Mawcarr Stells

Island in Berwickshire

Scotland

Mawcarr Stells

Mawcarr Stells is a small island located off the coast of Berwickshire, Scotland. With a total land area of approximately 5 acres, it is one of the many islands that dot the picturesque coastline of this region. Mawcarr Stells is situated about 2 miles southeast of the town of Eyemouth, making it easily accessible by boat.

The island is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, with cliffs that rise steeply from the surrounding sea. It is primarily covered in grass and heather, providing a habitat for various species of birds and small mammals. The coastline is dotted with caves and rock formations, adding to the island's natural beauty.

Despite its small size, Mawcarr Stells has a rich history. It is believed to have been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of prehistoric settlements and burial sites discovered on the island. In more recent centuries, it served as a fishing outpost and was home to a small community of fishermen and their families.

Today, Mawcarr Stells remains uninhabited and is a popular destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the island's rugged shores, observe the diverse birdlife, and take in the breathtaking coastal views. It is also a popular spot for fishing and boating, attracting both locals and tourists alike.

Overall, Mawcarr Stells is a hidden gem off the coast of Berwickshire, offering visitors a tranquil and scenic escape from the bustling mainland.

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Mawcarr Stells Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.920903/-2.1843521 or Grid Reference NT8869. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dowlaw Dean

Rob Wallace

Small pond with derelict building near Brander Heugh

The small derelict building is the remains of a WW2 marker shelter for an aircraft firing range - more detail here: Link

Rob Wallace

Looking down from Brander Heugh towards Lumsdaine Shore

Rob Wallace

A snoozing grey seal pup at Lumsdaine Shore

The seal was photographed with a telephoto lens from the hillside above the shore. Most of the grey seal pups were wiped out last year by Storm Arwen, but they were back to normal numbers this year.

Walter Baxter

Dowlaw Dean

The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea.

Walter Baxter

A roe deer in Dowlaw Dean

As I carefully descended into the steep-sided ravine I disturbed two roe deer grazing by the Dowlaw Burn. This is a male deer looking defiantly up towards me.

Walter Baxter

Roe deer in Dowlaw Dean

As I carefully descended into the steep-sided ravine I disturbed a couple of roe deer grazing by the Dowlaw Burn. They watched me for a while and then climbed up the southeast side of the ravine. A female is on the left with a male on the right.

Walter Baxter

Dowlaw Dean

The Dowlaw Burn runs through this rocky ravine into the North Sea. There has been a lot of rock fall on the southeast side of the ravine.

Walter Baxter

The Berwickshire coast

This is a view from the headland on the northwest side of Dowlaw Dean towards Brander in the middle ground and St Abb’s Head in the background.

Walter Baxter

The Brander

An impressive sharp ridge running 100m into the sea.

Chris Eilbeck

Brander, near Fast Castle

Berwickshire coast at Brander, 1.3 km. east of Fast Castle. Anticline in Silurian rocks.

Lisa Jarvis

The coastline at Brander

A wave cut platform below Brander Heugh viewed from Step Heugh in the adjoining square to the east.

Walter Baxter

A Second World War marker shelter at Brander Heugh

This concrete relic is now used by sheep as a shelter. I have to thank Peter E Hamlin for the following information update on this building:- This is a Marker Shelter located on a former Air to Ground gunnery range. The building would have been revetted and protected by earth/sand banking up to the eaves except for the front face. The roof would have had a double layer of filled sand bags. The building was used as a shelter by the range crew during firing. A row of screen targets were erected in a line facing the front of the building. The range crew sheltered inside during firing and could 'mark' (score) the targets inside and carry out repairs. The doorway in the front elevation was some 10 feet high which enabled the 10 feet square targets to be brought inside. On either side of the shelter would have been visual signals operated by lanyards running through tubes into the building. This type of range control was superseded when Radio Telephony (RT) came into general use. Aircraft would attack in line with the rear of building so that stray shots went out to sea.

Walter Baxter

A sheltering sheep at Brander Heugh

This sheep is using this Second World War observation post as a shelter. For a view of the building towards the coastline, see NT8770 : A Second World War marker shelter at Brander Heugh.

Walter Baxter