Berwickshire's Coast

Monitors can keep the layout, which phones may need to discombobulate.

Looking down into a bay with village, rocks and harbour. Looking down from the path to St. Abb's Head on the village of St Abbs Towered building among trees, sea beyond. The remains of the Dunglass Collegiate Church - a deceptive shot avoiding the surrounding intrusions The section of Picture Posting (before that latest excursion to Vietnam and Route 32) finished with photographs from the town of Berwick, and there, the strong patterns in the local shore rocks. Coming north a few miles this page takes up that interest in the geology of the area. Siccar Point is north west of St Abb's village and south east of Cockburnspath. This was the happy hunting ground of James Hutton from Edinburgh, often viewed as the founder of modern geology who in the later 1700s sort an explanation of how the strange rock formation of the Berwickshire Coast could be accounted for. This page shows some of these rocks - for their aesthetic patterning rather than geological classification. The lower half of the page continues to Dunbar, and the kittiwake colony on the castle at the harbour. But first a nod to the delightful small Dunglass valley - a little overshadowed by roads and the railway. Many complex layers and colours in a rock face. A close view of the rocks on the headland, which is shown below (left), stressing their aesthetic appeal Layered rocks running to sands on beach. Dunglass Estate lies in a wooded defile half way between Eyemouth and Dunbar. This is the mill as it was 35 years ago Complex of rocks between grass and sea. Layered red-sandstone rocks running down onto the shore on the north side of Siccar Point Vertical banding of rocks pointing into the sea. Siccar Point itself where the disorganised lines of the rocks helped Hutton develop his groundbreaking theories Layers of dark rock standing vertically. Fragmented boulders with layered horizontal rocks sitting on them. More details of those jumbled rocks seen above Horizontal layered rocks over vertical layered rocks. A rock surface where undulating lines of quite different rock appear from the cracks. And here an example of where magma has squeezed itself between the layers of rock Complex array of layered rock, planes in all directions. The lines of rock seem to be scurrying
in contrary directions
Grey striated beach. If we look along the coast from Siccar Point, to the south lie these dark Silurian rocks while... Looking up under pink worn sandstone, nest clinging. ...in contrast to the north are rich red sandstones - here an overhang is offering a martin's nest protection Bridge with steps up out of the sea either end. Following the the direction of the sandstones, the visitor comes to Dunbar. And to the birthplace of the ecologist John Muir. He lived in the town from his birth in 1838 till the family left for Wisconsin in 1849. In memory of him a country park was opened along 8 miles (13 kms) of the coast stretching to the west from the outskirts of Dunbar, towards Edinburgh. The way through the park starts here on the west fringes of the town at the Belhaven Bridge - not always open to walkers! This photo of the bridge has just made its appearance in the Mosaic section of this site, for a different reason - go there to see a link to John Muir Harbour with houses along quay and  small boats moured. Dunbar harbour from the ruined castle, and... Ruins of building with ruined tower in centre, sea beyond, an roof with holes in foreground. ...looking towards the castle over a holey roof Large sandstone wall covered in kttiwakes. The main wall of the ruined castle houses an enthusiastic (as always) kittiwake colony Two birds on nest, one asleep one beak open. Three kittiwakes with heads at various angles to show off the exceeding whiteness. The kittiwake's head is the softest, whitest dome it is possible to imagine - beyond any reach of a camera Four kittiwakes sitting on their nests on sandstone ledges. Two kittiwakes, back and side of head. Two kittiwakes coming into land. Higher shutter speeds catch the birds more abstract poses A larger area of nesting birds in various poses These worn sandstone ledges offer perfect nesting sites... Six birds appear to all have thier heads tucked in. ...for their communal occupants. Above mostly asleep Four male and four female eider ducks on rock in sea. This part of the east coast also gives shelter for many birds besides kittiwakes, here, on a low reef just off the shore, a group of Eiders are displaying the fine markings of the male
with the soft pink glow on the breast
Sea rocks below shore rocks with Bass Rock on the distant horizon. No birds here but the view on towards a very well inhabited island: the Bass Rock projects from the Firth of Forth Cormorant/shag on promontary sea all around. Cormorants (although it may, as always, be a shag) drying their wings seem for ever to be about to say goodbye... Clump of thrift with others aroound among grass on cliff top. ...Leaving the scene of the Berwick Coast to be stolen by the thrift on the cliff tops

Trailers... Village sign with castle in background. The next Picture Posting page moves inland to the southern corner of Berwickshire and the territory of the Home (Hume) Clan. Information panel at the cliffs in north west Iceland. The next page of the Mosaic Section is headed 'Commodification'.
Or go to the contents Go to the contents of the Mosaic Section. of the Mosaic Section.
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Saturday 1st June 2024 Murphy on duty ...guide to this site


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