Lunan Bay

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Lunan Water

Back to telling the story of our Easter vacation on the Angus coast! Lunan Bay is a stunning sweep of golden sand between two craggy headlands. As a bonus, there are the ruins of Red Castle perched above it. A stroll to the castle and then along the beach made for a peaceful afternoon outing.

The Bay is divided by the Lunan Water, and as the ruins are on the other side from the beach carpark we had a short stretch of road walking first before taking a path uphill to the Castle. Originally established in the 12th century by William the Lion, what remains now is a fragment of wall from the 13th century and the precarious remains of a 15th century tower. So not much castle to look at, but it’s a good vantage point for looking down on Lunan Water as it streams out onto the Bay.

Red Castle
View through castle “window”
Lunan Water from Red Castle

Descending the other side of the hill took us onto the beach itself where 2km of sand stretched ahead of us. We could also look back at the castle.

Lunan Bay
Red Castle from Lunan Bay

We watched these little fellas enjoying themselves running in and out of the waves.

Lunan Bay
Lunan Bay

At the southern end of the Bay we reached Corbie Knowe, a haphazard collection of beach huts, cabins and caravans. We took a path which climbed behind it onto the headland.

Corbie Knowe
Corbie Knowe
Corbie Knowe

On the way we passed a bench with an interesting inscription: The sun is on the limekilns. This refers to nearby Boddin Point with its 18th century stone kilns, accessible on another walk which we didn’t have time to do.

Corbie Knowe bench
The sun is on the limekilns

We continued along the coast to the hamlet of Ethie Haven, originally fishermen’s cottages but now (judging by the accents of those we met) probably holiday homes.

Ethie Haven
Ethie Haven

After a short time sitting on the tiny pebble beach hoping to spot seals (we didn’t) it was time to retrace our steps back to the car.

Next time I will have some inland walks for you.

Scotland, UK , ,

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  2. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Ripley Castle, North Yorkshire | Still Restlessjo

  3. This looks a stunning place Anabel – from the pictures it looks like there was hardly a soul around! The old castle has a magnificent view of the beach. Lovely photos of the birds splashing about in the water too 🙂

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  10. Lovely walk and I am always in awe of the beauty of Scotland. Thanks for the virtual tour and it really shows that it has been too long since our last trip to Scotland…though there are so many other places we want to visit that I think it will be a while before we go back to Scotland. (Suzanne)

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  11. Hi Anabel – yes that looks cool … but a delightful area to visit … beautiful sands with a history of early modern life … what a great place to visit – cheers Hilary

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  12. Looks lovely. I like the look of Corbie knowe and Ethie Haven. I have seen sanderlings running in and out of the waves before, little cuties. 🙂

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  13. Good to see that the catch up is coming along nicely. I think it’s brilliant the world still has quiet shores for birds to flock without too many humans annoying them. I love a good deserted beach for walks. Very fond memories of visiting a few up in Scotland. Enjoy the warmth we are heading into a cool week with 4 deg mornings brrrr.

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  14. Looks a lovely place. The north east of Scotland is one area I’ve not visited much due to its lack of mountains near the coast. Remember being disappointed visiting Torridon, Skye, Plockton etc 45 years ago expecting to meet real Highlanders and even then it was mostly incomers from the home counties or the north east of England. Bet several million more will be moving up here now the south east of the UK,, Spain, France, Italy etc… is turning into a brown arid desert every summer. A no brainer when you can sell a modest 3 bed house down in London’s suburbs, buy a luxury flat or a holiday home up here and retire comfortably on the rest of the selling price..

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    • We’ve only really done much exploration of the east coast in the last few years. I don’t remember this part being other than typically Scottish, but when we were in Cromarty a couple of weeks ago it seemed most of the businesses were run by people who had moved there, including a Dutchman who had a magnificent cheese shop! I don’t object to that in principle, but I think something has to be done to protect local people being priced out.

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  20. What a beautiful place, I’m not at all surprised people have snapped up old places as holiday homes there!

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  22. I was going to say knot or sanderlings, too. I love sanderlings. Best described as a team of footballers running around on the water’s edge 🙂
    Lunan Bay looks like my sort of place. Sigh.

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  23. The little fellows are dunlin & sanderlings I think Haven’t been to Lunan Bay since I was at Aberdeen Grammar 57-61

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