Nature reserves are some of the best places to enjoy Scotland's natural heritage for they protect an amazing array of wildlife and landscapes.
St Abbs Head is best known for its seabirds, seals, migrant birds, wildflowers and butterflies. There is of course the spectacular scenery. Just view the image gallery on this page and make up your own mind. So accessible and only a few miles from the A1.
People come from far and wide to enjoy the splendours of the National Trust for Scotland's Nature Reserve at St Abbs Head and the property has something to offer everyone all year round.
The coastal scenery is spectacular, the rugged cliffs plunging 90m to the sea affording panoramic views as far as the Isle of May to the north-west, the Farne Islands to the south-east and the Cheviot to the south.
The map show paths primarily in three different colours, yellow, purple and white. If you wish to visit St Abbs Head lighthouse, which is well worth it, then its on the purple path.
Please note that the path shown in white around Mire Loch can be muddy.
At the very start of the walk is Starney Bay, This area is perhaps most famous for its seabirds where tens of thousands of birds jostle for space on the cliffs at the height of the breeding season. It is truly an awesome experience.
With the vaired wildlife the area is a designated a National Nature Reserve, one of only 54 in Scotland, and has designations that reflect its international importance.
St Abbs Head also boasts a cultural history dating back some 3000 years. Perhaps the most notable is Kirk Hill where the remains of St Ebba's Chapel and the later St Abbs Kirk make it an extremely important religious site.
There is also evidence in the landscape of a wider influence by man from the rig and furrow of early argriculture, to the lighthouse, to Mire Loch and even the remains of the lost St Abbs and Coldingham golf course.
The lighthouse here is one of over 200 located around Scotland's wild coastline. Operated and maintained by the Northern Lighthouse Board they warn ships of dangerouse waters and provide safe passage.
After the sinking of the "Martello" on Carr Rock in 1857 the building of a lighthouse on St Abb's Head was recommended by the the Northern Lighthouse Board. The light was first exhibited on the 24th February 1862.
Standing only 9 metres high but 64 metres above sea level. Designed and built by David and Thomas Stevenson.
A principal lightkeeper and two assistants lived in St Abb's head until it was fully automated in 1993. Lightkeeping was a remote, lonely and hard existence.
Eack keeper at night was required to keep watch in the lightroom to ensure that the light flashed correctly to character.
During the day the lightkeepers were responsible for keeping the premises tidy, cleaning and painting etc.
This downhill section of road leading away from the lighthouse has featured in many drama series and films.
This tarmac section of road will take you back to the Nature Centre at Northfield Farm where there is parking.
Today Mire Loch is a valued part of St. Abbs Head National Nature Reserve providing a home for freshwater birds such as little grebe, reed bunting, heron, mute swan, moorhen and sedge warbler. The fringing vegetation which is composed mostly of high reeds provides shelter and food for nesting birds as well as for migrants in spring and autumn. In early summer hundreds of herring gulls and kittiwakes bathe in the loch.
In recent years the NTS has planted almost 1000 trees around the loch in an effort to provide extra cover for migrant birds.
Pettico Wick provided a natural trap for salmon as they swam down the coast. A fishing station operated from 1880 - 1950. The jetty was built to land supplies for the lighthouse.
On nunnery point you will find an archaeological site once thought to be the site of Abbe's monestry. Protected by a rock ditch and mortared stone wall which can still be seen in places.
Mire Loch was once a bog or mire with rainwater flowing down from the hills on either side. Mire loch was created around 1900 by damming the valley mire. A nine hole golf course was constructed nearby. Some evidence of this still remains today.
While difficult for the National Trust to improve the cliff homes for all the seabirds it can manage the land behind the cliffs to improve its wildlife value.
Grazing by sheep has to be controlled as overgrazing causes erosion and the the spread of invasive plants while undergrazing leads to the loss of short turf plants.
Many native trees have been planted around Mire Loch. Oak, Birch and Rowan to name but a few.
The Reserve has to be managed for people to see, enjoy and learn about wildlife.
Where there is a conflict the Ranger service raises awareness whilst promoting a solution.
For example, during the breeding season it is important to keep well back from the cliff edges so as not to cause the nesting birds undue stress which may result in fewer fledged chicks.
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