Maws Craig

Island in Kincardineshire

Scotland

Maws Craig

S entrance to a through cave at Powdam The tall triangle in line with the kayak bow is the S entrance to a cave which turns right and out on the far side. Only navigable at high tide and very low swell. Powdam is round the corner and left. — S entrance to a through cave at Powdam Credit: Nigel Feilden

Maws Craig is a small island located off the coast of Kincardineshire, Scotland. The island is situated in the North Sea, approximately 2 miles east of Stonehaven. It has a total area of about 4 acres and is primarily composed of rugged cliffs and rocky terrain.

The name Maws Craig originates from the Scottish Gaelic words "maw" meaning "gull" and "craig" meaning "rock." This is fitting as the island is known to be a popular nesting site for various seabirds, including gulls and puffins. The cliffs provide ideal conditions for these birds to breed and raise their young.

Access to Maws Craig is limited due to its remote location and the treacherous nature of the surrounding waters. However, it can be viewed from the mainland, particularly from the nearby Dunnottar Castle, which offers stunning panoramic views of the island and its rugged coastline.

The island has a rich history, with evidence of human occupation dating back to the Iron Age. It is believed to have been used as a defensive site due to its strategic position and the natural protection provided by the cliffs. Today, remnants of ancient structures and fortifications can still be observed.

Maws Craig is also a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers, who visit to capture the beauty of the nesting birds and the dramatic landscape. Overall, Maws Craig offers a unique and scenic experience for those who appreciate nature and history.

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Maws Craig Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.863276/-2.2323163 or Grid Reference NO8574. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

S entrance to a through cave at Powdam

The tall triangle in line with the kayak bow is the S entrance to a cave which turns right and out on the far side. Only navigable at high tide and very low swell. Powdam is round the corner and left.

Nigel Feilden

E entrance to a through cave at Powdam

Shows the sun shining through the S entrance. See NO8676 : S entrance to a through cave at Powdam. Navigable near high tide with a very low swell. The S tunnel is narrow and the W wall leans E.

Nigel Feilden

Sill exposed on Darn Bay cliff

The sill runs from half way up the left of the frame to the top of the cliff on the right in a very flattened S curve. Samples taken on 22 Dec 21 were consistent with lava. If this is an offshoot of the dyke shown on the BGS overlay about 100m to the left (W), then it is a 'North Britain Siluro-devonian Calc-alkaline Dyke Suite - Microgranite'. The rest of the cliffs are Gourdon conglomerate with interbedded sandstone layers.

Nigel Feilden

Coarse conglomerate in the cliffs above Darn Bay

Some of the rounded stones are getting on for a metre across - compare the fence posts above. The BGS has 'Rob's Cove Conglomerate Member - Conglomerate'

Nigel Feilden

Hallhill Farm

A farm overlooking the sea by Todhead.

Andrew Wood

Red soil of the Mearns

A tilled field by Kinneff showing the red soil of the Mearns and the blue of the sea in the distance, both portrayed in the literature on local author Lewis Grassic Gibbon.

Andrew Wood

Southern approach to Catterline

Photographer is above the pavement surface of the minor road

C Michael Hogan

Stubble, Grange

The haar just reveals piles of manure and an explanation for the mud.

Richard Webb

Wheat, Kinneff

Some fields here had been harvested, but this wheat was still green.

Richard Webb

Kirkcorner

A minor road at Kinneff in the wretched haar.

Richard Webb

Minor road, Kinneff

The photographer is standing on the pavement surface of the minor road, and waiting for the haar to go.

Richard Webb

Large open tank, Wardhead

Alex McGregor

Haar

Kinneff on the Kincardineshire coast during a prolonged period of coastal fog.

Richard Webb

Minor road near Whistleberry

A prolonged period of haar.

Richard Webb

The Old Kirk, Kinneff

kim traynor

Old Kirk, Kinneff

The church was largely rebuilt in 1738, but incorporates older parts.

kim traynor

Kinneff Kirk interior

The church is famous for the part it played in the concealment of the Scottish crown jewels in 1652 to prevent them falling into the hands of Cromwell's army of occupation. They were hidden under the floor of the church, somewhere in front of the pulpit, and recovered after Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660. See NT2573 : Restoring the Honours of Scotland tableau, Edinburgh Castle

kim traynor

Rev. Grainger Monument, Kinneff Old Kirk

Memorial commemorating the Rev. James Grainger and his part in saving the Scottish regalia (the 'Honours of Scotland') from Cromwell's army of occupation by concealing them beneath the church floor. It bears the rather overblown Victorian inscription, "Behold the spot where Grainger's ashes lie, Who from besieged Dunnottar safe conveyed The insignia of Scotland's Royalty, And in this hallowed ground in secret laid, Where now he rests himself, Heaven shall bestow Meet recompense on such desert as his; He, who his country's honour saved below, Now wields a sceptre in the Realms of Bliss." True to form, the man gets all the credit, though it was in fact his wife who also risked imprisonment or worse by smuggling the Honours out of Dunnottar. See NT2573 : Saving the Honours of Scotland tableau, Edinburgh Castle

kim traynor

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Maws Craig is located at Grid Ref: NO8574 (Lat: 56.863276, Lng: -2.2323163)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East