie village Centre with post box, phone box and the washing

Ralph Greig

The Fishing village of Crovie

Ralph Greig

St John's Church

A telephoto zoom shot of the remains of the church, surrounded by the churchyard, on the cliff opposite Gardenstown Harbour.

Carron K

Craigandargity, off Gardenstown

Rocks in Gamrie Bay. There were cormorants visible on the rocks.

Carron K

Gardenstown and harbour

A view of the village from the harbour wall.

Alan Findlay

Den of Afforsk

Compare with NJ7863 : Bog of Minnonie, taken nine years earlier when the whins were in similar bloom, but note that the pond has dried up.

Anne Burgess

Farmland at Dubford

Above the steep gully of the Den of Findon.

David Purchase

Gardenstown village

Attractive though this is, I can see that there would be some disadvantages about living here. Fancy returning home late at night and finding someone coming the other way. One or both of you might end up in the sea!

David Purchase

Gardenstown harbour, Aberdeenshire

Euan Nelson

St John's Church

This is the interior of the old parish kirk of Gamrie, which was founded in 1004. The present fabric dates mainly from the 16th century, but has become ruinous since the new parish kirk was built in 1829-1830.

Anne Burgess