Bowdun Rocks

Island in Kincardineshire

Scotland

Bowdun Rocks

Allerdyce Street (A957), Stonehaven Looking southward. — Allerdyce Street (A957), Stonehaven Credit: Peter Wood

Bowdun Rocks is a small island located off the coast of Kincardineshire, a historic county in northeast Scotland. Situated in the North Sea, the island is part of a group of rocky islets known as the Bowdun Rocks, which also includes several smaller uninhabited islands.

Covering an area of about 1.5 acres, Bowdun Rocks is primarily composed of rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops. The island's terrain is characterized by its steep slopes, jagged edges, and numerous crevices. Vegetation on the island is sparse, consisting mainly of hardy grasses and mosses that cling to the rocky surfaces.

Bowdun Rocks is known for its rich biodiversity, particularly in terms of birdlife. The island serves as an important breeding ground for various seabird species, including fulmars, kittiwakes, and guillemots. These birds nest on the cliffs and ledges, taking advantage of the island's remote location and relative seclusion.

Access to Bowdun Rocks is limited due to its geographical location and the challenging terrain. The island is not accessible by road, and the nearest mainland point is around 1.5 miles away. It is primarily visited by birdwatchers, naturalists, and photographers who are drawn to the unique wildlife and dramatic landscape.

Overall, Bowdun Rocks is a captivating and ecologically significant island on the Scottish coast, offering a glimpse into the rugged beauty and diverse wildlife of the region.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Bowdun Rocks Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.9528/-2.1927429 or Grid Reference NO8884. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Allerdyce Street (A957), Stonehaven

Looking southward.

Peter Wood

Stonehaven Bay

A view across the bay from the harbour area towards the newer part of the town.

Gordon Hatton

Aircraft sculpture at Stonehaven

There are five such superb sculptures along the sea wall at Stonehaven. This one has a small plaque attached to the rock to say that this is a model of a Norwegian Seaplane which landed in the bay in April 1940, thus escaping the German invasion of Norway. The plane was piloted by Stein Gustavvson Abildso.

Gordon Hatton

Viking boat sculpture, Stonehaven

One of five beautiful sculptures on the sea wall at Stonehaven. This one depicts a Viking boat of the type that might have once headed this way from Norway.

Gordon Hatton

A Scottish delicacy

You may have thought that reports of the deep fried Mars bar being a delicacy in Scotland was a mere myth, but this sign on the wall of a chip shop in Stonehaven would confirm the truth. This contributor wasn't brave enough to try the dish.

Gordon Hatton

Old milestone

John Briggs used this 'C listed' property at 19 Bridgfield until earlier in 2021. It is at the south side of the bridge over Carron Water which is undergoing some flood defence works. In the recess near the blue hoarding is a milestone and below it a slightly recessed stone plaque. The bridge was built in 1781, widened in 1885 and rebuilt in 1973.

John Riddell

Old milestone

A close up of the milestone in the niche at the corner of the building to the south of the bridge over Carron Water. Inscribed on the left-hand face L/14 (for Laurencekirk), A/14 (Aberdeen) on the right and BERVIE/10 on the bevel. The vertical plaque below is inscribed THEOBALD/BARCLAY/1150 (the first Barclays ancestor in Scotland 1150), MATHERS/1351 (Barclays acquired the Mathers estate in 1351), URIE/1647 (Barclays bought Urie estate 1647),COND/1781. This stone was copied from the keystone on the 1781 bridge which was concealed by the 1885 widening.

John Riddell

Ordnance Survey Flush Bracket G896

This bracket can be found on the wall of the Police Station, Stonehaven. The recorded details give a height of 4.1664 metres above sea level. For more details see : Link

Peter Wood

Ordnance Survey Flush Bracket G897

This bracket can be found on the wall of the Town Hall, Stonehaven. The recorded details give a height of 5.5802 metres above sea level. For more details see : Link

Peter Wood

Downie Point

This is the 'island' forming the end of Downie Point. The flat topped island-like end of the headland isn't easily reachable on foot due to the steep gorge.

Peter Robinson