This is another of our walks on the Wild Side of Angus last summer. This time it's near Montrose and also Lunan Bay which I posted before and which you can look at here. For once Freya is behind us coming down the grassy park from the car.
The path goes under the main railway line between Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Close by is a clifftop cemetery. I caught sight of it from the train on a trip to Edinburgh a while back and was intrigued It is lightly run down but has the romantic appeal of many old cemeteries especially given it's location perched at the edge of the cliff. Usually these cemeteries are for a particular local family.
There is an abundance of wild flowers along this cliff walk. The delicate nodding harebells, Lady's Smock and Red Campion which seemed to flower all summer last year.
Wild hypericum, Bird's Foot Trefoil and Nipplewort.
The starry flowers of Field Scabious
The path meanders along the cliff top and slightly downhill towards the hamlet of Boddin Point. On the way we always stop to admire the views and the famous rock Elephant Rock, a natural coastal arch that has been shaped by the sea into a resemblance of an elephant.
I had heard tales about this rock from one of our friends. She told us how she used to play on the rock as a child! I'll bet she never told her mother...
Further along the cliff, the most prominent feature on Boddin Point is the limekiln standing at its seaward end. This dates back to the 1700s. In the foreground is an old salmon fishing station. Many salmon and herring stations are dotted along the east coast.
A track leads round to the top of the limekiln. Here you get great views south along the cliffs to the golden sands of Lunan Bay.
There is an abundance of wild flowers along this cliff walk. The delicate nodding harebells, Lady's Smock and Red Campion which seemed to flower all summer last year.
Wild hypericum, Bird's Foot Trefoil and Nipplewort.
The starry flowers of Field Scabious
The path meanders along the cliff top and slightly downhill towards the hamlet of Boddin Point. On the way we always stop to admire the views and the famous rock Elephant Rock, a natural coastal arch that has been shaped by the sea into a resemblance of an elephant.
I had heard tales about this rock from one of our friends. She told us how she used to play on the rock as a child! I'll bet she never told her mother...
At Boddin Point, the Purple Vetch is a magnet for both Burnett moths and bees.
Then we retraced our steps back up the hill to the hamlet of Boddin and back along the cliffs.
Past Elephant Rock
To the cemetery
Just in time for Freya to chase the train back to Montrose. Did I tell you she loves chasing trains and cars? Oh and if there's a kite flying we just turn round and head in the other direction...
Today I'm linking up with Mosaic Monday at Little Red House. Look forward to joining me in another Walk on the Wild side in Angus.
Elephant Rock by Sam Cartman.
What a great walk and lovely wildflower photos making me wistful for summer - bring it on
ReplyDeleteIt seems a long time ago Elaine. It's a windy walk along a muddy track at the moment.
DeleteWow, what a great surroundings! It could be wild but serene, and the flowers are wild but beautiful. Your photos are also very nicely composed and i love all of them. I smiled when you said, you be your friend did not tell her mother she played in those rockies. I also love to stroll and walk this type of beaches as the rocks let us see lots of marine life, unlike in very sandy beaches.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure when you're a kid you never think about the danger element. It's a great walk and not very well known.
DeleteLovely walk - and stunning painting.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the painting, Sara. It was the one I wanted to buy...
DeleteThe scenery looks beautiful and I do envy anyone who lives near the sea. Freya is obviously very optimistic that she is going to beat that train one day!
ReplyDeleteI've always lived near the sea so it would be difficult to live inland. Freya thinks she seeing the train off so when it disappears, it's mission accomplished. We just have to pretend she's nothing to do with us.
DeleteThanks for taking us along to your walk :) The view of Elephant Rock is stunning! And the cemetery ethereal :)
ReplyDeleteThere are some great walks round here. I was very taken with the mystery of the cemetery perched on the cliff.
DeleteWhat beautiful scenery and wildflowers. I'd love to live close to the sea. I haven't seen the sea since last September and I'm getting withdrawal symptoms.
ReplyDeleteThere is something special about living by the sea....
DeleteWhat a gorgeous place to walk. I definitely saw the elephant in that rock. I love all the wildflowers. I can hardly wait for them to bloom here, but we have a long while to wait yet. There are crocuses peeking their purple heads out, though.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, I have to admit that I didn't see the Elephant until the third visit -it was one of these "Eureka" moments!
