A Volcanic Birth 400 million years ago, Scotland was a very different place to how it is today. Rocked by volcanic eruptions and covered in swathes of lava flows, a rocky promontory now known as St Abb’s Head was formed on the coast in the Scottish borders. The evidence of this violent birth still remains in the geology of the …
Going Down A Storm – Lavernock Point
Historic Significance Lavernock Point may not be a destination many people have heard about, however it has a special place in the history of communication. The point was where the very first wireless signals were transmitted and received over the open ocean, thanks to Guglielmo Marconi and George Kemp in 1987. The headland at Lavernock Point is also the site …
Seal Pup Playground – Forvie National Nature Reserve
Shifting Sands It’s not often that a place in Scotland is compared to the Sahara Desert. However, it’s been said that the sand dunes of Forvie National Nature Reserve (NNR) share many similarities with the world’s largest desert. Located north of Aberdeen, on Scotland’s east coast, the reserve at Forvie lies adjacent to the Ythan Estuary. It is best known …
Bird Deception on the Kent Coast – Sandwich Bay
Shingle Beaches The Kent coastline is probably most famous for the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, which rise to over 350 feet high, standing tall above the English Channel. However, the county has far more to offer visitors besides this natural wonder, with ancient castles, excellent beaches and beautiful countryside. On Kent’s eastern shore, situated between the coastal towns of …
Seal of Approval – The Menai Strait
Tidal Races Wales’ north-west corner is a region characterised by rolling hills and beautiful swathes of countryside. The tip of the mainland is separated from the Isle of Anglesey by a thin slice of ocean known as the Menai Strait – a stretch of tidal water that is about 25km long. The tidal effects in the strait are highly unusual …
Scotland
Loch Long – A Scottish Fjord
Ship Lake Loch Long is a 20 mile long sea loch that extends from the Forth of Clyde at its southern end to the villages of Arrochar and Succoth. Perhaps surprisingly, the loch is not named for its length, instead getting its name from the Gaelic translation for ‘Ship Lake’. This is a reference to the longboats used by Viking …
Creatures Of The Night – Stackpole
Wild Coastline The Pembrokeshire coastline is blessed with rugged headlands, fantastic beaches and amazing wildlife, with Stackpole being the epitome of everything it has to offer. Stackpole itself is a small village in southern Pembrokeshire, however the surrounding coastal area encompasses a nature reserve which is rich in habitat. The region is also home to Stackpole Estate – a large …
Montrose Basin – A Haven for Birds and Birdwatchers Alike
Sea of Swans Nestled in an enclosed tidal basin on Scotland’s east coast, one nature reserve boasts the achievement of recording over 200 species of visiting birds every year. Operated by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Montrose Basin makes up part of the estuary where the River South Esk meets the North Sea. Covering an area of over 750,000 hectares, the …
Loch Fleet – Scotland’s Most Northerly Nature Reserve
Ancient Ruins Loch Fleet is one of the few sea lochs of Scotland to reside on the east coast. Located just north of the town of Dornoch in Sutherland, the loch is designated as a National Nature Reserve and is the most northerly example of such in the country. It’s quite possibly one of the most diverse in terms of …
Torridon – A Highland Paradise
At One with the Clouds In the remote North-West Highlands, around 100 miles north of Fort William, there’s a small coastal village named Torridon. The settlement itself might seem a little unassuming, however the surrounding area is home to some of the most spectacular mountains in the United Kingdom. With high pinnacles, sheer cliff faces and knife-edge ridges, the Torridon …