DeleteAll I can say is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary.
DeleteBeautiful photos, and Mosaic.
ReplyDeletePat
I love taking photos and I'm never without a camera. And mosaics are fun.
DeleteJust bookmarked this post, Janet. I had never heard or seen elephant rock before - I like - a lot! Thanks for the guide along this route - perhaps we'll take a wander up this way later in the year. Great images of the area :-)
ReplyDeleteMaybe I shouldn't be telling people about it. Seemingly you can walk most of this part of the coast from Arbroath to Montrose. If you wanted to see Elephant rock it's easier to go from Boddin Point or get directions for the other path from me!
DeleteHarebells were one of my nanny's favourite flowers; they always bring a smile to my face. Lovely photos Janet.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the best walks for wild flowers and there were harebells in abundance.
DeleteBeautiful sights! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Julie.
DeleteHarebells are a personal favourite - I grew some from seed once and planted them out, but they all died. Sigh. A nice reminder, Janet of what we've got to look forward to. Dave
ReplyDeleteI agree. There's nothing like an group of these delicate intense blue flowers nodding in the breeze.
ReplyDeleteJanet what a beautiful walk, I notice a lot of wild gerainums as well as all the other lovely flowers, my grandson and his mum would love that rock as they both love elephants and anything elephanty, can I ask permission to download and print it for my grandson as he is also doing coastal erosion at school this term, Frances
ReplyDeleteOf course you can use it Frances. Coastal erosion is big in this part of the world. Parts of the cliffs at St Cyrus have fallen away and there is a house perched precariously close to the edge. And then there is the 9th hole of the Old Montrose Golf course about to fall into the sea.
Deletethanks Janet, Frances
Deleteps forgot to say love your header photo, Frances
ReplyDeleteThanks. I love all these little lichens and fungi.
DeleteStunning scenery, beautiful flowers and interesting buildings, what a fantastic walk you had with Freya. Miss my walks with my old dog, not the same walking by yourself!
ReplyDeleteIf we didn't have a dog we would have really missed out on some of the fabulous walks in Angus. And I expect Visit Scotland to give me a mention...
DeleteScotland IS beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I once took the train from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, but I didn't spot that cemetery; whereabouts is it? He lives in Aberdeen, so if it's to the North end of that train line I might have a chance of dragging him there...
If you blink you'll miss it. The cemetery is about 4 minutes out of Montrose and you have to be sitting on the sea side ie the left. The next station is Arbroath. If you make it over again give us a shout. It is one of the best local walks?
ReplyDeleteI will be back in early April, though with my Mother-in-Law who is not much of a walker, but I'll probably also be over in May once or twice, and I'd love to go for a walk along such a beautiful coastline!
Delete(I found Boddin Point on Google Maps by following the train line from Montrose Southwards...)
We'll be here from 4th of May so if you're over an andd fancy coming to see the garden (it's better in May)and/or a walk, do get in touch. I wonder if you're mother-in-law may find it a bit difficult in one part where it gets muddy. Apart from that it's not a long or difficult walk.
DeleteOh, it's not that she can't walk; she's just not very keen on it as a leisure activity...
DeleteI'll let you know if we come down to Montrose in May!
What a lovely, peaceful place for a cemetry... I feel like I was on the walk with you!
ReplyDeleteIt would have been an interesting experience to have had a group of people with us. It was a lovely warm day...
DeleteStunning, stunning photographs!
ReplyDeleteI'm soooo excited, Janet:)
I also browsed the previous post.
Even the gate of the cemeteries is inspiring.
And I love the amazing Elephant Rock.
So glad that you shared them with all of us:)
Janet, What beautiful pictures! An enjoyable stroll indeed! In response to your question, no I am not always as organized as I am with my seed planting endeavor. I think it is my spring fever hitting me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the beautiful pictures!
Mindy
Very, very scenic. I wish I could visit the area in person.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of lime kilns (which admittedly isn't often) nothing so picturesque has ever popped into mind. The photo of the kiln half-hidden behind...geraniums? is really wonderful.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! Wish I could squeeze into one of the pictures and walk there myself!
ReplyDelete